One Last Gift

Here at the Adel Veterinary Clinic, our doctors & staff face death on a daily basis. It does not make it any easier and takes a piece of us each time. We feel 100% that euthanasia is a gift to prevent ongoing suffering from a terminal disease. We mourn alongside you as you say your final goodbyes, having made the heroic choice to end the pain and suffering of your best friend. We are honored that you allow us to be with you during this most sensitive time for your family. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible during this process. Let's go over your options. 

 

Decisions to discuss with the family may include:

1. Would you like to be present?
   This is a personal choice & no matter what, your pet will be treated with the respect & care he/she deserves with our team.
   
   
2. Would you like your pet cremated? 
   Private or Group & With or Without cremains returned
   Private means: your pet will be the only one cremated, & then his/her cremains will be returned to Adel Veterinary Clinic within 1 week. We will notify you when your pet is ready to return home with the family. 
   Group means: communal cremains are scattered at Loving Rest's cemetery, in their Memorial Scatter Garden. Their cemetery is open 365 days a year during daylight hours.
   
   
3. Would you rather take your pet back home with you? 
   Please check with your local city ordinances about home pet burials. You can also check out Loving Rest Burial packages.  
   
   
4. Where would you like to say goodbye? 
   
   1. In Clinic
   2. Outside at the Clinic
   3. At Home 
      
      
5. Would you like to bring along their bonded buddy? 
   Pets go through a grieving process just like us humans. By allowing them to have one last sniff they may get the closure they need. We welcome you to bring any pet you'd like to say good-bye.   
   
   
6. Payment
   • Virtually in the comfort of your own home with our app
   • Over the phone
   • Upon arrival at the clinic

We understand it can be incredibly difficult to say goodbye to your beloved pet only to have to return back to that same exam room with a different pet. We created a special room to provide you & your fur baby an extra layer of comfort during your final moments.

If you so wish, Adel Vet Clinic would like to offer you the following items at no charge: (please let us know how many) 

• Fur Clipping
  
• Paw Print - your choice of color(s) 
• Nose Print - your choice of color(s)
      
• A small donation will be made in your pet's honor to the puppyjakefoundation.org/  This charity helps our veterans get a professional trained service dog when necessary. 
  
  

Grief Counseling Options: 

• Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement: www.APLB.org
  
• Pet Loss Grief Support, Rainbow Bridge & Candle Ceremony:
  http://www.petloss.com/

 

 

Euthanasia Process:

Our team is with you & your beloved friend. At this time, we will take a moment to make sure all your questions are answered. Please let us know if you have any further questions, then we will begin the process. 

Phase 1 - Sedation
We find it most helpful if we give your fur baby just a little bit of medication to help them relax. Not that euthanasia hurts, we just want them to be totally with you in their last moments. We may take your pet to the treatment area to shave a little hair off the leg, place a catheter, & administer the sedation medication. Then we will bring your pet right back to you & leave you with a door bell to let us know when you are ready. Once you push the button, we will hear the sound & come back to start the next phase. 

This picture is from our good-bye ceremony with our beloved Smush Face (clinic cat) who lived to be an AMAZING 20 years old. We had to say her good-bye in our treatment area vs. our comfort room because of ALL her loved ones that wished to be present. 

Phase 2 - Injection of the Euthanasia

You are ready & have chosen to stay. We will give the solution in the IV while your pet is on your lap or at your feet. You will be hugging, talking, & loving on your pet the entire time. Then he/she will go peacefully over the rainbow bridge until you meet again. Your doctor will then listen carefully to confirm your beloved pet is truly gone. 

 

Phase 3 - Peace for your Pet, but Painful for all the Humans

You get to stay as long as you'd like with your pet. Once you are ready, feel free to leave out the side door of the comfort room & our team will finish out the rest of your wishes. We will keep your pet in a temperature-controlled area until they are picked up by Loving Rest. If you selected to have your pet privately cremated with ashes returned, you can expect a call from our office within 7 business days. You will receive your pet's fur clippings & colored prints within a week in the mail. 

 In closing, we hope you know how sad we are for you & your family for the loss of friend. Thank you for allowing us to help you through this difficult process. If you can think of anything else we could do to make this process better, please feel free to discuss them with us before or after. We would like to leave you with these kind words...

 "Goodbye, dear friend, I did my best for you,
I loved you every second of my life.
Maybe I did beg a bit, but I only wanted
to enjoy the same things you did.
Every day we were together
was the best day of my life,
and I was never happier
than when I could just be with you.
I am waiting for you now,
this is a beautiful place.
My life is gentle, peaceful, and, yes,
a little lonesome.
Join me when you do, no hurry.
Watching you is still what I do best.
Take time for rainbows,
They remind you I am here.
Close your eyes and think of me,
I am not far away.
Live every day like we had it to share,
my joy lies in yours.
Our hearts are together,
even if for now we cannot be."

– Written by Jim Johnson
Owner of LovingRest Pet Funeral Home