Before I put my dog down, the vet went over everything that would happen. According to him, Shep would be given a sedative, but what he would be given would be an overdose of the sedative. The sedative would allow him to slowly fall asleep with no pain.
Maybe they should offer the option of a sedative to the owners as well. Not an overdose, of course, but just enough to help the pain go away. Perhaps something that you could self administer with the push of a button every time you hit one of those painful moments. Someone says "sorry about your dog" (push); you need to put away all of his toys and grooming combs (push) and figure out what to do with all the dog food you just purchased before he died (double push.).
I am not serious, of course. I also know that going through the pain is helpful. It is a necessary part of the grieving process. And I know crying, even at the worst possible times, can be helpful, too. I just spent an hour talking to my apartment manager who had lost her own dog less than a year ago. She patiently listened to me and understood my need to break down every few minutes. That in itself made me feel better.
Killing the pain seems easy, but I know you never kill the pain; it comes back when you least expect it. Processing it, while difficult, is best. In time, the painful reminders will be replaced by warm memories of a wonderful companion who brightened by life in the years he spent with me.
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