June 2024 | Facing the Hardest Choices: Life, Pain, and Letting Go
I had this thought, and I probably jotted it down somewhere: Should we put our pets to sleep based on our consent? How do we know if they want to live through their lives, letting nature and pain take their course?
I reached that point again when my dog got injured and worsened each day. I felt for her, cheered her up, and was patient.
Although I had high hopes that she would get better, I also knew it might be easier for her to rest in peace. This thought kept resurfacing as I cared for her. We cried together, and she had seizures and passed out a couple of times. Her skin became fragile, but we knew she was getting weaker when she couldn’t even help herself with food.
Hmm.. I had to stop writing, but here I am again, trying to finish it. Well, I wish there were an easy way to deal with this, for both owners and pets. We think we understand them, but really… to what degree?
Call me cold, I think it’s easier with people. As of 2024, nine countries have legalized euthanasia. It feels right to me when we have total control over our lives, whether to keep living or to let go and give up at one point.