"Longer goodbye for beloved pets, and their owners; Hospice care among options for sick animals" by Matt Richtel | New York Times, December 01, 2013
NEW YORK — More and more, cats and dogs get the human treatment. There are pet spas, pet therapists, pet clothes. And as it goes in life, so it now goes in the twilight. The latest phenomenon: pet hospice.
Across the country, a growing number of veterinarians are offering hospice care, and marketing it as a way to give cats and dogs — and their owners — a less anxious, more comfortable passing.
The approach, in the spirit of the human variety, entails ceasing aggressive medical treatment and giving pain and even antianxiety drugs. Unlike in hospice care for humans, euthanasia is an option — and in fact, is a big part of this end-of-life turn. When it’s time, the vet performs it in the living room, bedroom, or wherever the family feels comfortable.
That is a big part of the job, the veterinarians say, relieving pet owner guilt, giving them an emotional bridge to a pet’s death, and letting them grieve at home — rather than in a clinic or animal shelter. The intimacy carries a premium, sometimes costing 25 percent or more than euthanasia in a clinic. Vets, and their customers, say it can be worth it.
“They’re in their own environment, not only the pet but the owners,” said Dr. Mary Gardner, co-founder of Lap of Love, a Florida-based company that is one of the leaders in a small but growing market....
I want to emphasize that I'm not opposed to this because I personally know of situations where this has been valuable; what I'm opposed to, and I suppose it is something that has spoiled the whole relationship, is the never-ending agenda-pu$hing and bu$ine$$ promotion in nearly everything coming at me from my whoreporate pre$$.
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Like I said, it's an honorable service people are willing to pay for, fine. I guess I'm just sick of reading about anything in my corporate pre$$ these days. Maybe it is time to bury them.
