Hmmm, another animal lover in our midst I see. Why are our animals not allowed to become old and have problems just like we do? We are all intelligent, loving and nurturing women when it comes to our children, our animals are our children too and are not throw aways. Personally I am more than alittle shocked at the attitude I feel from some of the women here. I'm hoping its all in fun, God I hope so...

down girl..down...of course it is in fun! We love our animals and we are just having a little fun at their expense. Good grief...I can't even swat a fly, so not to worry...we love them...and YOU too!

JJ

I have to confess to mixed feelings about this animal thing. I was raised on a farm where a calf, pig or chicken was a pet one day and lunch the next. If we sold an animal, we all mourned, but if we butchered one, my Dad would brag about what a tasty steak or chop old George or Jumper had become and it was kind of a celebration.
My English grandmother taught me that the Bible says God created animals for the benefit of man, not the other way around.
My Indian granny taught me that imprisoning animals in our homes was unkind to both animal and man. She believed that animals were friends and that friends can't be bought or owned.
Later as a medical researcher, I found that anthropologists believe one reason for higher disease rates in Europe before colonization is that in Europe people pretty much lived in close quarters with their animals while in America, the Indians allowed even their pets to run free. Many of the diseases brought to the Americas were actually mutations of animal diseases that developed when animals were crowded into the homes of their owners.
I love some animals, but not all. I hate the squirrels who break into my attic to eat the wiring and the raccoons who broke in and ate the air conditioner ducts. I still hate the little poodle who bit my daughter when she was two and I hate the yippy dogs that some of my friends bring with them to visit.
But I love the deer that leap across my creek and the hawks who soar to their nest in the back yard. I even love the exiled cat, but I will probably wind up having him put to sleep for his good and mine. He's not healthy and would be much better off. However, my husband and I are both such bleeding heart cowards, we just keep procrastinating.
smile

[ June 07, 2004, 10:03 AM: Message edited by: smilinize ]

Smile,
We learned our cat was really ill and suffering too. He had kidney disease. On a Tuesday I thought he was dying so went out and brought him some catnip that we planted for him and a bowl of water. It helped a little the next two days. The Vet told us he was suffering and had
some kind of Kidney problems. Anyway the vets assisstant invited me to come be with him in his last few moments. It was beautiful to be there but of course I was crying. Yes, Chatty we all love our pets.Sometimes its the raw humor that gets you through these times. I knew he was where he belonged.Even our Vet told him "I will see you in heaven." We figured he was between 12 and 16-18 years of age. Do hope this helps you.
Maggie

Thank you for sharing that Maggie. You are very brave to do that for your cat. We need to do it for ours, but we're both so attached we just haven't been able to make the decision.
I tell my husband he should do it and he says I should. We neither want to lose him, but at the same time, he is harming our health and our lifestyle and he is not healthy.
You should write that into a short story to comfort those of us who have to go through it.
smile

This poor animal is indeed in pain and has come to the end of his earthly life. You need to forget about everything now but his pain and that he depends on his human companions to do whats right for him. Just take him and do it now. The longer he is kept the more he will suffer, you all will suffer. It's time Janis and he'll thank you for helping him out of his earthly, pained body. I have had to do it for my 2 Maltese who were 15 years old and had liver cancer, and a German shepard I found wondering the desert. He had a brain tumor and had to be put down 7 months after I brought his body and spirit back to life. Its such a hard thing to do, to have to admit there is nothing you can do to save these wonderful,loving babies. I don't envy you this but please be strong, do it now for his sake. Putting him out or in the garage doesn't help and puts him in grave danger as you've seen....I pray for you all.