[poohbearsmom]

Wow. This in an excellent topic, albeit a topic brought on by an extemely distressing situation. It is a topic, however, that all pet owners should really put thought into before they are faced with the difficult, and emotional decisions they are faced with more often than they should be.

Speaking personally, I take into consideration the dignity that my dog was born with, and I go from there. I take into consideration a very good point that Larry brought up - our dogs live in the here and now... and to take this thought a step further, I believe that when my animal companion is involved, every consideration needs to made in regards to his/her ability to endure not only the physical repercussions of treatment, but the mental stresses as well. It's so heartbreaking sometimes that these wonderful beasties we share our lives with have no mental capacity to understand the pain and recouperation necessary to withstand some of the medical therapies available today. This, to me, is one of the biggest considerations of all. These are my feelings on the subject, and mine alone... My dog and his/her dignity comes first, no matter how much it may hurt me and my longing to cling to this being that I love so much.

I often think that animals have more fundamental rights than we, as humans do.... more often than not, they have the ability to leave this physical world with the dignity in which they enter it - when they have a selfless guardian.