One thing stood out to me in the original post. She mentioned having just seen the movie Saving Private Ryan. I chose not to watch this movie, so I don't know what it was like, but I did hear it was very emotional and heart wrenching. Perhaps this was what prompted the questions on how to prevent the suffering of our animal friends. I am one that must be very careful in what movies I watch, books I read, etc. I *know* how I am affected emotionally. Not for hours, days, or weeks. Forever. I was recently asked if I had seen/would see the movie Marley And Me. No.... never. My teacher read the story of Bambi to us when I was in the first grade. I sobbed hysterically, and threw up. That was many years ago, still a very vivid memory. So, did the movie affect the original poster in such a way she felt compelled to *prepare* for some horrible happening in her life by euthanizing her animals Maybe. Sometimes our emotions can play cruel tricks on our otherwise very reasonable world. Ardith [Posted in FML 6336]