We can choose a good death for our pets, why not ourselves?
IN 1986, after coming out of a broken relationship, I bought two cats, Bo and Diddly. Unfortunately, before he was very much older, Bo died, we think from eating poison on the local farm. Diddly survived and was very much loved.
In 2001, I, as his mum, moved to Switzerland and my daughter took on Diddly as her own. In 2005, I moved back to the island and not very long after Diddly became very ill. We did all we could for him, but because he was an old boy and in lots of pain we decided it was time to put him out of his misery. We did not want to go to what we considered might be a sterile environment for our boy, but actually wouldn’t have been.
We asked our vet if he would come out and put our boy to sleep at home. Well, he did and my daughter and I sat on the sofa and the vet gave him his injection and our special friend died in our arms being cuddled and loved. It was so special and meant so much to us that he had a peaceful passing.
Yes, he was a cat, but he was part of our family and gave us comfort when we went through some rough times. Now he has pride of place in our garden under his lovely wooden cross... and now I hear you say what is the point of this?
Well, if we go to this level of caring for our loved pet members of our families, why do we not consider it appropriate that we give this consideration to our family who are suffering in the same way?
I would like to be given the choice as to how I died. I understand this is going to be a very emotive subject, but this is just my take on it and not meant to upset people with opposing views.
Thank you for your time.
Name and address withheld.