Putting a pet to sleep...should we?
By vanny
@vandana7 (102361)
India
September 1, 2025 1:23am CST
Everybody fears dying.
That is the truth. Be it chicken, dog, cow, pig..........
When I was in hostel, nuns would become predators, killing pig on one of the festival. Sorta sport for them. I could hear it crying, and screaming before they managed to sniff life out of it.
They would feed it, out of kitchen waste. For whole year, only to give that fate.
I have my share of sins too. I have been nasty to small bats, roaches, and rats. I have also dissected not yet dead frogs, not yet dead lizards, not yet dead pigeons, and dead sharks.
But my frogs, lizards, pigeons, etc., made no sound. The pigs did.
I did not pet the frogs, lizards, pigeons, etc. either for them to bond with me. Nor did I feed them, bathe them, give them water, or take them to vet. They were just supplied to the college, and we were asked to do the dissection. No choice.
Botany was combined with Zoology in those days.
So...I wonder when you feel the love in eyes of the pet, or even the merchandise, you see the trust in you ...how is it possible to put her to sleep?
We all will get old, sure we will. Our bones will crack, and we will stink (if we are not already). We may even poop and pee on bed. We may find it difficult to eat ..we may puke. We will be disheveled unkempt, not the pretty selves that we are now. We will need help...you bet....we will. Then is it time to bid us goodbye? Is it time to put us to sleep? I agree my memory will fade. My thoughts will be abstract. I will be nobody. But will it be easier to let go of me, because of this? Why rules are different for humans and animals...animals that can love and trust us, and do?
Saw a person claiming to love the pet. The pet clung to her feet when he was to be put to sleep. The smell of the room may have told the dog everything. 15 years of happiness- bliss...the lady cried but walked away. If it was only money ...she would not have got another pet, she did. It was doing some work for that helpless creature that was not on cards.
Why have one if you don't understand the implications?
9 people like this
7 responses
@crossbones27 (51117)
• Mojave, California
15h
Did your animal make a connection.. A lot of people these days get a big dog and go but they do not do anything. Kai on her first day chased down a jeep which almost ran me over. She did not even know me. I had to run so hard to make sure fool did not run her over. Yes Kai I know he is right there. Judgement in your hands. This dude is a fool we will never do it again. breath easy, dog breaths easy, they were ready to kill for you. Its not a light decsion. -------------------------------
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (47868)
•
14h
I think the personality our animals have is often built by the way they are treated. I have brought home many a dog to foster, who was terrified of literally everything. Some were suffering so terribly from fear of where they came from, and how they were treated, that it took a long, long time to win them over. Lots of time, lots of patience, and lots of love. And once they get past that fear, they (at least mine did, maybe I was lucky) made wonderful, special companions.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (51117)
• Mojave, California
14h
@MarieCoyle They are great companions but people keep thinking they some kind of joke, these fools do not play. That is their job and they are good at it. I think it what surprises people most about dogs like they some kind of mindless creature. They are the ancestors of wolves and they are so very in tune with their environment. If you can't understand that then you do not need one. Not you personally but people in general.
They will try hard to make you happy but they are their instincts too.
@LadyDuck (482738)
• Italy
15h
It's not because the animals you killed made no sound that they did not suffer. Pigs scream a lot, other animals do not. Pets are part of the family here. If we know that they cannot be cured and they suffer, the best is to put them to sleep. We do the same to humans now. Finally some governments agreed that it's better to let some sick people go than to make them suffer.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (121722)
• Marion, Ohio
8h
I have put some of my pets down when I knew they were suffering. If the dog was that old it very well could have been. I always stay with them during because I am the one they know. I have known people to drop them off and leave. The poor pet feels abandoned before dying when that happens.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (102361)
• India
8h
@wolfgirl569 Yes, even as he clutched on to her. Selfish. You never posted the pet's videos to earn. These people do.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (121722)
• Marion, Ohio
8h
@vandana7 That is what is sad. So the poor creature was abandoned first.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (47868)
•
15h
Having been involved in animal rescue for years, I have spent a lot of time thinking about euthanizing pets. I have owned and fostered many, mostly dogs and exotic birds. Many of my dogs lived many years. In all that time, I had two dogs die in their sleep. They were very old in dog years, and I did give them a lot of love and attention. But there sometimes comes a time when you know they are in deep pain and want it to end. If you know dogs well, you pick up on this. The thing about dogs is they understand words but they don’t speak like we do—of course, it’s that way with all animals.
A few years ago, my dog had cancer of the liver. There was no fix for this. I let her enjoy her time until I realized I was keeping her alive for me—because I didn’t want to lose her. She helped me through some rough times and was a wonderful companion. All she ever wanted in life was to be where I was. She was well mannered and quiet and so loving. I had one last day with her, by myself. We cuddled. She had some vanilla ice cream which was one of her favorite things in the world. I held her while the medicine went in, she licked my hand and my cheek and closed her eyes. I didn’t want to watch her writhing in pain, so I felt like I chose the best way for her.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (199490)
• United States
12h
We had to put our dogs to sleep. The first the vet said was already dying. This broke my heart as we waited too long to end his misery. The second was on the operating table and had a huge mass in his belly. I had to let him go. The next two we had at the same time. The little girl became blind in 2 days and never adjusted to it. She wouldn't let us pet her or play with her. She fell and hurt herself badly. We had to put her down. The male was having great difficulty getting up and walking. We decided it was his time as well. My heart still breaks for all of them. I hope my husband is up in Heaven playing with them.
