First of all, to BIG, you are right, the public posters regarding me lately
have been more than kind and written by intelligent, caring people, and
those I respect and appreciate.  Privately, my e-mail has been kinda
discouraging and having me question my faith in humanity lately.  I feel
that before people e-mail me with their brash and uniformed opinions,they
instead e-mail me with a question as to why I feel the way I do.  ( No,
that's not a stupid question).  Or maybe I should just be more explicit
and descriptive.  I don't know anymore.
 
Secondly, I must apoligize to all those who are offended by my post on
euthanasia ( especially to you Danielle) if it made you cry.  It wasn't
meant to make you cry, but instead, make you think, that most of the time,
there are alternatives to euthanasia.  We are not God, We are not God!
There are drugs to ease the pain!  And yes, there are people out there
euthanizing animals for being neurologic.  Staggers, retarded, autistic,
deaf, blind, etc.  If you don't think so, well I can't help you with that
one.  It's happening, and all around us!  I see over 100 ferrets a year
die.  Not just here at the shelter, but with friends, other shelters, vet
clinics, etc.  It never gets easy for me.  Any one of you can take your
tears of grief and multiply them by 100 or more and you will be close to
the tears I shed each year.  I have had friends, family and strangers die
in my arms.  Each and every one who have wanted just one more day.  And I
know, that if I were dying, and my mommy had a needle stuck in my heart or
was going to put me to sleep forever, I would be mad as hell and scared.
Please don't confuse my opinion on euthansia as a cover for my no kill
policy at the shelter.  Many times my vet has called me about one of my
shelter kids and talked me into saying yes.  I hate myself for days and
think of that next kid who was going to the vet, his pear shaped body with
no hair telling me me that I know if he goes to the vet, he won't come home
alive.  For now, he is happy and pain free and frolicks around the shelter
without a care in the world and I say, you're staying with me cuz I know
what the dr is going to tell me if I send you in.  Every day I play with
him tells me I did the right thing.  Many times My drs have said they won't
make it, and I say do your best and send him home to me.  And for those of
you who have experienced a lymphosarcoma patient dying and screaming, or
epileptic siezures, they are traumatic to experiences.  But there will be
better days.  I still believe euthansia is too close to playing God and I
will always let that decision belong to others.
 
Big hugs to all,
Ferretguy
[Posted in FML issue 3393]