|
April 04, 2005
Spare me from the culture of death!
I've talked about death being a personal thing, and meanwhile others carry on about the "Culture of Death." As it happens, I'm dealing with a culture of death right now, as I agonize over what to do about Puff. In addition to being unable to walk, he's now incontinent, and the canine Alzheimers has worsened -- to the point where his nighttime barking (for no reason) is making it increasingly impossible to sleep. I can't expect much sympathy from anyone, because the solution is simple: put the poor dog to sleep. I wrote about this not long ago, and at the time I said that Puff would let me know "when it's time." The time draws nearer and nearer. Yet Puff is still Puff, he still has some quality of life -- and above all he is still "there." Yet this canine culture of death lurks constantly in the background, always reminding me of my "responsibility" to "end the animal's suffering." I realize how absurd it must sound, referring to this as a culture of death. It's between me and my vet and my dog. Besides, as the cultural scolds would remind me, animals are not human, and should not be treated that way. Humans must be allowed, forced even, to experience endless suffering as part of the experience we call "human" -- even though we freely recognize that to allow an animal to experience the full, slow agony of a protracted death would be "cruel." We know this, of course, because we just know it. So we are told. Double standards abound. I've never fully understood the "need" to cut off the balls of "man's best friend" any more than I'd understand the need to do the same to a human best friend. People [usually this type] tell me that my dog isn't "fixed" (as if I didn't know he had balls) -- with a sanctimonious look which suggests I'm insufficiently respectful of authority or something. Hey my dog isn't broken in that sense. I don't let him wander, and he won't tie up with any of the nonexistent bitches in heat that aren't running around, so spare me the pompous moral lectures. The last thing I need is a moral lecture on the culture of death. I'm in the middle of it, and it hurts to be reminded. AFTERTHOUGHT: I could go on about the need moral assholes seem to have to hassle people when they're at their wits' end dealing with life and death issues, (or when they're depressed, lost or under pressure -- the way cultists proselytize college students during exams) but I don't wish to appear provocative. For what it's worth, I can remember a time when this country largely consisted of people who minded their own business. The Republican Party used to be full of them. Even the Democrats used to not mess with personal issues. (Nice memories, at least....) UPDATE: Link fixed above. UPDATE (04/12/05): Glenn Reynolds is on record as having no desire to be "fixed." posted by Eric on 04.04.05 at 04:15 PM
Comments
Thanks for sharing that with me. It does help, even though I have to go through this myself. (And I've gone through this before, but it's one of those things not made any easier by experience.) Eric Scheie · April 4, 2005 07:23 PM |
|
December 2006
WORLD-WIDE CALENDAR
Search the Site
E-mail
Classics To Go
Archives
December 2006
November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 May 2002 See more archives here Old (Blogspot) archives
Recent Entries
Laughing at the failure of discourse?
Holiday Blogging The right to be irrational? I'm cool with the passion fashion Climate change meltdown at the polls? If you're wrong, then so is God? Have a nice day, asshole! Scarlet "R"? Consuming power while empowering consumption Shrinking is growth!
Links
Site Credits
|
|
Eric, it is a most difficult decision you have to make. We have cats, and have had to make the decision 3 times. Two others died naturally without showing any real signs of ill health, and another died after surgery. It is not easy at all. Nothing anyone can say will help. But, be strong and do what you must. I cried so hard I could hardly drive home from the vet. as my wife held our last one, Pippin, a year ago. They are all buired in the back yard with markers. Your pets are important and a part of you. Good luck.