As far as human euthanasia goes... I wish we could help our human loved ones pass when there is no hope left. Instead we pump them full of pain medication and stand vigil while they lapse in and out of consciousness. I've been through what you're going through before, it's absolutely heart wrenching. I've never felt so helpless in my life. I don't know how much clearer Simon could tell you that he loves you and appreciates your love. You may want to tell him (if you haven't already), that it's okay for him to go. When my Vixen was passing and we were waiting for the vet to arrive, I kept telling her that soon the pain and sickness would be over. That she was going to a place were she would never be afraid again, that there would never be pain again, that she would be whole and happy. I called on all my animal friends that had passed and I know they were there to greet her.
Simon may be trying to hold on to life because he knows how much you want him to stay. Sally has told a story about her experience of just such a time. Her angel had been suffering and holding on, when Sally finally told her it was okay to leave, her cat peacefully passed.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I think that Simon is dying, but I am not sure. Just two hours or so ago, maybe more, he was lying on his back with his legs spread apart getting belly rubs from me and my partner and purring incredibly loudly. He ate two bites of food. He got up and laid down on his side and seemed to sleep. After a half hour or so he got up and moved and looked uncomfortable to me, but still purred when I pet him. So I gave him 50 c of fluids, thinking he might be dehydrated. After the fluids he got up and walked a few steps, then meowed plaintively twice and laid down and was breathing and twice normal speed but otherwise not moving. His breathing slowed to slower than normal after a few seconds and he has just been lying there quietly on his side ever since with his eyes closed. I am not sure if he is sleeping. he opened his eyes and looked at me once, then lifted his head and licked his lips as if nauseous. He was due for a reglan so I gave it to him. He then put his head back down and closed his eyes and is still lying still like that, breathing slowly. he is not panting or gasping, his mouth is closed, he is not making any noises. He is not purring either, though, when I pet him. I do not know if he is asleep or just very weak. I am not sure what happened when I gave him the fluids. A friend who called me said I should euthanize him. My partner says not to, that he seems peaceful and may go peacefully on his own, but my partner is also against euthanasia. I really am not sure what to do. I generally think it is better to go peacefully on one's own than to get a shot, if it is possible. He looks peaceful, but I do not know how he feels. My partner also says that he turned around so much last night after 8 hours of hiding and looking miserable to suddenly wanting pets and belly rubs and eating some and drinking, that maybe something just happened from the fluids and he will sleep it off and have a little bit more quality time. Everyone says you just "know" by looking at them what to do and when. I do not agree, for me at least. I really don't know. I feel torn between people who think that once the death process starts it is cruel not to euthanize because why put them through this, and people who are totally against euthanasia. I feel like if there were a standard for doing it with humans I might find comfort in that and feel I could know it was time with an animal, but suffering is suffering so if no one would euthanize a human in the stat that simon is in then why is it that people think it is cruel not to euthanize him? I have been laying by his side all day, and all last night, and all yesterday. Some people say that not euthanizing is selfish and is for the human, but I know that I will soon have to mourn him and it is not like it is easier for me to lay here and watch him go through all these little rollercoasters. I really do just want to do what is best for him, but just do not know what that is.
Michelle
