Below some articles and stories related to the painful issues of euthanasia and berievement.

Please note that the contents are not composed by myself, but quoted from various websites , who support "HAC", and have given their permisssion to display these articles.

MAKING THE DIFFICULT DECISION

How can we make that difficult decision to end the life of a Pet whom we have loved and nurtured, played with and lived with? The Pet may have been with us for a short time or for many years. It may protect us, serve us or just be there when we need something to cuddle.
Our domestic pets have maintained many of their "wild" instincts. One of the most important instincts, however, is to mask pain and illness. Many pet owners advised that their pet is suffering from a serious disease, comment "But he's not acting very sick"; what happens to a wild dog or cat that "acts sick"? Invariably they are killed by other animals -- sometimes even by members of their own pack.
When we have to make that final decision we feel guilty, we are torn by feelings of helplessness, guilt, anger and sometimes the misguided notion that we owe it to the pet to keep it alive at all costs. How can I tell my veterinarian to give my pet an injection that will kill it?
When a pet becomes ill or is seriously injured, we must make a decision based on several factors. We must set realistic limits which include emotional expense to the pet's family, physical costs to the pet, and many times, unfortunately, financial cost. It is best for the family members, or the single owner, to sit down with all the facts in front of them and, as rationally as possible, set those limits. This is the fairest thing pet owners can do for the pet and for themselves.
So, we come to that difficult decision-making time, we have to decide what is best for the pet, regardless of the decision, we face the possibility of feeling guilty because we made the wrong one.
We feel guilty if we elect to have our pet euthanized. We feel guilty if we choose treatment and its unsuccessful. We should put ourselves in our Pet's position. "What would I want done if I were in this situation"?
If an owner, after evaluating all the available information, decides euthanasia is necessary, he or she must tell the veterinarian. In those cases, the owner must realize that sometimes we have to love our Pets enough to let them go.

REASONS FOR EUTHANASIA

We are never quite prepared for the death of a pet. Whether death is swift and unexpected or whether it comes at the end of a slow decline, we are never fully aware of what a pet has brought to our lives until our companion is gone.
Our involvement with the final outcome may be passive. We may simply not pursue medical or surgical treatment in an aging pet. Perhaps its ailment has no cure and the best we can do is alleviate some of its suffering so that it may live the remainder of its days in relative comfort. An illness or accident may take it suddenly.
Everyone secretly hopes for a pet's peaceful passing, hoping to find it lying in its favorite spot in the morning. The impact of a pet's death is significantly increased when, as responsible and loving caretakers, we decide to have the pet euthanized.
Euthanasia is the induction of painless death. In veterinary practice, it is accomplished by intravenous injection of a concentrated dose of anesthetic. The animal may feel slight discomfort when the needle tip passes through the skin, but this is no greater than for any other injection. The euthanasia solution takes only seconds to induce a total loss of consciousness. This is soon followed by respiratory depression and cardiac arrest.
Doctors of veterinary medicine do not exercise this option lightly. Their medical training and professional lives are dedicated to diagnosis and treatment of disease. Veterinarians are keenly aware of the balance between extending an animal's life and its suffering. Euthanasia is the ultimate tool to mercifully end a pet's suffering.
To request euthanasia of a pet is probably the most difficult decision a pet owner can make. All the stages of mourning may flood together, alternating rapidly. We may resent the position of power. We may feel angry at our pet for forcing us to make the decision. We may postpone the decision, bargaining with ourselves that if we wait another day, the decision will not be necessary. Guilt sits heavily on the one who must decide. The fundamental guideline is to do what is best for your pet, even if you suffer in doing this. Remember that as much as your pet has the right to a painless death, you have the right to live a happy life.
Each of us mourns differently, some more privately than others, and some recover more quickly. Some pet owners find great comfort in acquiring a new pet soon after the loss of another. Others, however, become angry at the suggestion of another pet. They may feel that they are being disloyal to the memory of the preceding pet. Do not rush into selecting a replacement pet. Take the time to work through your grief.
To help you to prepare for the decision to euthanize your pet, consider the following questions. They are intended as a guide; only you can decide what is the best solution for you and your pet. Take your time. Speak with your veterinarian. Which choice will bring you the least cause for regret after the pet is gone?
Consider the following:
What is the current quality of my pet's life?

Is my pet still eating well? Playful? Affectionate toward me?

Is my pet interested in the activity surrounding it?

Does my pet seem tired and withdrawn most of the time?

Is my pet in pain?

Is there anything I can do to make my pet more comfortable?

Are any other treatment options available?

If a behavioral problem has led me to this decision, have I sought the expertise of a veterinary behavior consultant?

Do I still love my pet the way I used to, or am I angry and resentful of the restrictions its condition has placed on my lifestyle?

Does my pet sense that I am withdrawing from it?

What is the quality of my life and how will this change?

Will I want to be present during the euthanasia?

Will I say goodbye to my pet before the euthanasia because it is too painful for me to assist?

Will I want to wait in the reception area until it is over?

Do I want to be alone or should I ask a friend to be present?

Do I want any special burial arrangements made?

Can my veterinarian store the body so that I can delay burial arrangements until later?

Do I want to adopt another pet?

Do I need time to recover from this loss before even considering another pet?
THE FIVE MAIN CRITERIA FOR EUTHANASIA
1. CAN YOUR PET WALK ON ITS OWN AND HOW MUCH PAIN DOES IT SUFFER WHEN WALKING?
2. HOW ARE ITS SIGHT AND HEARING AND WHAT IS THE PROSPECT THAT THESE PROBLEMS CAN BE REVERSED?
3. IS THERE IRREVERSIBLE ORGAN DAMAGE, IE: HEART, KIDNEY, LIVER, OR BRAIN DAMAGE?
4. IS THERE ANY HUMANE VETERINARY TREATMENT AVAILABLE?
5. IS INCONTINENCE THROUGH URINARY OR BOWEL CONTROL A PROBLEM?
The final decision must be made by all members of the family, you may have to overcome your feeling of love for the pet and consider what is fairest for him. Do not let your emotions override the fact that your pet may be leading a painful, suffering life.

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http://www.pets2rest.co.uk/pets.htm

The Loss of a Companion Animal

Your animal companion is a member of your family. So, much like the death of a parent, sibling, spouse, or dear friend, the grief over the loss of an animal companion can be overwhelming and even debilitating. Unfortunately, society has been slow to recognize formalized rituals for animal deaths. Companies usually don’t include nonhuman companions in their bereavement-leave policies. Your friends, family, and coworkers may seem indifferent and unsympathetic. With seemingly nowhere to turn for support, animal caretakers sometimes feel ashamed and try to hide their grief. When faced with loss, keeping your feelings to yourself or denying them altogether can be unhealthy. Fortunately, there are ways to cope.
Different Kinds of Loss
Death can happen expectedly, after a long-term illness or when age has taken its toll. Equally painful are unexpected deaths, such as vehicle accidents or fatal injuries. When human error or maliciousness are to blame for an animal’s demise, feelings of guilt or anger can complicate an already devastating time. If there is a question of wrongful death, do not rule out legal proceedings. State laws are constantly improving with regard to animal abuse and compensation for the loss of companion animals. Visit your state’s legislative Web site for more information. Perhaps your dog was stolen or your cat was accidentally let out or simply disappeared, leaving you without the ability to say goodbye or the knowledge of his or her whereabouts and safety. Divorce, college, or other kinds of forced separation can also prompt feelings of grief.
When Death Is a Decision
If your animal companion’s quality of life has diminished to the point where therapy or medicine is no longer able to help, euthanasia is the only humane choice. Discuss this option thoroughly with your veterinarian. Once you have resolved to end your friend’s suffering, insist on being with him or her during the procedure. Ask about sedative options in order to make your companion’s passing as stress-free as possible. As devastating as it may seem, euthanasia is never a mistake. Delaying, in the hope that one more day might make a difference, may actually mean just one more day of distress. Your friend may feel your pain, too, and try to hold on for your sake. Dealing with these emotions, and especially the guilt afterwards, is a journey unto itself.
Stages of Grief
Psychologists and philosophers have studied the grieving process for centuries but have only recently truly begun to explore the effects of death in the relationships between humans and companion animals. Medical students are still expected to read Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’ On Death and Dying.1 Her landmark work from the 1960s defines five stages of grief: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.2 Most contemporary doctors agree that the linear progression of stages should only be used as a guide for understanding grief and death, since the mourning process is unique to each person. There should be no timetable for getting through your heartache, nor should you feel as if something is wrong if you skip a stage or find yourself moving in and out of stages. Guilt is a common emotion throughout the process—guilt over the decision to euthanize, guilt for not closing the door properly or for allowing your dog to run without a leash, and even guilt for feeling better, as if letting go is a betrayal. Healthy grieving means getting through your pain, not letting it take over your life, and eventually remembering your companion fondly.
Where to Find Comfort
Don’t hesitate to ask for help dealing with your heartache. Solace is to be found in a number of places. Support groups are springing up everywhere, some sponsored by professionals, and can give you the opportunity to share your feelings with people who understand your pain. There are help lines that you can call and many books for adults and children that deal with losing an animal companion. Some veterinary schools are increasing their efforts to help alleviate animal caretakers’ grief and have social workers on hand for counseling. The Internet is a wonderful resource for helping you find groups, individual grief counselors, and even chatrooms. Sympathetic family and friends can be a great source of comfort, too. They probably have known your nonhuman companion for as long as you have and can share fond memories.
Saying Goodbye
A burial service can provide closure. There are hundreds of pet cemeteries around the world as well as several companies that manufacture coffins, urns, and grave markers for companion animals. If you decide on a home burial, however, you must first check with city and county ordinances to determine the legality of interment. Your veterinarian can also dispose of the body but you may want to ask about the clinic’s policy. Space or legal limitations may necessitate developing your own method of remembrance. Your veterinarian can recommend an animal crematory center, enabling you to keep the remains in an urn for a private memorial at your companion’s favorite park or beach.
You’re Not the Only One Hurting
There is a natural tendency for parents to try to protect their children from the painful experience of death. Parents make up stories about animals’ “running away” or “going to live on a farm.” Euthanasia shouldn’t be explained as “putting to sleep,” as children might begin to fear bedtime. But the animal’s absence, for whatever reason the child believes, can still prompt feelings of guilt, anger, sadness, and confusion. Age will determine a child’s ability to grasp the concept of death, but simple, straightforward explanations and a willingness to answer questions and listen will help any child work through a difficult situation. Consult your veterinarian or pediatrician for resources on explaining animal loss to children.
Don’t forget your other animal companions. They won’t necessarily understand what happened to their friend, so consider allowing your surviving animal companions to view the body of the deceased so that they, too, can attain closure. It is not unusual for the animals who are left behind to show signs of depression such as loss of appetite or strange sleeping patterns, or they may search for their friend. Try to maintain their regular routines and encourage physical activities. Don’t rush into adopting another animal for your surviving animal companions’ sake. They need time to grieve, too, and introducing a new family member too soon may cause more stress.
If You Know Someone Who Has Lost an Animal Companion
The most important things that you can do are to listen and to be sympathetic. Refrain from asking when he or she is going to get another animal. Encourage your friend or relative to recount fond memories and write down important dates in his or her nonhuman companion’s life. Send a condolence card; there are lots of them specifically made for this situation. You can also make a donation to an animal-related organization in the companion’s name. And check up on your friend to see how he or she is doing.

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