Sustaining a pet's life  

I have had many pets in my life and have been faced with making a decision on my pets' lives. I have only one rule and that is if my pet is in pain then I cannot bear to watch them suffer and will not prolong their life for my own selfish pleasure. However I will go to all ends to make sure they live a long life if they are just old but in no pain. They are members of my family and age should not be a death sentence.

I think it's cruel to keep anything alive when they are not getting anything out of living. I THINK people are being cruel & selfish to keep something alive for their own sake.

When I think of my pets reaching old age I have to say that as long as they are not in pain and are living a good life then what ever the cost. How ever if the pet is in constant pain and relies on medication on a daily basis and the value of there life is deminished then I would have to say that maybe it would be best to have them euthanized. No one human or animals should have to suffer. I would want the same for my self as well. If I am suffering and my value of life has deminished then I would hope that someone would put me down as well.

I don't have this problem!
Nothing Ever Dies!
Life continues.
Its the only humane thing to do. Put your pet out of his or her agony. Your pet knows life goes on. He/ she begs you to stop the agony. Just do it!

Kelly-

Unfortunately, I've not had this situation yet. We do have a temperamental feline who is always getting bladder infections. I went so far as to do special Science Diet for her that was costing me a load, but I couldn't afford to feed her that and feed us, so we went back to her brand before that. She's doing fine so far (knock on wood). She's only 7, so I'm pretty sure she's got another seven years in or more. My little Sassy died just before my son was born (he turns three this year), and she was one that I couldn't afford the surgery to help her with her trachea. She was little chihuahua, and I was told by one vet that her trachea would one day give out. It gave out when she was almost 15, so I think she led a very happy life with me. For now, I've not been strong enough to do another dog as I was very attached to my little Sassy. Our cat is my husband's, but she's becoming mine quickly and I don't know what I'll do when she crosses the Rainbow Bridge.

Namaste-Anora

I give my dogs and cats massage, It doesnt cost me, as I do it myself. If one doesnt know how, this is a new profession coming about. This helps the animals as it does people, It helps regulate pain, and also sometimes can prevent alot of problems, I feel that if the animal is in pain, then God needs to take the animal, I personally could not kill or have my pet killed, I feel God knows when the animals life is over. I recently had a dog pass, she was getting older, and she had a limp but I started to massage her.. andthe others, daily, and she started to feel much better, then one day, I let her out to potty, as always.. she seemed fine, she walked probably 10 steps from t he door and passed away. It hurt so much, but I knew that she wasnt in pain because I had taken steps to make sure she didnt feel pain. As far as the money thing goes.... For me the animals are part of my family, I took them in... I am responsible... I mean.. what would you not do if your child or family member was horribly ill, or in pain to make them better?.... well.. if you take the animal as part of your family, money should not be the issue... (pending that you can afford this... I understand sometimes people cannot)... and if a person was in pain or old... would they be put down.. nope.. why should the animal?

My dog Daisy, a beagle who I got in 2nd grade recently passed away this february 2009 (I'm a freshmen in college now). She was 15 years old, and the last couple months of her life were pretty painful to watch. She was a little overweight, and we found out she pulled a ligament in her right hind leg. Doctor told us she could live without surgery but at the cost of arthritis (versus a risky procedure for such an elderly dog). We opted for just letting her live with the condition, and the vet gave us these pills to help with the arthritis. Well we did not look up the side effects of the pill, and no more than 2 months after taking them Daisy began to stop having interest in food. It took so much effort for her to get up off of the ground. Her back felt frozen up. We took her back to the vet and he ran some blood work and it turns out she had kidney failure from the medicine. We brought her home and just wanted her to be peaceful in the house. Over the course of a week her health deteriorated after she stopped drinking and could not get up anymore. The suffering was very painful and we decided we were going to bring her the next day to get put down.

That night at 1:00 I went into the kitchen and got myself some lucky charms. I passed Daisy on the floor and gave her a kiss on the head and told her I loved her. I went back to my room and after 10 minutes I heard her tags on her collar jingle. I went to the kitchen to check on her and put my food away and there she was, on her side by door. The sight of her laying there broke my heart. She must of had a heart attack trying to get up towards the door and just did not have the energy. I guess she didn't want to be put down, but instead to go naturally at her home.

I don't think I would of done anything different. I think animals have a way of knowing when its time for them to go, and I'm so glad I got to tell her I loved her before she passed away.

It all matters on the situation and the disease I guess.

Hi bama...I have only had a few experiences where I've been witness to a pet's death. It was heartbreaking for a long time but so much better than allowing a life to go on in pain. I don't agree with the pet owners who prolong their pets' lives just for the sake of themselves. After all it is selfish. It is us who have the money and the means to try to keep the animal alive as long as possible. However pets don't have the means to convey to us that they want a DNR or something like it. We have to make the responsible choice and that is the most difficult decision to make as to when to let go.

I learnt many things about sustaining a pet's life here.
http://wangtf.edublogs.org/

Hi bamakelly! I'm glad you made this discussion. I really can't give some advice but i just want to read what others have to say. You know, i also have a pet and his name is Moochie. He is four years old but to me i feel that's old enough for pet. I do hope i can spend some more years with Moochie. For now, he is still a healthy boy. I've watch Marley and Me and it's kind of traumatized me. lol! I just don't know what to do if Moochie can't walk anymore. If he's in a painful position then i guess i have to end his sufferings. I don't think i can bear watching him like that.