Such a hard decision, Gotcha, and I'm sorry you have to make it. I shouldn't really advise you, but I can empathize, and I can assure you that whatever you decide to do will be the valid result of a lot of well-intended, well-considered thinking. I've had to euthanize two dogs in my life, and in both cases the choice was pretty clearcut, yet still I second-guessed myself. I think that's pretty natural, no matter what the circumstances. Now, reading your letter, I'm actually third-guessing myself--wondering if I waited a few weeks too *long* before putting Zephyr and Katie to sleep.
I'm sitting here trying to think like someone wise, someone impeccably ethical... (What would Socrates do? Or maybe Jesus?) But I'm at a loss. Partly I just don't know Wiley well enough--in fact, I don't know him at all. Surely Bill is the person you need to consult with, commiserate with, grieve with, about this decision. Clayton too, maybe, and certainly you should ask your vet about it since he's been at least an observer of this very dilemma many times. From what you write, it seems as if you're taking on the choice-making burden pretty much all by yourself (with a little consolation from your friends). I could be wrong about this, of course. Let me just say, in general, that what to do with Wiley should probably be a family decision--and, now that I think of it, his daily care should also be a family burden. I hope that's not presumptuous--it just seems like you're taking on complete responsibilty for Wiley's daily care and his future, while the others are just "unhappy" or "unhelpful," and that's hardly fair.
Just know that whatever you do, you'll be doing what you think, and maybe even know, to be the best for all of you. And that's the best any of us can ever do. Love you.
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Date: 2011-02-25 06:51 pm (UTC)I'm sitting here trying to think like someone wise, someone impeccably ethical... (What would Socrates do? Or maybe Jesus?) But I'm at a loss. Partly I just don't know Wiley well enough--in fact, I don't know him at all. Surely Bill is the person you need to consult with, commiserate with, grieve with, about this decision. Clayton too, maybe, and certainly you should ask your vet about it since he's been at least an observer of this very dilemma many times. From what you write, it seems as if you're taking on the choice-making burden pretty much all by yourself (with a little consolation from your friends). I could be wrong about this, of course. Let me just say, in general, that what to do with Wiley should probably be a family decision--and, now that I think of it, his daily care should also be a family burden. I hope that's not presumptuous--it just seems like you're taking on complete responsibilty for Wiley's daily care and his future, while the others are just "unhappy" or "unhelpful," and that's hardly fair.
Just know that whatever you do, you'll be doing what you think, and maybe even know, to be the best for all of you. And that's the best any of us can ever do. Love you.