You know, Rudyard Kipling asked this very question (far more eloquently) over a hundred years ago. Have a look at The Power of the Dog. Kipling was obviously a dog lover, by the way.
Knock it off, nonpolar. Your posting privileges are presently being discussed by the staff.
Cajun Man
for the SDMB
:: Back from the barn, and a morning of mucking, paddock-picking, haying, watering, grooming, riding ::
I want to thank you all, and reply to the many comments I hadn’t time to before.
MacTech, what a wonderful spirit your mother’s Morgan mare had! It amazes me, how much they’ll do for us, these great, powerful beasts who could stomp us into ruddy dust if they chose to defy our demands. And yet they give, and give, and repay love with love.
AgentFoxtrot, smartini, Asbestos Mango, I empathize with your grief at saying farewell to those special animals you’ve had to send over the Rainbow Bridge. I’ve faced that with several cats so far, and knowing you’ve done the right thing is a comfort only in the aftermath. The doing is grievously painful, and no escaping it.
CrazyCatLady, if I could do as you suggest, that would be wonderful. If Nick comes to his end at my friend’s farm, perhaps we can do that. Unfortunately, where I live and Nick usually boards, burial on-property isn’t allowed, and the death van will have to come and take him away. His body will be dumped in a pit with those of other horses, for nature’s scavengers to return his earthly essence to the earth. I for damn sure don’t want to see that, but I’d rather his hollow shell go back into the cycle of life than be rendered.
Rhiannon, wow. Azure was gorgeous! What a lovely mover, and such sweet, kind eyes! Cyber-hugs to you for your two girls, and for the boys you treasure even as you brace yourself for the inevitable. I can’t imagine the horror of having my horse collapse and die under me! And thanks so much for the horsehair jewelry link – I intend to make use of it, and have passed it on to my horse-loving friends.
Aldebaran, thank you. I grieve for your losses – recent and to come. There is a mini donkey living at my barn, and I know firsthand what delightful critters they are. To be facing the loss of a horse you’ve had since childhood? I’ve had Nick for 12 of his 22 years, and that’s hard enough. Even knowing you’ll be doing the right thing when the time comes will be scant comfort for having to tear such a gaping wound in your heart. I still don’t know if I can bear to be present when Nick’s time comes, but I think you’re right, that it will help me find peace. If I can’t be there, the barn owner, Annette, cares for Nick almost as much as I do, and will wrap him in the warmth of her love, a love he feels secure in.
Siege, Dung Beetle, Labdad, TwoTrouts, thank you. May your animal companions have long, healthy, happy lives.
jlzania, you nailed it.
ETF, I’m right where you are…with my 14 YO cat. I know the decision is coming. He’s not in pain right now (as far as my vet or I can tell), but when/if he is, I will do what needs to be done. I did it for my beloved Mikey (dog) and I’ll do it for Trouble.
I had to do it to my 20 year old neutered tom, Clapton.
He was my buddy, when I didn’t have one other friend in the world.
2 weeks ago.
I feel like a heel.
Bosda, don’t feel bad about euthanizing a pet. It’s something we do for our animal friends when they are suffering and dying, not something we do to them. We should all be so lucky at the end of our lives that we can gently pass from this world in the arms of someone who loves us.
EFT, I’m so very sorry.