SAYING GOODBYE

By Linda Arndt

In my many years of owning, loving and raising Great Danes, no decision is more difficult or more painful than knowing the right time to have a pet euthanized. I have gone through the complete cycle of whelping, raising, aging, dying and finally grieving. Just recently, after a prolonged illness, I had to make a difficult decision to euthanize my 3-year-old fawn male. I have been through this before and in most ways it doesn't make it any easier - yet I realized because of my experience, I am much better equipped to handle the loss of a beloved pet than someone who is new to the breed.

So this information is for them. It is something I discuss with any potential puppy buyer, along with other important information such as diet, bloat and training. For this heartbreak breed, I feel it is important for any new Great Dane owner to think through the total commitment that is necessary for these animals - from housebreaking to final arrangements.

For many years I had been seeking an appropriate way to grieve over the loss of one of my dogs. Society does not offer a pet owner a great deal of sympathy. When a person dies, there is usually family and friends present to assist in comfort. I know the tremendous grief I felt when I lost my first Dane and I also realize that is why I have always surrounded myself with several others of various ages - so I would never be without a Great Dane.

When a pet dies there is no social ritual to formalize grief, still the loss of a pet affects our emotions because they are a part of the family. At some point, final arrangements will have to be made in order to say a proper good-bye.

It has taken several years for me to become brave enough to be RIGHT there, to hold and touch my animal as they are being put to sleep. I have never had to go through the euthanasia process without an animal friend, so I do feel fortunate for that gift. Some of my earlier dogs were buried in a friend's kennel. But in later years, I have chosen to have the animals cremated and kept their precious containers stored away ... only because I couldn't quite figure out what to do with them! There had to be a better way to celebrate their lives and conclude the life cycle. I discussed this with other Dane friends who were running into the same dilemma. It wasn't until a following Spring when we were getting the yard ready for planting that we came to an idea that seemed to be a meaningful solution.

Our ritual consisted of digging a hole for the animal, working the ashes into the soil and planting a beautiful flowering plant or fruit tree over the remains. Now we have a beautiful orchard and rose garden that celebrates the memory of our beloved animals. For me, it is a wonderful way to conclude a grieving process and the living trees are a living tribute to our beloved Danes. It has become especially meaningful when I see a new litter of puppies lying in the shade of one of those trees or running through my flower garden - it completes the cycle and I feel they are still with me in some way.

For further information, free of charge, you can write for a copy of "Death Of A Family Pet/Losing A Friend". Send your request to the Alpo Pet Center, Inc., P. O. Box 2187, Allentown, PA 18001.

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Linda Arndt
Blackwatch Great Danes
Email: GrDaneLady@aol.com