Why do you kill them?

**Big Dave** · 15th April 2010, 19:22

**Oakie** · 15th April 2010, 19:34

I've done that for two loved pets. A cat with a broken back and a lab who got arthritic and had heart problems leading to continual shortness of breath. I had tears in my eyes for both as they slipped away after the injection but I have no doubt I did the right thing. I watched my step-father passing away for four years and he finally got really bad but still had to linger in a hospital bed on death's door for two weeks before he finally got the release he prayed for. That was a month ago. We were close with an unspoken understanding of things and I was scared that he was going to ask me to quietly put a pillow over his face. Scared because I would have had to say no and by saying no, extend his misery.
The question should not be "how can we kill loved pets?" but "why can't we assist loved family members to end their suffering".

**Big Col** · 15th April 2010, 20:02

Im not a vegetarian, but a lot of the things I eat were once vegetarians. Sinnie I can help you when the waiting is over.

**Smifffy** · 15th April 2010, 20:09

If vegetarians love animals so much, how come they eat their food?

**scissorhands** · 15th April 2010, 21:55

If most cats and dogs were put down, many other animals would not suffer, and 'pets' and the whole industry behind 'pets' would be exposed for the fundamentally unethical place it occupies in our lives....

**bogan** · 15th April 2010, 22:02

Originally Posted by scissorhands

If most cats and dogs were put down, many other animals would not suffer, and 'pets' and the whole industry behind 'pets' would be exposed for the fundamentally unethical place it occupies in our lives....

and if we let off all the nukes there would be no more suffering either (well after a little while anyway), but that ain't exactly a solution, suffering is a natural part of life. I'm not sure how owning pets is unethical, beneficial for both owners and pets as far as I can see it, and their prey too, as the already get fed.

We've had a few dogs put down on my parents farm, they just wear out so to speak, kinder to put em down, if i ever get to a similar state I'd wanna be put down too.

**bogan** · 15th April 2010, 22:05

Originally Posted by Smifffy

If vegetarians love animals so much, how come they eat their food?

Exactly, better to eat them, as that supports the industry, which then giveth life to more animals!

**davebullet** · 15th April 2010, 22:11

Originally Posted by TOTO

You have a pet - dog, cat, horse...etc

You LOVE your pet - dog, cat, horse...etc

It is a part of your family, and has been for years.

Your pet gets old, starts to have health issues assosiated with old age - cant see very well, doesnt move all that fast...etc

Instead of looking after pet as you would for any other member of the family, you take your pet to the vet and are having it "put down". You KILL your pet - the one you "LOVE" - dog, cat, horse...etc.

How can you kill a live creature that you love ? WHY ?

Is the animal living for you or for itself? You can't bear to put it down? That sounds like you are putting your priorities over the animal's. Our labrador had cancer and was in obvious pain. I was there for her death. It was one of the worst experiences I've had. She couldn't tell me to end it, but it was all in her eyes in the last days of her life. She wanted it, and I didn't.

Some people should be put down and there is nothing physically wrong with them.

**Winston001** · 15th April 2010, 22:16

Oh dear this is a difficult thread. For many of us our pets are part of the household, members of the family. The fact they are granted shorter lives than us is both tragic and fortunate. Tragic in the sense we see them die. Fortunate in that they aren't tied to us while we go through all the myriad changes of human life.

Our best friend is a Siamese cat currently curled up in my bed with the electric blanket. All of my children love him and despite being scrawny and old, he enchants our visitors. He rides around in cars by choice and is an engaging animal. Anyway, he has feline AIDS (FIV) and at 15 has lived longer than anyone expected. I suspect this will be his last winter and I'm not looking forward to the drive to the vet. Nevertheless we love this cat and could not bear to see him in pain, incontinent, and confused so we won't prolong his life when the quality has faded into that dark night.

**TOTO** · 15th April 2010, 22:52

Something else ...

Why do you "de-sex" your pets ????????????

**Smifffy** · 15th April 2010, 23:01

aaah - the night of the new moon during the autumnal equinox and the trolls come out to play.

**Clean_up** · 15th April 2010, 23:16

Originally Posted by zeocen

Um..
I've got pet insurance, 100% cover and costs $17 a month, even includes vet visits.

Kindly inform yourself before putting the needle in your pet crying "I'm sorry, I just can't afford you." You shouldn't have gotten a pet in the first place.

As to why we put down our animals? Have you seen any old folks homes or hospices for animals? Any animals with crutches and wheelchairs around? The only humane, sane, and most of all, logical approach is to end your companion's suffering. You can't shift them to an Old Pet's Home when they become senile and deprecated. I'm reiterating other posts here but the fact of the matter is it is because you love them, that it would be pure selfishness to keep them around if they were in so much pain and suffering that being put down is an option.

Who does your pet insurance? ALL the ones i've looked at only part cover.....would like a 100% coverage pet insurance.

**Clean_up** · 15th April 2010, 23:23

Its all been said above as to why we put our pets down. I have two dogs, and I certainly am not looking forward to the day when I will have to make the hard decision to end the suffering of either of my "fur kids". It is a decision many, if not all, owners do not take lightly. No one wakes up and thinks "ah fuck it, im gonna kill my dog for shits and giggles today". the majority of times it is because the animal has been sick for some time, and suffering greatly, and there is no other option other than letting them keep on suffering, and in pain. Animals cant tell us when they are sore, it takes truely "knowing" your animal to know when that time has come. The day i send my dogs over the rainbow bridge will be one of the hardest days of my life, i defiantely am NOT looking forward to it.