<1.5 minute read.
Love is inevitably intertwined with heartbreak. We give ourselves over to love and to be loved, and while logically, we know that life is finite, the death of someone you love is heartbreaking.
Our guest blogger today shares their story of perhaps one of the most significant acts of love – being courageous and showing compassion to another, resulting in own heartbreak.
In their own words …
It was very obvious that our precious Shih Tzu was not well. She was no longer her playful, energetic and affectionate self. Many visits to the vet, numerous tests and scans did not reveal any major illness, only lethargy.
As her health continued to decline, we discussed to possibility of euthanasia. My partner resisted and said correctly that she was only 12 and that this breed lives to be 17-18 years old. I quickly gave in, but the decline continued so our vet suggested an overnight stay in the vet hospital where further tests would be done. We agreed but once again nothing specific was identified.
We had another difficult conversation about putting her to sleep. Once again, my partner resisted and argued that we would never forgive ourselves if we acted too soon without a diagnosis. Again I agreed and hoped for the best, but the decline continued to the point where it became obvious that our precious pet was no longer enjoying her life.
I decided to insist that it was time to act so as to save her from any further misery. This time my partner agreed. It had been one of the most difficult decisions of my life but in our hearts, we knew we had done the right, hard thing even though we did not want to. Was it courage or compassion or maybe both?
– Anon.
Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for being my mentor, my role-model, my support, my friend.
@CourageChick
Leading with courage 