What are your thoughts on animal euthanasia?
My family has a dog whom has been a part of our family since 1999. He's about 15 (we rescued him when he was 1 or 2 - he came from an abusive home and the rescue center didn't know his exact age) and his age has really caught up to him now.
He's lived a very happy life - he's always had our companionship as well as the companionship of other dogs on our 5-acre property in the country. He's always been very loving and very loved.
Now, he's in constant pain, is mostly deaf, and can't see out of one eye. He used to have good days, but it seems like the good days are rapidly becoming fewer and fewer. Sometimes he refuses to eat because he hurts so much. It's heartbreaking.
After much discussion, my family decided it's time to put him down. We're taking him tomorrow morning to have him euthanized (and I will be there with him, holding and comforting him, until his last breath). I abstained from giving my input because I was torn about the situation.
Which is more ethical - to let a suffering dog have his pain ended or to wait until there is no more happy days at all and let nature take its course? Do we put him down to relieve his pain or do we let him live?
My thoughts go back and forth - on one hand, he still does have an occasional good day. He still seems happy through the pain much of the time. On the other hand, it's unbearable to see him hurting so much, to look into his eyes and see how miserable he is.
Which is more humane?
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