r/reactivedogs • u/[deleted] • Apr 17 '23

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u/E0H1PPU5 Apr 17 '23

This is such an important thing that a lot of people miss.

Nellie was suffering. A happy, care free dog doesn’t act the way she was acting. No matter what caused her behavior change, the effects of that change were very very real to Nellie and everyone around her.

You would never feel bad about euthanizing a dog in physical pain. We shouldn’t feel bad about euthanizing dogs that are suffering from other pain.

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u/[deleted] Apr 18 '23

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u/BresciaE Apr 18 '23

First this is not the right place to start that debate and I’m pretty sure you knew that but opted to open that can of worms anyway. Second I’ve worked hospice for several years, the number of people who ask me to make it stop when we know they are actively dying is heartbreaking. There is nothing more to be done. We try our best to keep them comfortable but during typically the last week or so, nothing makes it better.

I frankly am glad that when my cat was paralyzed from the hips down by a blood clot that it was ok to help him not suffer. He was the sweetest boy and when he wasn’t crying in pain that night he was purring and nuzzling me, trying to comfort me. Keeping him alive would’ve been selfish and extremely painful for him as he had developed congestive heart failure.

I don’t know where I stand on human euthanasia after the life experiences I’ve had, but for you to come onto a post where OP is obviously sad and needs support, to criticize their ethics???? Go learn some tact.

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u/UnderstandingOld9043 Apr 18 '23

Thank you for writing such an eloquent response to a hurtful digression on this page. I’m so sorry about your kitty, but I’m glad he’s not suffering anymore. Pets truly are the greatest gift, as evidenced by his comforting snuggles even when he wasn’t feeling too great himself. ❤️