E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
John Moore / Getty Images
Cris Cristofaro looks over a puppy photo of his dog Dino as veterinarian Wendy McCulloch prepares to perform an in-home pet euthanasia. Cristofaro, a New York City artist, made the difficult decision to end Dino's life when oral cancer became unbearable for his 12-year-old Italian Spinone.
John Moore / Getty Images
Cris Cristofaro holds his dog Dino as veterinarian Wendy McCulloch checks his heartbeat after performing an in-home euthanasia on Thursday. End of life issues have become increasingly important for pet owners, as advanced medical treatments and improved nutrition are extending pets lives well into old age. McCulloch runs Pet Requiem, a home veterinary service designed to provide geriatric care and in-home euthanasia for dying pets in the New York and New Jersey area. Many pet owners are choosing such in-home care to try and provide a humane and compassionate "good death" for their beloved pets.
John Moore / Getty Images
Cris Cristofaro weeps over his dog Dino after veterinarian Wendy McCulloch euthanized the 12-year-old Italian Spinone.
The same photographer, John Moore of Getty Images, recently had images in PhotoBlog from a pet cemetery in New York.
Leave a Comment:
Soft husky wooos Chris,
RA
so sorry :(
What a wonderful vet. Most of my elderly animals have died at home in our arms. It is so much kinder for them to pass in their own homes where they feel love and safe. I think this is something that more vets should be willing to do. The animals get very tense when they are brought to the vet.
is Obama a dog?
No. But evidently you're a cockroach crawling on a keyboard.
Tiger, No, he's a human Kenyan.
Oh my gosh, the tears are streaming down my face. Seeing this kind man taking this step for the sake of his dog is almost more than I can bear. I have had to put dogs down and this just brought it all back like it was happening today.
My last time 8 years ago. I put down, Jack, my sheltie. He helped me raise my son. Jack made our lives all make sense somehow. I couldn't have done it without him. When he lost his hearing it was ok, he knew hand signals and love. When he was going blind he knew love. When he started showing signs of confusion-dementia he was losing the security of the love. I could not watch him be afraid for one second more. It took me 5 years to get another dog. Sara is another herd dog, 3 years old. She had been abused and finally this year seeks out my touch. She is so happy now she has trouble walking with her tail wagging so hard. It was a hard road for her. She will do anything I ask of her, except stop digging up my rose garden. What can I say? I know I will at some time have to walk down the path of life without her.
To have my Vet come to my house to put her down, would be so much better. I know I will have to try and not succeed in sobbing at the office when I have to do it. My old vet had a side door so we didn't have to walk in in front of our neighbors and other customers with our pets, then carry them past them again on our way out trying to be composed. I don't know, it just is plain painful.
I've done this many times. So many and yet it never gets easier. I'm facing it four more times and not replacing any more animals (Kitties). I can't bear the pain - even the thought is painful. So sorry for your loss Cris, you dear man.
Sues-343312: No, it never gets any easier and each and every dear cat or dog will be special to you for as long as you live but why refuse to allow another to love you and you to love another? Is the life of that animal not worth the enrichment and pleasure that a loving and caring relationship brings? I too, have faced the painful decision to say "good-bye" to much loved dogs and cats and some were taken from me suddenly but all have been painful and still cause grief. However, there is not one of my pets that I would have chosen to not have in order to avoid the pain of separation-we had too much fun together during the years we had.
My sister had both of her dogs put down at home. I plan on doing the same.
I am so sorry your best friend has passed but he is still there with you always.
Pets are such a precious part of our lives. I'm so sorry for your loss.
My heart goes out to you Chris....I cant imagine how difficult this must be for you...=(
My friend is an understatement, he was always with me, supporting all my actions just because they were my actions, he confided in me as I did to him, and he became old.
In pack societies the old, the infirm, leave the pack to die, otherwise they will be killed by the pack. My friend went beyond this instinct to stay with me, I cut his flesh off, his ear off, bathed him in antiseptics to save him, I realized I was keeping him alive for me.
I shot him, he could never stand a vet clinic, did not know what a highway was, a road, a collar, but ran free his entire life on his own property, always coming back to me. He did not know I pulled the trigger, a trigger I would rather have pulled on myself.
It has been 9 years, I can not say his name. I will never have a friend again until I am sure I will die before him. I am old, after surgery the doctors say I have 10 years, 15 the most, that was 2 years ago, I may have another friend soon.
This story has me in tears! Pets are a part of the family, and quickly become rooted in our hearts. My dog is one of my best friends, and I swear he can read me better than most people. I have taken too many "loved ones" to the vet clinic to relieve their pain and discomfort at the end of their lives. While it's the circle of life it never gets easier, and it's hard to say goodbye.
Anyone who has had to have a pet put to sleep can relate to this. It is almost to painful for me to look at these photos. I had to have a dog with cancer put down last year.
Yes animals leave paw prints across our hearts and entwine our lives forever....been down this path many a time and there will be more to come....so make the most of our animal friends and when the end comes I will be there as I was at the beginning....Blessings to Chris and Dino...
I think this is a great service. I know myself that taking a animal to the vet to be euthanized is a stressful event. You know I think elderly people would best be served by this service.
I have a vet friend, whos been kind to me with my dogs over the years in this way! THANKS PETE!
those pictures are really tough to look at.
Really people no need for stoopid right wing politics here.
To Cris Cristofaro,
I am so glad your friend was able to spend his last hours at his home with you. I am so very very sorry for your loss. I hope you are able to, in your oiwn time, find another friend to cherish as you did Dino.
Love and healing thoughts to you.
My heart goes out to Cris - I've been there twice with my Tibby and Chappy (cats). Pets are part of the family and there for you no matter what. Cris and Dino will meet again on Rainbow Bridge. God Bless them both.
When you get old like I am your dog becomes your child. I would find it easier to put myself down than to see Jack be put down. Why don't the folks above bringing politics in this go over the political website where someone might care you think (if you are capable of thinking and I have seen no indication that you are).