"Reet"
I agree with you to a point, Yes that is instinctual behaviour for wild
animals hide/burrow when the are sick or dying, because they are prime
targets for predatory animals.
 
But I dont think that domesticated animals are going to pretend they are
ok so the family cat wont eat them.  Animals are pretty stoic about pain..
especially dogs.  I a have not had the misfortune of an injured ferret,
and hope I never do.  But when an animal is terminally ill and has stopped
eating and the "spark" has gone out of their eyes, Then that would be a
time to put them down, but if that same animal is STILL eating and pooping
and has got some of the spark...I would not put it down.  Sometimes I
wonder about Phoebe...she spends most of her day sleeping..now what kind of
life is that..but at 3:15 in the morning..almost like clockwork, I feel her
scamper across my face..hear her cruise the room and find paper bag to play
in for 15 minutes, til Louis cant stand it anymore and gets up.
 
I know she is old and the insulinoma is going to kill her, but right now
she has quality of life, and i spend as much AWAKE time with her as
possible..even if that means 3:15 in the morning.
 
just my opinion
June Louis and the zoo
[Posted in FML issue 2808]