Has someone that wanted to die asked you to pull the plug on their machines to end their pain?
By Hanni Harel
@Hannihar (129470)
Israel
June 14, 2018 10:54pm CST
I have never been asked that question but I did have a situation when my dog got sick. I tried to save her anyway I could but just did not work out and finally in the end had to put her to sleep and that was so hard for me. I did not want to do but I did not want her to be in pain. My cat knew when it was her time to die that she had to take charge. She went to sleep and did not wake up. I am not good at those decisions and if someone asked me to end their life I do not know if I could do it. Can you do it?
12 people like this
14 responses
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
15 Jun 18
Hi Hanni. I am sorry about your dog. I have never experienced that and I wish never to experience it. Euthanasia is not something I want do . 
6 people like this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
15 Jun 18
@mlgen1037
It is a very hard thing to do and thank you for your kind words about my dog. I miss her very much.
2 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
15 Jun 18
@Hannihar You are most welcome, my friend. Your dog understands why you have to do it. 
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
15 Jun 18
@mlgen1037
After a couple of dreams I had of her after I had to put her to sleep not sure if she did or not but I had no other choice. Thanks Louise.
1 person likes this
@chavezrmc (6095)
• Philippines
15 Jun 18
I hope i will never be in that position. Because i can't do that. Sorry to hear 'bout your dog and cat.I know the feeling coz we treat our pets as family. Humans or animals i hope i wont experience that kind of situation.
2 people like this
@chavezrmc (6095)
• Philippines
15 Jun 18
@Hannihar 
. Hope everything is good out there.
. Hope everything is good out there.1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
15 Jun 18
@chavezrmc
It is ok and thanks for asking. Hope you are fine.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246774)
• United States
16 Jun 18
I'm very sorry, but it is a decision we all have to make. Our cat won't be put to sleep if I can help it. If his heart is strong enough, we will fly him to Florida with us for the winter.
Two years ago, my husband's brother had to be taken off life support. It was his wish. His wife and our older son were there to sign the papers and support each other.
We have living wills which will make the decision easier for our sons.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246774)
• United States
19 Jun 18
@Hannihar Yes, we did it to spare them the stress, although I'm sure it won't be easy for the kids if it comes to that.
Thank you, Hanni. He's taking a pre bedtime nap with his little goose stuffed animal and listening to Bach. He waits for me to carry him upstairs like a baby for his goodnight treats, which I hand feed him, one by one. I must be crazy!
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
19 Jun 18
@DianneN
Don't ever call yourself crazy. You love him so and he is very special to you and you do not want to let go of him. I can very much understand that. I went through it twice and now I just want to be around for Sophie and not for her to ever feel abandoned again.
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
15 Jun 18
Thankfully life has spared me of any such trauma
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
15 Jun 18
I have never been faced with that decision, although my brother has. I feel for him greatly because it was his daughter who had to be taken off of life support.
2 people like this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
15 Jun 18
@Starmaiden
So did all agree and he did the unplugging. That must have been very hard for him.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
15 Jun 18
@Starmaiden
It is still very hard to let go even in that situation.
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
15 Jun 18
@Hannihar This happened 6 yrs ago almost to the day, and her mother is still in grievance.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (169952)
• United States
17 Jun 18
No, but I have chosen to euthanize pets in the past. My previous cat though I regret. I should have gotten a second opinion.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
15 Jun 18
It would definitely be a hard decision. I have never been in this position before. I am sorry to hear about your dog and cat.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
17 Jun 18
@infatuatedbby
Yes, that is something we really have to think about.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
15 Jun 18
@infatuatedbby
Thank you so much. It would be a very hard decision.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
15 Jun 18
No, thankfully. But when my Great-Grandmother was in the hospital for the 3rd time, for water being around her heart, she told my Grandmother, mom, and aunts and uncles not to put her on machines when it came to it, that she wanted to be done when it was her time. The only one who understood it was one of my uncles, so everyone else was mad at her for a short bit.
I think it would be very hard for me to accept and do. But if it is their wish, I really would have no choice but to do it.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
15 Jun 18
@Hannihar of course its hard, least, if you care about the person, because you cant see your life without them in it and you'd miss them. but, like I said, if I was asked to.. I think I would feel worse not doing as they wished.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
17 Jun 18
@Courtlynn
I would have to think long and hard about doing it.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
15 Jun 18
@Courtlynn
The hard part is that the others did not understand that and got mad. I saw a movie or show on something like that and the person just could not do it I think. I do not remember what happened. It is hard thing to do.
1 person likes this
@simplfred (20608)
• Philippines
15 Jun 18
RIP to your pets. I haven't tried that also but when it comes, I will think of it one thousand times.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
15 Jun 18
@simplfred
Thanks for the kindness of my pets. I miss them. They are always in my heart. It is something to really think about.
1 person likes this
