Scima is an old dog.
She’s lived a good life and had many health issues. She now seems to have full hip dysplasia and really can’t walk much on her own or even squat to relieve herself.
As I looked at her last night, wondering if she’d wake in the morning, I thought of all the other pets I’ve lost over the years and realized that most had not just failed to wake up one morning. Most of the pets I had through childhood had some sort of illness that the vet treated as long as we could and when we felt that our pet’s life was nothing but pain and suffering or a vegetative state on pain medicine, we let the vet end that pet’s life with as much dignity and remaining joy in life as possible. It was always a hard decision and it was never made lightly.
Animals can’t communicate their desires to end their lives other than to stop eating, which is what Scima did this weekend, but Sunday night, she did eat a bit of chicken, so maybe she still has hope. I never want to keep an animal alive in an unhappy state just for my own enjoyment of that animal. That would just not be fair. We will see how the week progresses with Scima, but looking at her and thinking these things made me think that we, as a society condone and support putting pets to sleep that are infirm and who cannot make that decision themselves, but yet, we deny people, who can make that decision the same right.
If Scima were a person and she told the doctors that she had made her peace with the world and she was suffering too much to continue, she could not get relief from her doctor. She could sign a living will so that she would not be resuscitated and other actions would not be performed to keep her alive, but if she wanted to die, she would have to resort to the same method a dog would use. She would have to stop eating.
These are my own thoughts, what are yours?
And that you find comfort in knowing you had her, and that she had a good life. I wish you Strength!
If you want a glimpse of the other side, check out Belgium. Over there it is legal to euthanize the elderly and infirm - many old folks are afraid to go to the doctors for fear that they will be deemed too feeble to make such a decision for themselves, so it will be made for them.
Dogs are part of our families and they offer us unconditional love. The hardest decision we face as pet owners is letting them go. It is a balance and we have to honor them by letting them go when it's time for them, and not just keep them around for us. Two years ago this Labor Day, I had to make that decision with one of my dogs. She did not start out as my dog, truthfully you could say I inherited her. She was a shepherd husky mix and a magnificant dog. Her name was Mattie. I know all too well where you are, and oh did I love that dog. For your sake and that of your beloved pet, please say your good-byes. Not saying that to be mean, but if we listen as humans, they tell us when they are ready. They show us. I have always made a promise to my pets to let them go when they are ready and not keep them around just for me. I have kept that promise thus far through out the years, and it never gets easier. Look in her eyes, your dog will tell you what she cannot say. You love her, she loves you and it is so hard when we realize the time to say good-bye is coming. Hang in there.
Stop spreading false information. There is zero evidence I support your claim. Euthanasia is a CHOICE in Belgium, not a mandate. Others allow you to live your life in whichever misguided way you choose, as long as it doesnt affect me- or my loved ones. This includes my right to die whenever I choose. Our lives ARE our own. That is why god gave us free will. You are usin a computer to make your ridiculous claims...so come out a little further from the dark ages. You're almost there
Today I have two clients on hospice here in our neighborhood. One at a nearby nursing home, the other living at home. It is not necessarily a tragic experience; one must have a valid living will, and an agent to direct others to follow your wishes. The document alone is often not enough; forms downloaded from the Internet may not be valid. But if you have those two things, hospice (which is covered by Medicare) can be a time of celebration or a solemn ceremony according to the wishes of the individual dying. Some individuals, particularly Catholics, do not want early termination of life; others do not mind aggressive treatment of pain which might hasten death. Each is entitled to their opinion. The important thing is that your wishes are followed, or else a reluctant doctor or family member may not let you die as you desire. B/T/W, dying individuals reject food, and often involuntarily remove a feeding tube. All of my clients and friends are on their way to dying (me too), but most are in denial. While early death is always tragic and can never be made a time of celebration, for most it does not have to be a time of suffering
The Dark Ages, ...that's a real zinger - why don't you throw in the Inquisition to really slam dunk your argument. Have you been to Belgium? I have, and I know of what I speak.
May as well throw that in too. Seems like you're just another religious fanatic. So when were you in Belgium & what did you witness? I have researched this and find no validity to your erroneous argument. Do you have literature I can read?...& please don't tell me the bible. That book has unfortunately been misinterpreted by ignorant humans since the day it was written.
I would like to say a big thank you to the doctors and staff at Main Line Veterinary Hospital in Fraser. They have shown a degree of caring for Scima during her trials and tribulations this last year that goes way above and beyond expectations, and helped to make her last weeks, days and moments as pain-free as possible. And thanks to all of you for your support and caring.
I love my dog and hope that when the time comes, I will know it and bless him with the same loving kindness that you have done for yours.
After I waited a couple of weeks too long with my prior three dogs (and 1 cat), I vowed not to be so selfish and do that again. You know when it's time (we all do), but our animals have been a part of the family for anywhere from 8 to 17 years and it's tough, real tough, but they're far better off to let them go to sleep.
Lucy, you alone must make this decision for your beloved dog. If she were a wild creature, nature would have ended her life before now. Your loving stewardship for all her life makes you responsible for how her life ends. I know you will do what is right for Scima. Don't forget to tell her how much you love her and to thank God for giving you such a beautiful and loyal friend.