Mar 20 2009
When can we say “Enough is enough”?
This morning I was forced by circumstance to take my cat to the vet to have her euthanized. While this is a very sad event in my personal life, I do realize that it does not exactly constitute a “current event” (I had planned on writing about the Pope’s statements about condoms and HIV transmission, but that’s another post for another day). However, the ordeal got me thinking about life, what it’s worth, and when to quit.
I let the goat drive home so I could hold the bundle in my arms. I petted her, even though she couldn’t feel it, even though I couldn’t feel her through the blankets and towels. We believe we made the right choice. My cat was 11 years old, and she wasn’t purring when we put her in the car. She was in pain and cried in the office, and when the gave her that shot, she sighed peacefully. As much as I hated having that decision on my hands, I felt it was right, and the goat agreed. She said that she would rather go “like that” than be made to suffer.
It’s a tough line to draw. I have friends who have come back from terminal diagnoses. I know people who live with pain - physical, emotional, and mental - every day. I want to fight the good fight until my last, natural, breath. But sometimes I wonder what price we pay to continue a life with no quality to it.
The goat seems to support “assisted suicide”. I don’t know what I believe yet. Part of me wants everyone to live forever. Part of me thinks that such killings are an act of mercy. How much suffering must one endure before being allowed to rest? How can one make an informed decision? When is death truly inevitable?
I don’t know where to draw these lines. I know many people look to their faith to answer such questions, but when I look to mine I still draw a blank. Which is more important - life or happiness?
I would appreciate input from all belief systems. It’s easy to decide, in theory, whether or not it is morally sound to put a cat “to sleep.” It’s an entirely different game when human lives are at stake. So please share your views with me while I sort this all out. I promise a less selfish entry in the near future.
