There are those who believe that euthanasia is sometimes the kindest alternative. This assumes that humans can ever really know what all the alternatives might be.
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| Newborn Chihuahua (Toronja Azul) |
Although laws forbid a widespread practice of human euthanasia, animals are not nearly as well protected.
The following stories
illustrate the limitations of human knowledge concerning seemingly hopeless animal plights.
On August 12, 2012 UPI.com reported that a six-month-old puppy was rescued from a Detroit sewer by the Michigan Humane Society. Although no one quite knows (or is saying) how the puppy got there, a caring passerby heard the desperate
yelps and signaled for help.
One of the rescuers stated that the puppy (that easily could have been given up for dead) was "definitely happy to be out of there."
Then there's the September 23, 2011 TODAY.com story about the abused dog Harper (found squirming within a trash bag) that suffered from "swimmer puppy disorder" (pectus
excavatum). This is a condition which "causes puppies to lie flat on their chests with their legs perpetually splayed out, as if
they were humans – or perhaps frogs – swimming through water."
When discovered, Harper was taken to a local animal shelter. One of the shelter workers decided to take Harper home for one night of loving care before what was thought to be an inevitable euthanization.
This care involved massaging Harper's stiff muscles in order to relieve some of the pain.
After just a few hours of such merciful attention, Harper showed marked signs of improvement.
With subsequent donated hydrotherapy and massage therapy, Harper began walking and living a healthful life.
On August 1, 2012 photographer Stonehouse Hudson uploaded an image of John Unger and his dog Schoep which then went viral.
The photo showed Schoep being cradled by Unger while both were immersed in the waters of Lake Superior.
Unger was told that Schoep "had severe arthritis and may need to be put down soon." He responded by providing water therapy for Schoep within the lake. Schoep's
limp began to improve from this therapy. People
who saw the Internet photo then offered to help. One
woman paid for Schoep to have "the latest laser therapy on his joints." Other viewers sent "packages of glucosamine, treats and other treatments to help Schoep with joint pain."
So who's to say when a life is really hopeless? Human perspectives are often quite clouded by ignorance and self-interest. Those who
can't create life might wish to therefore cease from destroying it. These three animal rescues illustrate just what a life-and-death difference the power of love can make.
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia
http://animaltracks.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/08/10/13201367-in-loving-arms-man-floats-his-sick-dog-to-sleep-becomes-internet-sensation?lite
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44617504/ns/today-good_news/t/deformed-puppy-rescued-trash-learns-walk/
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2012/08/10/Puppy-rescued-from-Detroit-sewer/UPI-46391344623612/
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