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Back My Dog, My Friend, My German Shepherd by Don Farber When your pet has provided uninhibited friendship, companionship and devotion for many years, discovering that she has a life-ending illness becomes a double-edged sword. Knowing that she doesn't have long to live will cause as much grief as learning that a close 'human' family member will suffer a similar fate. However, when the veterinarian reminds you of, and stresses, your responsibility to keep your pet from suffering, and that her 'quality of life' is the determining factor in whether or not she must be put down (be euthanized), the sword cuts much deeper, and with both edges. Then you have to 'play God' and decide, on your own, whether one you love with all your heart and soul will live another day or week, or die right now, or tomorrow. That's the kind of decision no human should ever have to make, about pet or person. A thousand questions and second guesses infiltrate our every thought; • maybe we care so much that we're exaggerating the degree of pain we 'think' they're in; • maybe a miracle cure will be discovered; • what if we increase the medication dosage? • what if we're wrong? • who else will need me? • etc., etc. I admit to putting a lot of time and effort into training my German Shepherd, not to mention the care and love I furnished. I got it back tenfold, maybe more, from her in her devotion, trust and companionship, and in the way she inter-acted with every child and human she ever encountered. She showed her canine hunter side with every animal she ever saw or smelled, but that was probably my fault for not exposing her more to canine company. I don't know if I'll make the right decision when the time comes. I know it's not that far away. I don't know whether the decision will benefit her. I know it won't benefit me. The veterinarian has told me that the euthanasia of my pet will consist of an overdose of pentothal, injected slowly, so that she drifts, quietly and painlessly, off to her endless sleep. When she has received the full dose, her breathing will slowly cease. That, folks, is a hell of a decision to make. We have to really love someone with all our heart and soul, and be as absolutely sure as is possible, that there can be no cure for the condition or remedy to alleviate the pain, and that the suffering is so great, that the 'quality of life' no longer exists, and euthanasia is the only answer. Even then, we'll still be second-guessing our decision long after it's been made. visit us @: http://mydogmyfriendmygermanshepherd.blogspot.com/ Author's Biography: 7+ decades; 'been there, done that'; love to write
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