I found this video on youtube and it is very powerful. Watch first.
I had this experience once and I don't care to repeat it. We had a doberman, who when he was 15, started to have seizures. I was also 15 then as well so I knew this dog my whole life. He could no longer walk all the time and had to have his back legs carried when it came time to go to the 'bathroom'. He wasn't always disabled for he could walk again in a few days after a seizure. The adults in my life came to the determination that this was his time and that he should be euthanized.
I can remember that day quite well. Saying goodbye, knowing that was our last few hours together, made for a strange day indeed. When our appointment came and he was put on the exam table, I felt rather emotionless. When the Dr. put the needle in and pushed in the fluid, it was a rather peaceful, almost eventless event. But the part that is ingrained most firmly in my memory was his eyes. He was looking at me as he fell asleep and I can remember how they almost turned black, as if it was truly a light bulb going out. His eyes were closing as he grew weaker, until his head was resting on the table. So there he lay motionless, dead, pain free, while one last goodbye was said and we left for home.
As a male I feel it is a requirement, almost a duty to not show emotion of the sad sort even at events like this. But I can tell you I feel nearly overwhelmed reciting this story, not only in words but in clear memory. The job that these people do is an unenviable one that I could not do. At one point in this film the Dr. says you begin to feel like putting a gun in your mouth. I can see how easy it would be to feel that way and I hope the reader does as well. According to the Human Society there are about 3-4 million homeless animals euthanized every year. It should seem immediately apparent there is a moral wrong being committed by our nation. The best solution it seems is to spay or neuter your pets. Not only for the quality of life for the animals but for the well being of the people who have to do this ghastly deed that ALL of us are indebted to.
I wanted to promote this video to get the word out, for I do not know what else to do to help. Education about this topic seems key to any success. As anyone who has lost a longtime pet can appreciate the work involved for anyone who has to euthanize so many animals. It is a grave misdeed to breed indiscriminately, to care not for the consequences of breeding too many animals, and for the rest of us to not put social pressure on fellow citizens, friends, and family members who partake in the actions which lead to the wholesale slaughter of otherwise good pets.
