WAS KEVORKIAN REALLY WRONG?

Assisted suicide is something that has been debated not just in the US but through certain parts of the world for years. I always equated euthanasia with animals being put to sleep. I did not become aware that humans could be euthanized until the Jack Kevorkian case gained notoriety in the early 90's. Years after Kevorkian became a household name the debate about assisted suicide became one of those hot button issues that no one in America really wanted to touch because it was too controversial.

Today I read about a set of twins in Belgium that agreed to euthanasia because they found out that they were going blind. To the twins going blind meant they would no longer see each other and given their bond that was unthinkable. The twins were born deaf and they lived together in a flat plus they worked as cobblers. To me it's shocking but the Doctors stated that the twins took the decision in full conscience.

This happening brings forth an interesting question which is the following: Was Kevorkian right? Is assisted suicide a good way to go if a person is in extreme pain? In 2011 in Belgium alone there were over 1,100 cases of assisted suicide due mostly to cancer. A good question to ask is: How do people define extreme pain? It seems like the twins were suffering from emotional distress rather than extreme physical pain. The over 1100 euthanasia deaths registered in 2011were terminal cases.

The fact is that while there are religious arguments to be had as well as moral and ethical discussions this seems to come down to the individual's perception of life. We can't say one way or another if euthanasia is really wrong or for that matter really right.

We can always ask: Was Kevorkian wrong?

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

Dogs are more often than not credited as being man's best friend and a factor in enjoying a slightly lengthier quality of life. Like every living dogs eventually find an expiration date. The problem with that expiration date is that we the owners have to make that decision. So how exactly do we say goodbye to an old friend?

I recently had to deal with the very difficult decision of putting my dog to sleep. The last few days I could tell she was in some real pain. Hip Dysplasia had affected my dog as well as an enormous loss of muscle mass in her hindquarters. I sat with my wife and son and discussed all the possibilities for our dog. At the end of a lengthy and tear filled discussion we realized that there were no options.

We made a decision to have our dog euthanized and made an appointment with the veterinarian. When the day came our old friend was weaker than ever but still willing to behave in the vet's office. Those last few minutes we were asked if we wanted to remain for the procedure and we answered yes. We witnessed our dog taking her last breaths and leaving for a better life. We took our time and petted her once more and said goodbye. When we walked out we realized we had made the right decision for our dog  as hard as it was. We were with our companion until the end and said goodbye the right way.