News broke this week that Paralympian Marieke Vervoort has carried out her wishes for euthanasia in her home country of Belgium, where euthanasia has been legalized.
Passing at the age of only 40, Vervoort won medals at the London 2012 and the Rio de Janeiro games in 2016 in wheelchair racing.
By all accounts, this woman suffered terribly during her life with a form of progressive tetraplegia, losing more function as the days passed. She was in constant pain and also suffered epileptic seizures.
Marieke also shared her life with a Labrador named Zenn. Zenn was credited with helping her to carry groceries, bringing her items of clothing, and warning her of impending seizures.
So my thoughts are now with Zenn, who has lost her human companion.
There are many dogs working around the world as assistance and emotional support dogs and – since they are sentient creatures like us – I’m quite sure that they feel the loss of their loved ones.
Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
DoggyMom.com 