Why do we put animals out of their misery but let humans suffer?

[Freshton]

A relative is currently dying a slow and horrible death from terminal cancer. In palliative phase and last few days now as can't swallow or take any liquids.

It's truly opened my eyes. I had no idea how medieval things were still when it comes to death. I've been truly horrified at what people are expected to endure in their final weeks and what their relatives have to witness.

I can't understand why we put animals to sleep to spare them suffering but humans still have to deal with this slow and undignified end.

I've never been much in favour of assisted dying as not had to think about it but after seeing what I've seen, I really hope something can change. I'll be haunted for the rest of my life by what I've seen in last few weeks.

I remember coming across a group who beleived pet animals should be left to have a natural end of life. That was weird, and clearly not a majority view. Anyway, I agree with you OP. I hope the laws change by the time my time comes around. A member of our family is in a care home. She's angry and depressed and clueless, spends her days doing nothing of what she used to enjoy. She's fed, washed, dressed, etc., and spends her day in a chair in a loud and bright communal area. The facility staff are nice and we trust them, but this isn't living and she wouldn't have wished for this. We love her so much. I hope she doesn't realise what her life is like.

I agree with you. I had to watch my mum die a slow and painful death, it was horrific. Compared to when my cat became ill and I held him as he purred away before peacefully dying. I'd much prefer to go the way my cat went if I were seriously ill.

I've worked in end of life care in the community and I strongly believe in the right to choose.
There can be such a difference in people's experiences at the end.

Can you choose in Great Britain? Can you also choose to travel to countries where it is allowed?

Totally agree. I've thought since way for many years, having witnessed the last few days for both my parents, back when I was in my 20s.

In a very short space of time, I lost my dad, my grandmother and my dog. The only one afforded a peaceful and dignified death was my dog. I’ve always been in favour of assisted dying and watching both people suffer such awful and traumatic deaths reinforced that decision.

It can only be the individual’s choice. We can’t decide on behalf of others that their life is not worth living.

Our government can’t be trusted not to fuck it up. Plus there’s likely to be a lot of people trying to abuse it and bully people into it to protect inheritance. You may think you’ll want to pull the plug when it’s time but it’s human instinct to want to keep going.

I only agree with assisted dying in clear cut cases of terminal illness really when it's certain what's going to happen. In countries where it's already legal it seems to be used by a lot of people outside that category Ie with mental illness but who are physically health and also young. It's such a difficult topic

I suppose it’s because it’s a slippery slope. How do you have the right to choose without it becoming like Canada?

having witnessed my parents and fil suffering a horrific death, I have thought this for a long time. my dog became very ill and we ended his pain quickly and with sedation it was peaceful. it could be open for abuse but safeguards would have to be put in place such as Dr signature and pre signed wishes before people are ill

Hard agree. The dignity and care we afford our pets at the end is such a contrast to what we experience if it’s an elderly human relative. I feel very sad for my mum that I couldn’t grant her the dignified, pain-free, peaceful death I gave my dog.

I agree in the strongest possible way. We should have assisted dying - and not just for the terminally ill. It is barbaric.

I think anyone who has had to witness someone dying a slow and painful death agrees with you

Relatives don’t have to witness deaths. You didn’t.
I won’t be allowing any of my relatives to do the deathbed vigil.

The reasons we can put animals down is because they are property not persons. The animal doesn’t need to consent to their own death. It’s up to their owner whether they live or die.

Human beings are not comparable to animals.

This makes me so angry and I am sorry you are going through this. Like you, I watched a close relative die a truly awful death. The staff in the hospice were amazing but it didn't change anything. It is cruel to keep someone alive who knows the end is nigh and does not want to be here.

The act of choice is significant here. Currently we do not have choice. If the law was changed, it would allow choice. Those who are against it, are making their own choice for themselves but taking my choice away from me. It is disgraceful and I urge anyone to speak with their local politicians and support the group who are actively trying to give us that choice:

https://www.dignityindying.org.uk/

I don’t agree.
And these kinds of arguments show that people are backing assisted dying out of self interest. It isn’t for the benefit of the elderly person living the last weeks or days.

This is just waffle. The point is, as individuals we don't have the choice for ourselves. The argument is not about making a decision for someone else, it's about having the choice to make a decision about your own life.

The act of choice is significant here. Currently we do not have choice. If the law was changed, it would allow choice. Those who are against it, are making their own choice for themselves but taking my choice away from me.

You can end your life whenever you choose. There is no right to have a state funded death with assistance from a state funded doctor.

You have the choice.

Animals are sometimes put down because their owners can't/won't pay for their treatment. Not something I would want for humans.

Of course it is. It's about giving EVERYONE not just me or you the choice. By not backing the assisted dying law, you are protecting your own choice but taking my choice away from me. How is that fair?

Agreed. The thought of a long protracted death scares most people. Let’s have the option to decide when we’re done and get the hell out of here.

The problem is not everyone is given a right to choose. They suffer because there is no other choice apart from the fear of your loved ones being jailed for helping you end it.

I think those are valid points. But I think they are less applicable in situations similar to OP’s relative - people with days left to live, in distress and pain, and assisted dying would be saving hrs of pain, not taking months of life. No one’s getting any inheritance any sooner, or saving any meaningful care fees.