Pet Advice: A Moral Dilemma

[xxxmx]

my brother josh, who happened to be a poodle, fell down the steps and dislocated his hip when he was eleven. he didn't appear to be in pain, but he couldn't walk easily and began falling to the side. i was sixteen at the time and couldn't imagine life going on without josh in it. we took him in for an examination and decided that if during surgery the vet wasn't optimistic about his recovery, that he would be euthanised during the procedure.

i vividly remember handing him over to the vet and then running out of the office. i'm tearing up thinking about it. i knew it was the right thing to do, as he was already 'getting on in years' and i did not want him to struggle while doing the most basic of things. his whole life consisted of happily making me happy, and it was so hard watching him in that state.

although i know that my decision was a mature and selfless one that was made with his "quality of life" in mind, recalling the confusion in his eyes as i handed him over still makes me sick eight years later.

because you asked advice, i will be of service: if your rat is still getting around and isn't in pain, let him be happy until he isn't so happy anymore.