Euthanasia is a part of veterinary medicine. Fortunately, the veterinary hospital I work at takes euthanasia VERY seriously, and values every animal's life as if it were one of our own.

Today was almost a very sad day at our hospital. A little old dog belonging to an elderly client was almost killed because the dog's self-appointed caregiver was growing tired of meeting the needs of a geriatric dog (i.e, basically increased bathroom breaks). The dog's elderly owner was not happy with the decision, but to his credit, did not feel there was any other humane alternative. He did not want his little old dog to have to go off to some other strange home, which though kindly would put up with accidents, was still unfamiliar, and thus frightening.

It was a quiet afternoon today, a beautiful, warm, sunny day. Because of her perceived deterioration (read housesoiling), this little old dog had been dropped off this morning at our hospital, to sit in a kennel awaiting her end while the humans sorted out the times and logistics. My boss, the veterinarian who ultimately won the reprieve, asked me if I would please take the little old dog for one last walk before her humans arrived to witness the euthanasia.

We struck out on a nearby trail, this happy, bright, high-stepping little old dog and I. We walked for about a half hour, and she never lost her enthusiasm. She greeted people and dogs on the trail, she smelled all the smells, she walked in the creek and drank its clear running water.

And all the while I kept thinking - can we keep animals as pets and still meet THEIR needs? Because this dog's impending death was all about the caregiver's needs, not the dog's.

In the end the euthanasia was postponed, they all agreed to sleep on it. Mostly because the veterinarian was not about to say it was okay to kill a little old dog today for peeing in the house too much.

So a reprieve was granted.

But still, that question. Can we continue to keep animls as pets, and still meet THEIR needs?
Of course, in light of all the obvious cruelty spawned by the pet industry - the millions of companion animals killed every year for lack of homes, the untold numbers of chained dogs, yard dogs, grow-op dogs, the puppy mills, the pet shops, the feral cats, the abandoned rabbits, the caged birds and reptiles... well of course the resounding answer would be "NO" in the face of all the aformentioned suffering.

But then there is the "good pet owner" argument that tries valiently to justify the keeping of other species as pets.

Well, this is for all those who champion the "good pet owners justify the ownership of pets" theory. This little old dog's human representatives are, in your books, "good pet owners". Money is no object. Good nutrition and frequent visits to the groomers, no problem. Vet bills, no problem. Walks every day, no problem. Stylish bandanas around the neck, no problem.

Cleaning up pee in the house all the time.....well....maybe it's time to "let her go."

Again, please ask yourself: Can we continue to keep animals as pets and still meet THEIR needs?

And do "good" pet owners justify pet ownership?

Well, today I asked myself "What the hell is a "good" pet owner?" At one time I thought I knew, but apparantly the definition is dicey at best.