A recent story in the Washington Post detailed the growing popularity of at-home euthanasia for family pets. 
It came as a bit of a surprise to read this well written article, since the at-home choice has been around for quite some time. There are a fair number of veterinarians, some who specialize in this sad but necessary service, practicing in this area.
Apparently in other parts of the country, the concept is relatively new. For anyone who has faced this difficult choice at the end of their pet companion’s life, the stories in the article may trigger some bittersweet memories.
You may be wondering if the tone of these posts have taken a turn towards the morbid. That certainly is not the intention! We recently linked to a touching NPR essay and audio file about the loss of a pet on our Facebook page. It’s just a coincidence that these stories come in the same month.
You do not need to have lost a pet recently to take some comfort in these articles. The joy we get from our pets during their short lives always comes to an end sooner than we’d choose. We hope reading about these shared experiences will make you appreciate both the time you have and the time you’ve shared with your furry family members.
Look into our local organization, the Animal Hospice, End of Life and Palliative Care Project to find information, education, and a community of like minded animal lovers who are anticipating the loss of an animal friend. I loved the NPR essay you mentioned!
michelle