People can be so cruel at times...

rwbeagles

Some people shut off completely when things like this happen, and vent their sorrows in private...some people never feel okay...about showing grief...or regret. 

I totally agree.  I never saw my dad shed a tear - not when his brothers died and not when his wife of 48.5 years (and the mother of his 5 children) died.

I don't know how close my dad was to his brothers, but I know that he gently and tenderly cared for my mom as severe rheumatoid arthritis stole her ability to function.  He installed doorbells around the house so she could always get his attention.  He kept careful track of all her meds and did everything he could to make her more comfortable.

His constant attention for years said more about his love than tears ever could have. 

For some reasons I really believe that the man wasn't sad, you don't have to cry, but there are many other things that say what you are feeling, and I tell you, he didn't show anything... Anyway, I don't see how it matters. My opinion is that you can't end a life because of a little injury (I say little because I know some animals, not only dogs that live perfectly fine with one eye)...

But, today I've seen the vet (she is a friend of mine, our dogs love to play) and we talked again about everything, she claims that money wasn't a problem - they would let the owner pay how and when he could, and that the bill for the operation would be just a little over the one for the euthanasia...

janet_rose

I totally agree.  I never saw my dad shed a tear - not when his brothers died and not when his wife of 48.5 years (and the mother of his 5 children) died.

It's our culture, which says one thing at times but means another. The notion that people want to hear another man's feelings or see him emote is the actual fiction. What most people want is for the man to shut up and do what is necessary. As for the guy in the story, he may not have enough money to have an expensive surgery for the dog. It is shameful for some guys to admit they don't have enough money, another method by how a man is measured. And it may just as it appears, he wishes the animal put down. For some guys, animals are just property and not worthy of invested emotion. But, for some guys, they may have feelings and anguish but you won't see it. I'm a guy, so you'll have to trust me on this one. Society in general, wants us to stuff it away.

Anything having to do with the ending of a life is difficult.  I can only go by my own experience as a RN and Breeder of long standing. It is incredibly rare to find someone who would want to pass alone.  The final minutes are both frightening and a relief.  Working the ER and Oncology Ward I have been in the room more times than I wanted to be when a person passed.  Only once can I remember a person not reaching out to some degree and that person had profound dementia, it is doubtful they knew what was going in at all.

Animals, IMO , want a connection. Unless they have been horribly abused they tend to want gentle hands and soothing voices when afraid or hurting.  I have a tendancy to believe they understand what folks say , at least what they feel.....having two strangers , or even a known vet and tech hold you with a needle in hand can not be what any animal looks forward to, even for simple vaccines.  I would never use a vet who just walked in and stuck a dog without communicating and connecting.

I think we all deal with the end of life  in our own way. When my vet calls and tells me they have an older couple or a younger child facing the loss of a pet I have no problem being there for them , either to sit with them as they handle things themselves or to step in for them so they will not be forced to handle something they emotionally can't handle.  When I go I would hope, someone will be nearby to know that I am gone.

But that is just one opinion,

Bonita of Bwana