#Middlebury #Pets
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I don’t understand this trend of making a “bucket list” of things to see and do with a dog once they get old or ill. Why bother? Does the dog understand that it’s supposed to be checking off this list? Why didn’t the owner make the time to do these things when their pet was younger and healthier? I think owners should just concentrate on making their pets comfortable. – Dottie J., Philadelphia
DEAR DOTTIE: There’s a car commercial that ran on U.S. television where an owner takes his beloved senior dog on a road trip to do a whole bunch of things on a list, like run on the beach, play Frisbee, eat steak and have one final adventure. It’s a nice spot, but its goal is to sell cars, not bucket lists.
I can tell you that most pet “bucket lists” are much tamer and nothing to get grumpy about. Most owners concentrate on keeping their pets happy and comfortable in their final months. If they’re able to get around without too much pain, a trip to the park or the beach is certainly a possibility. If a dog can keep a steak down, or a cat enjoy a piece of fish (or Doritos, one of my cats’ favorite treats), even better.
Reading comments from veterinarians about pets’ last days, it is clear that being with their owner to the end is a great comfort to pets. A bucket list is fine if it maximizes time spent with a pet to let them know they’re loved and cared for. Talk with the vet to understand the best ways to keep pets happy and as pain-free as possible.
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© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.
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