I think that it doesn't matter what it is pain, whether it be a ferret or
a human, we do not want to see them go.  If they go, they leave us.  So
we try to hang on to them so that we don't have to face the hurt and loss.
I have witnessed this in the nursing home where I worked.  Family members
have actually said that they have things they need to say and want just
one more day and keep the family member on life support.  And this is even
when they know the person is suffering.
 
Almost a year ago we lost our Sweet Pea.  We were hoping to have many
years with her, but fate said no.  She had a stroke.  My husband was
really upset because she became attached to him and he to her.  He kept
saying "Let's give her a little more time.  Maybe she will get better."
Dr Weiss told us that she had a slim chance of being okay, but she would
never fully function.  We asked to see her and when I looked into her eyes
I knew that we were looking out for our feelings and not her.  There was
no life in her eyes.  I could feel her little body tensing.  After he held
her he told me that it hurt to let her go, but watching her hurt was even
more painful.  So, reluctantly we let her go the bridge.  After days of
crying and wondering if she was better off, we decided that she didn't
hurt any more.  And we know that she is in a better place and we celebrate
the few months that we had with her.
 
I think that we all come to the point when we know that the pain an animal
feels is not worth us having one more day.  Eventually we will be together
again.
 
Melissa
[Posted in FML issue 3749]