when we take a pet to the vet to put it out of it's misery, we do not allow a human the same dignity/grace
143339
As human beings we have dominion over the earth and all of the creatures.  The only one that has dominion over us is God.  This does not mean we have to die without dignity or respect.When and if your time is drawing near there are wonderful hospice organizations that can help you pass comfortably and respectfully.  It is usually the wish of the dying, or their families, to continue every possible measure of life support.  I am a big Hospice fan for the terminally ill, but it is always a personal descision.\n\nI also want to add, that yes i have seen both sides, those that pass with hospice and those without. Hospitals have in place what is called "Risk Managment" Coordinators or nurses, that will review all legal stipulations, if they feel someone is being kept alive by artificial means and their suffering is being prolonged when the outcome is inevitably death.  there are laws against this. and then like i said if you choose to pass with grace, hospice is the way to go, they can prescribe and give pain managment, and may not legally be allowed to give you enough to cause you to pass, but you will be very very comfortable. so really i think peoples families are usually to blame, sometimes their afraid, and want to hold on, but yes like the other answer sometimes their motives are financailly selfish, and its just so sad to see that.
819525
A lack of human compassion .
724068
The theory is that an animal has no choice, you as a human, do.
593102
Society is messed up when we're more concerned with saving animal & plant life than human life.
172685
Long time ago one of my friends had a Korean Coworker, he has a dog and everything was going well and after around 2 years he told us that he has killed his dog in the bathroom and used its meat.\nI knew that they do this but I didn't think they do this to their own pets.\nI still feel bad about it :(
1070889
Yes.  I think that the animals were here first, and just because their brains aren't as developed doesn't mean they don't have feelings.  Animals have every right to be here, if not more.
208446
Of course it is, especially if the animal is not a willing participant.
250894
It is a decision you and you alone should be allowed to make, especially in the case of an illness that is going to kill you painfully.  We put animals to sleep when they are suffering, humans deserve the same option.  But the decision has to be made by YOU and carried out by YOU, no one else!
1134982
You love your child but your not in love with them at least I hope your not thats called child abuse..... you love your pet but are not in love with it. You love your car but are not in love with it!
590348
The world has turned into a cesspool of self indulgent and spoiled whingers. And why not sue, if you are allergic to cats. Is your physical health less important than somebody's emotional health?\n\nFeelings are in charge of the world because the world, or the people who inhabit it, are not in charge of their feelings. It's easier to cave in to acting like an emotional cripple than it is to work through the difficulties everyone experiences at some point in their life.\n\nIf these emotionally fragile people cannot be separated from their pooches, perhaps people & pooches should only socialize at pooch parks and doggie daycares. If they are so attached to their doggies, perhaps the owners should try short desensitizing forays out of their pens, oops, I mean homes until they can successfully survive emotionally in the non-canine world.\n\nTrue service dogs, like seeing-eye, or dogs that have been trained to assist the disabled, must always be accomodated, but seriously, a service dog trainee vest from the internet just to be able to take your dog with you? That's disrespectful to the real service dogs and the people they serve.\n\nActually, if truth be told, I think it's the dogs that are also emotional cripples. So some dogs and some owners develop a sick, symbiotic emotional attachment to each other. I know, because my dog is an emotional cripple. The benefit is, when I come home, Mr. Needy is soooooo glad to see me (unlike my kids) because I don't take him everywhere.
1053085
Are other people mean to your dog? Maybe it has its reasons.
269542
No. It's just their own way of showing their affection towards their pets. In fact, I have read that those people who are attached to their pets are the most loving, caring and sweet people in the world. :)
683397
If this is true, I hope she dumps your sorry butt!  A pet is like a family member to many people.  The fact that you did something so callous and cruel shows me that you have the capacity to become an abuser.  She needs to drop you and fast.
199249
You are very right. a lot of us do waste or precious time. Some people even waste precious energy by being rude and mean.\n\nTwo thumbs and four paws up to you!!! :D
1063691
Explain that you have thought about his desire for companionship and the potential threats to his already compromised health and that it is best for all concerned that if he can't take care of the dog in the way it deserves, and can't take care of himself the way he deserves, that it is safer for all concerned that the dog have a different home.\n\nUnfortunately, we often end up having to be parents to our parents and this is one of those times.
704379
I think any living being that feels compassion or expresses feelings of sympathy, or love has to have a soul. When you are feeling sad or you are sick your dog won't leave your side, I believe that he knows something is not right and he wants to make you feel better so he stays with you and to a point you do feel better. Do you every watch animal planet? Animal Cops? Why do these dogs that are abused not bite their owners? Love. Its the same reason a child will still love a parent that abuses. I unfortunately had to put my dog Rphus to sleep about 2 months ago. When no one was home he jumped off something or fell down the stair, and somehow paralyzed his back legs. the vet told me that there was to much pressure on his spinal cord and within days he would die a painful death and as the vet was putting the needle in his leg I had a hold of his face, I got close to him, looked him in the eyes, and with streams of tears I said to him "I'm so sorry buddy I love you" Gave him a kiss on the head, then looked at him again, he gave me two licks on the nose and then he was gone.Watching him go see the sad in his eyes Iknow he had a soul. I believe the licks where his way of forgiving me. I mean he could have bitten me. When you look at thinks like that and other thing that our pets do for us how can they not have souls.
805257
If the animal is suffering then I take it to the vet.  If the animal is in no pain then I let nature take its course.