Euthanizing pets...

[ThreeVows]

Perhaps it is worth noting that in the Velama Sutta, it is said that the merit of even a whiff of goodwill is a higher merit than that of keeping the precepts.

[Malcolm]

Putting a dog down, or any other animal for that matter is without doubt the worst part of owning an animal.
Unfortunately it is part of being a responsible animal owner.
Good luck and best wishes.

I think owning a sentient being is the worst part of owning an animal.

[PadmaVonSamba]

Putting a dog down, or any other animal for that matter is without doubt the worst part of owning an animal.
Unfortunately it is part of being a responsible animal owner.
Good luck and best wishes.

I think owning a sentient being is the worst part of owning an animal.

Nobody really “owns” anything
that doesn’t go with you when you die.
But yeah, the whole cages and leashes thing.

[DharmaJunior]

'Thing' is a keyword here. viewing other living beings as a commodity; surplus to requirement; replaceable etc. The owned belongs in a meritocracy as each being having it's unique utility (not to mention this sometimes involves a level of manufactured consent). The own (er) does not have any specifiable utility, but seems to do so on the basis of class or status quo, so might makes right, that sort of thinking. One could go so far as to suggest this degrades the owner, as a parasitic relation between one tamed animal with perceived utility and another without (or entitlement in other words).

Of course co-existence between species is very well documented, way before the fuzzy show pets of the modern world, so we see a lot more reciprocal bonding (not bondage) without the burden of thinking too much about it. That's not to suggest when some 'thing' loses its usefulness or functionality we pay no mind to separating in an amicable and dignified manner, nor is it reasonable to suppose sentimentality or lack there-of.

It does seem reasonable that merit as utility and debt are non virtuous in a Buddhist context. Our beloved pets are more often than not invaluable and clearly they have access to good end of life care after all the brushing, feeding, watering and exercise they're offered.

[Inge]

On the other hand, I cannot imagine that it is possible to avoid hell by letting a pet suffer very long. The precept "not killing' will be fulfilled, but it's quite a deed without compassion. It's just following a rule without considering the circumstances. How ethical is that?

Aren’t we all suffering in samsara? Why doesn’t the buddhas and bodhisattvas put us all to sleep? Do they have no compassion since they are not euthanising us all? Are they going to hell because of that?

Is the second noble truth that the physical body is the cause of suffering? And is the path that leads to the end of suffering, to destroy the physical body?

I think that in many cases people just can’t bear the feelings they feel when witnessing the pain of others. And mistake this for compassion.

[Ayu]

On the other hand, I cannot imagine that it is possible to avoid hell by letting a pet suffer very long. The precept "not killing' will be fulfilled, but it's quite a deed without compassion. It's just following a rule without considering the circumstances. How ethical is that?

Aren’t we all suffering in samsara? Why doesn’t the buddhas and bodhisattvas put us all to sleep? Do they have no compassion since they are not euthanising us all? Are they going to hell because of that?

Is the second noble truth that the physical body is the cause of suffering? And is the path that leads to the end of suffering, to destroy the physical body?

I think that in many cases people just can’t bear the feelings they feel when witnessing the pain of others. And mistake this for compassion.

Your thoughts are valid as well.
The more I think about it, I think it's not possible to judge this matter in general. It really depends on the individual case.

By uttering generalized statements about euthanizing pets we can only increase the possibility for saying something wrong.

[muni]

Here was a cat who started to become huge. I took him to the vet. His heart was enormous and was pushed against his lungs. He was so huge because he had water accumulation. He got pills but they didn't help the water reducing, he had it difficult. I had to rush back to the vet to avoid an awful death for him; being drown from inside.

In this way, there was sadly, no doubt.

In case of doubt, it is certainly not easy.

[Inge]

I think this is the worst part. I just wanted to help someone who was in a horrible situation. And now I have to decide if they live or die?!?! I did not sign up for that.

[Konchok_Drolkar]

Good day,
I have been watching this thread for a while. I have a 13 year old husky (Aiko) with failing health and will have to make the decision soon about euthanization.

I read this today from HE Garchen Rinpoche and thought I would share.. (The below is from Death & Dying Instructions -
a book by H.E. Garchen Rinpoche.)

Animal Friends
General Instructions
Garchen Rinpoche has general advice on how to help our animal friends die. We can give animals blessing pills and touch them with any form (sticker, blanket, bracelet, etc.) of the liberation by touch mantra. If possible, have the animal’s head point west. Garchen Rinpoche says dogs naturally die with their heads pointing West. We can also play the Amitabha mantra close to their ears and recite the same prayers that we recite for humans. Reciting the mantras of
Chenrezig or Amitabha and then blowing on their bodies blesses them with the mantra winds. In addition, we should pray that in the future the animal will be born in Dewachen or as a precious human being and not again take birth in the lower states of existence.
Euthanasia
Garchen Rinpoche says that, at the doctor’s recommendation, euthanizing an animal that is old or has a serious, painful terminal illness is best for the animal. Euthanasia should be conducted with the utmost compassion for the animal’s suffering, and the above general instructions also apply to help the animal transition.

I also bought a Liberation cloth for when the time should arise for Aiko. I purchased from here:

https://land-of-medicine-buddha-shop.sq ... cst=custom


Thank you for letting me share.
-For the benefit of all beings,
-Konchock

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha