Euthanizing dogs and mom

[Kooshdakhaa]

My mail carrier's 70 year old Dad had a stroke. Because he was over 70, Kaiser refused to pay for swallowing therapy. They would pay for him to be in a hospice until he died. The family got together to pay for swallowing therapy at Cedars Sinai. They paid for part of it, and charity picked up the rest. The old man lived another 5-6 years.

Wow, who is Kaiser, they need to be avoided!

My Dad had a stroke at the age of 76. He was on Medicare and Blue Cross. Everything was covered, swallowing therapy, everything. He lived another 10 years and then had a massive heart attack at the age of 86. He was in the Intensive Care Unit for an entire month, and in the hospital for nearly two months. My sister told me that everything was covered, there was almost no out-of-pocket expense for my Dad.

He had lived with her for the past 10 years, since his stroke, and she had had enough. But she wouldn't let me take him in, because then I would need to control his finances instead of her. So she put him in a nursing home. Two weeks later, they found him dead in his chair. He had been in bed and asked them to get him up and into his chair. I don't think he wanted to die in bed.

 

[Big Black Dog]

So, today in The Coffee Shop, the subject of euthanizing pets came up. I pretty much left the subject alone, but then BBD made a post I wanted to discuss. The Coffee Shop wasn't the proper venue.

This is BBD's post,

I see there's been lots of discussion about dogs in declining health today. Serious, emotional issue for lots of people. I know because I had a large kennel and bred beagles for nearly 19 years. There isn't any "textbook" answer about when you should put a dog down. It's strictly a personal issue. What might seem like the right answer for you might not be the right acceptable answer for another person. It's an issue that should be discussed with your vet, your other family members, and if appropriate, your God. When the time for a decision to be made is right, it will be apparent to you. People love their pets just as though they are regular members of your family - which they are. Your pet (dog or cat) loves you as much as you love them. They are just as aware as you are that something has changed in their lives. Be patient. There is always time to make a well-thought out decision. Don't rush into anything you might regret later.

He makes some wise and valid points in that post.
However, I want to ask some questions about this part,

When the time for a decision to be made is right, it will be apparent to you. People love their pets just as though they are regular members of your family - which they are.

I think people actually hold a different standard between pets and humans when it comes time to make the decision to euthanize.
Have you ever heard anybody say, "We had to put mom down. It was for the best because she was suffering"? I think it's much easier for people to make a statement like that about a pet than to make it about a blood family member. In fact, I've heard it often when it concerns pets, but never about mom. dad, grandma, grandpa or a child.
I know lots of people that have asked/told a veterinarian to make the lethal injection for a pet but none that asked a doctor to make the lethal injection for a family member (human).
The thing is, you can make that request for an animal (that you love and cherish) but you cannot make the same request for a family member (human) that you love and cherish. People have been imprisoned for euthanizing a family member they love. People have been imprisoned for taking that kind of action on behalf of another person.

Personally, I hold human life in higher regard than I hold an animals life. In my life I've made the decision to euthanize a loved pet. I've also been involved in the decision to end a human's life, but that involved "pulling the plug", not a lethal injection to end their suffering and pain. We had to wait for the person to die after we made that decision.

I see a double standard. We are compassionate people that want to end the suffering of a loved pet, so we do take the step of actively ending that life when it is filled with pain and suffering, but how many could do the same if it was mom? Even if mom wanted you to? The pet didn't ask you to, but you can still do it, as painful for yourself as it is.

Interesting concept but I think you are comparing apples to oranges. There is a distinct difference between Fido and a human being. In the Bible it states that man has dominion over the animals. To me, that means that man is superior to animals. With that superiority comes the responsibility to always treat an animal in an ethical way. Yes, you can allow your vet to euthanize a loved pet if that is your desire as the owner of the pet but on the other hand, you can't ask your family doctor to put Aunt Gertie down - even if she doesn't eat and piddles on the floor all the time. I think the closest you can come to something like that is by having a Living Will or maybe a Medical document that states you are in charge of the care of Aunt Gertie and you have opted to remove life support or to not allow heroics life saving measures should it become necessary. Under these circumstances, Aunt Gertie would die naturally from her illness or injuries. It's not the same thing as euthanizing her. I can tell you from past personal experiences that removing life support from a very critically ill parent is a very difficult decision to make and it should not be considered lightly before making a decision like that. However, there are times in our life that we must do what is felt in the best interest of an ailing parent or other loved one - including a pet.

 

[Kooshdakhaa]

I think some people euthanize pets because they don't want them to suffer anymore. I think some people euthanize them because, deep down inside, they don't want to be bothered with their illness so they rationalize it by saying they are easing their suffering.

I think it's the same with humans. And I think it would be the same if we were allowed to "euthanize" humans. The people motivated by love and not wanting their loved one to have to suffer anymore...that is one thing. Those motivated by wanting to be rid of the responsibility...that's another. And that's what worries me. Especially when dealing with ancient people who may be confused and easily led or guilt-tripped into making decisions they would rather not make.

What we are accustomed to doing to animals, we will eventually do to people, if allowed. Look at all the animals who are euthanized simply because they're a burden, or someone doesn't want them anymore, or they're protective of their fucking food dish, or whatever.

P.S. I'd like to state that there is at least one dog in this world who is just as important as any human on the face of the earth. And I have the privilege of living with her.

Hello, Koosh! How is your fur-fam? Missed ya!

Hi, Gallant! I missed you, too! Everyone is doing fine, no euthanasia required at this point, thank God!!! My 8 1/2 year old dobie has slowed down some, but she can still run like a maniac! She was starting to get creaky and I put her on glucosamine. It made a big difference. My husband said he's thinking about taking it too! : )

 

[SFC Ollie]

P.S. I'd like to state that there is at least one dog in this world who is just as important as any human on the face of the earth. And I have the privilege of living with her.

I'm sorry but its HIM. And he lives here at his house. He permits us to live with him.

 

[jillian]

So, today in The Coffee Shop, the subject of euthanizing pets came up. I pretty much left the subject alone, but then BBD made a post I wanted to discuss. The Coffee Shop wasn't the proper venue.

This is BBD's post,

I see there's been lots of discussion about dogs in declining health today. Serious, emotional issue for lots of people. I know because I had a large kennel and bred beagles for nearly 19 years. There isn't any "textbook" answer about when you should put a dog down. It's strictly a personal issue. What might seem like the right answer for you might not be the right acceptable answer for another person. It's an issue that should be discussed with your vet, your other family members, and if appropriate, your God. When the time for a decision to be made is right, it will be apparent to you. People love their pets just as though they are regular members of your family - which they are. Your pet (dog or cat) loves you as much as you love them. They are just as aware as you are that something has changed in their lives. Be patient. There is always time to make a well-thought out decision. Don't rush into anything you might regret later.

He makes some wise and valid points in that post.
However, I want to ask some questions about this part,

When the time for a decision to be made is right, it will be apparent to you. People love their pets just as though they are regular members of your family - which they are.

I think people actually hold a different standard between pets and humans when it comes time to make the decision to euthanize.
Have you ever heard anybody say, "We had to put mom down. It was for the best because she was suffering"? I think it's much easier for people to make a statement like that about a pet than to make it about a blood family member. In fact, I've heard it often when it concerns pets, but never about mom. dad, grandma, grandpa or a child.
I know lots of people that have asked/told a veterinarian to make the lethal injection for a pet but none that asked a doctor to make the lethal injection for a family member (human).
The thing is, you can make that request for an animal (that you love and cherish) but you cannot make the same request for a family member (human) that you love and cherish. People have been imprisoned for euthanizing a family member they love. People have been imprisoned for taking that kind of action on behalf of another person.

Personally, I hold human life in higher regard than I hold an animals life. In my life I've made the decision to euthanize a loved pet. I've also been involved in the decision to end a human's life, but that involved "pulling the plug", not a lethal injection to end their suffering and pain. We had to wait for the person to die after we made that decision.

I see a double standard. We are compassionate people that want to end the suffering of a loved pet, so we do take the step of actively ending that life when it is filled with pain and suffering, but how many could do the same if it was mom? Even if mom wanted you to? The pet didn't ask you to, but you can still do it, as painful for yourself as it is.

I think we're kinder to our pets sometimes than we are to people.

 

[Katzndogz]

Much of the decision to end a human life depends on what a survivor is going to get. No doubt that consideration figured prominently in Michael Schiavo's decision to end Terri's life before the insurance money was totally depleted by her care.

When a beloved pet dies, it leaves behind only remains of bone and fur, and the memories. A human being can leave behind something more substantial and sizeable. That's why I never allowed my husband to get life insurance for either of us. It wasn't that I didn't trust him, I did, but when faced with temptation - Do I call 911 or go out for a beer and come back in an hour? - Do I think that suffering is really unbearable or just need to pay bills with that inheritance? - Do I have nothing to do tonight and want to care for this person. I didn't want him or me to be faced with that decision.

We don't have life insurance benefits for pets. Pets contribute by their lives.

 

[saveliberty]

I'd trade the insurance benefits for whatever care the loved one wanted.