Letters to the Editor
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Dignity matters
I've not read any other posts, as I don't want them to influence what I write here. This is a very personal subject for me, indeed is for anyone who has had to euthanize a pet. I, however, put down a beloved cat who was not in pain. This is why.
Sam was 17 years old, was suffering hyperthyroidism, and had begun to lose control of his sphincter. Tiny little spots of feces were appearing in the oddest places, and I was due to give birth to my daughter in a month's time. Honestly, I'd not noticed much of the sphincter-related problems (old cats = everyday accidents), but an old friend came to visit and noticed that Sam was looking frail, thin, and shaky in the legs.
My vet -- bless his heart every single day -- examined my cat, took one look at my belly, and said, "Have you considered putting him down?" I asked why, was he that sick, was he in pain? No, but he was on a downward slide and would only get worse, soon unable to walk. The vet pointed out that I could not deal with sphincter problems and a newborn at the same time; I also had another cat, a diabetic needing daily shots, not as sick but adding to the "burden". Still, I didn't know what to do or think. And then the vet said this:
"If you put him down now, he dies with dignity. He will never be robbed of his legs. He will never soil himself. He will never feel pain. He will move on peacefully, while he's still happy, and who wouldn't want that?"
It's been over three years, and yet I still weep when I think of Sam. Yes, I put him down. I held him in my arms right there and watched him go. And I still don't know if I did the right thing. But his dignity did matter, as did my ability to deal with his ill health. And I knew, from having put a cat through major surgery just to put her down anyway, that animals do not suffer through pain as humans do. The best thing we can do for them is make sure they do not suffer at all -- don't wait until there is pain, but preempt it.
An eleven year old Yorkie with incontinence problems and a constant whine may well be irritating you, LW, but he may very well be irritating himself. He may very well be uncomfortable, unhappy, and unable to let you know that he's very, very tired. So take him to a vet, get the lowdown on his health outlook, and if euthanasia seems more humane than rehoming, do it. Yeah, some think that rehoming is always the humane way, but... you think an old, blind, incontinent dog is going to be happier in a stranger's house?? Don't keep him alive to satisfy some odd sense of morality that really only applies to humans, who can manage pain and loss in a way animals cannot. Remember not just his heartbeat, but his pride and dignity. Then treat him with the respect a DOG deserves.
Best of luck to you in this difficult time.
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@chickadee
Thank you. I agree the clause could have been better worded. I didn't want to devote too much type to the subject, and so didn't go into detail and explain what I meant by that remark. Now that you've (rightly) called me on it, I may as well anyway, so here goes: I see what I call "brainwashed" as a two-pronged issue. First, if bootcamp (and much of military life and law in general) doesn't rank as voluntary submission (at least in these post-draft times) to brainwashing I'm not sure what it is. It is largely necessary, but it is definitely conditioning people to respond in a certain way to given situations without regard to the political or philosophical implications (let alone the spiritual ones) of what they are called upon to do. You're right that a well-disciplined military is necessary if we're going to rely on a military at all; the question becomes, for me at least, Just when does heroism turn from blind obedience to considered resistance? I realize we wouldn't want to entrust those willing to lay down their lives for their country (even in a wrong-headed endeavor) with making such choices -- that's what we elect rank amateurs to do for them. Still, one can't help but wonder if some of our troops might not be restrained only by this finely-tuned and trained sense of obediance and an often confused sense of right and wrong. I know I wouldn't be willing to take orders from William Calley or anyone like him, to cite too easy an example.
In order to protect our freedoms we must first be free, and able to think. Too much thinking does not lend itself to a smooth-functioning military. I just wonder if the whole notion of the warrior-as-hero may have already outlived its usefulness.
All that being said, my choice of words undoubtedly grated, and I can well understand why. My apologies for that, whether you buy my rationale here, or not.
I'm gratified you found much of what I said worthy of any sort of endorsement. I'd say we probably agree on about 95 per cent of all the issues brought up here. That's not bad.
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whine yelp whimper yip
Bummer to return from a long trip and see that people want to kill doggies. Time and age can both be cruel. This surprises someone? Yippy dog nipping at your ankle in addition to what you are enduring does sound awful though.
Killing the manifestation (a dog) won't make it better in the end. Cary is certainly right about that.
Alzheimer's. My Grandma had it and it was horrific and exhausting. Support is what you need, in bulk! My heart goes out to you LW.
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About Canyon Hiker
"We should care about power and tyranny and killing. But I believe that thinking should not be limited to our own species, or those particular species who share our homes."
YES! BINGO.