Moral obligation to sick cat

[AlanFromWichita]

tovlo4801:

Does this make sense to everyone? I know that I overthink everything, but again we have an 11 year old boy that I want to make sure knows the reasons behind the difference in killing a human to end suffering and killing an animal to end suffering.

1.) It makes sense to me.

2.) I have often been accused of overthinking everything; I’ve come to believe it is both a blessing and a curse.

3.) It sounds like your 11 year old boy has wonderful, kind and loving parents!:clapping:

Alan

 

[aimee]

Annunciata:

When we finally made the decision we went to the Vet. We got an after hour appt. There was a special room with soft music and I sat in a rocker and held him as the Vet injected him in the leg and it was over very quickly. No suffering…he just went to sleep… I was able to stay and hold him for as long as I wanted to…this is a very sad time…but a good memory because I was with him holding, talking softly and rocking him … And, he didn’t suffer… Annunciata

I did something simular with our family dog…it was very painful but I don’t regret it…it was sad…and I can still tear up over it but she was suffering …very painful and sad…

 

[jrabs]

chrisg93:

Does anybody remember the movie “Old Yeller”. Great movie. That was a great dog, battling a bear and stuff. But they had to shoot the dog at the end of the movie. The family was sad but they did what they had to do without having a moral crisis.

Where does this end? My pet earthworm was attacked by a stray snail. I tried to stop it but everything happened so fast! Now he/she has a broken gullet. What sould I do?

Big thumbs down to Chris. If you cannot be nice to those people who have pets and are suffering, then my simple suggestion is just to pass on posting - find a thread that you can make a positive and uplifiting contribution.

 

[chrisg93]

My opinion of animals can be summed up by Jesus…

**"Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. ** Luke 12:7

Jesus was very concerned about the poor, the humble, the sinner and children. I have searched and cannot find a single positive word Jesus said about animals. So I think Jesus had it right, animals are a part of God’s creation but a much, much lesser part than people. Not even in the same ballpark.

I my opinion the treatment of animals falls under Jesus words “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10. We are obliged to treat animals faithfully because they are the very least. This also applies to trees.
As a side note, the Bible is complimentary to ants. I seriously, honestly make a special effort never to step on ants or harm them in any way.

Excessive or inappropriate grieving or affection for an animal is being UNFAITHFUL to little things, UNFAITHFUL to Jesus. Can’t ya’ll understand that?

 

[jrabs]

chrisg93:

Excessive or inappropriate grieving or affection for an animal is being UNFAITHFUL to little things, UNFAITHFUL to Jesus. Can’t ya’ll understand that?

I am not sure what part of Tovlo480’s post expressed excessive or inappropriate grieving. Was a monument being errected? Was a memorial fund being innitaited? Was a mass being offered? No - nothing at all to indicate anything other than natural and normal grief.

I do not think Jesus would have lacked compassion for someone expressing normal grief.

 

[SeekerJen]

chrisg93:

Excessive or inappropriate grieving or affection for an animal is being UNFAITHFUL to little things, UNFAITHFUL to Jesus. Can’t ya’ll understand that?

No. None of the posters here are displaying anything excessive or inappropriate. If you can’t tell the difference than perhaps you have some problems with perspective.

I’ll go say a prayer to St. Francis of Assisi- maybe he will help you out with this. In the meantime, perhaps you should just avoid threads that deal with pets or animals. They seem to bring out your uncharitable side, and might lead you to sin. I avoid the entire Politics board for that very reason.

 

[tovlo4801]

jrabs:

I am not sure what part of Tovlo480’s post expressed excessive or inappropriate grieving. Was a monument being errected? Was a memorial fund being innitaited? Was a mass being offered? No - nothing at all to indicate anything other than natural and normal grief.

I just wanted to add that though I of course do not rejoice in my cat’s death, I am not particularly grieved. I feel sorrow at his suffering. I am not a tree-hugger or a PETA member. My only dilemma was as someone wanting to be certain that she was following God’s will and wanting to understand that decision so it could be explained well to our children. So this post was primarily my attempt to sort out the secular contradictory advice I was receiving from family and friends and trying to pin down the correct action and reason for that action from a Catholic theological perspective. When you are dealing with life and death - even of an animal - and a child’s forming understanding of the world, I think that you have to be careful. I thank all of you who posted. You truly did help me sort out the right answers and I think we’ve managed to leave the right understanding in our son.

 

[Marie]

SeekerJen:

No. None of the posters here are displaying anything excessive or inappropriate. If you can’t tell the difference than perhaps you have some problems with perspective.

I’ll go say a prayer to St. Francis of Assisi- maybe he will help you out with this. In the meantime, perhaps you should just avoid threads that deal with pets or animals. They seem to bring out your uncharitable side, and might lead you to sin. I avoid the entire Politics board for that very reason.

Good advice. Chrisg93 shuts down every thread that crops up about animals so I suspect He/She has a great dislike of animals. People who do not like animals should just stay away from the threads. It’s not nice to pull the wings off from butterflies but Chris seems to enjoy it way too much…

 

[Irish_Melkite]

Mercygate, Buffalo, and ChrisG93,

The callousness of your replies suggests a lack of anything resembling Christian charity or compassion. I think you would all do well to give thought to Proverbs 12:10 “A righteous man regards the life of his animal.”

Neil

 

[Irish_Melkite]

Tovlo,

I have had the sad experience of my now-adult children having to say “goodbye” to beloved pets. They each dealt with it in their own way, consistent with their personalities and their age at the time. My lawn mower must still make circuitous paths around the cluster of “gravestones” (various odd-shaped rocks, each lovingly selected when the time came) that adorns a small section of my backyard. None of the kids ever was there when the vet actually administered the injection; I took that on alone - never really gave them that option - but, I did tell them beforehand and they said “goodbye” (and frequently asked to see and pet the cat’s remains afterwards, as we laid it into whatever box served as the “casket” of the moment). They generally helped me to dig the grave, often giving special attention to the shape, depth, etc. My 2nd youngest, almost 4, recently experienced the loss of a pet cat for the first time that he remembers and was insistent that he be the one to call his adult siblings and tell them that Abby had died and he was going to help Daddy “plant” her. Yes, it’s a “cutesy” story, but it’s the reality of being 4 years old, as is remembering his beloved “fat cat” in his bedtime prayers; an 11 year old will have a different reality, but it will likely be very appropriate for his age - children are remarkably resilient and intuitive.

Was there ever confusion on the part of any of my kids? Were we ever later asked if an elderly, sick relative was going to be “put to sleep”? Sure there was and, yes, we were, and that usually was the time that offered the best opportunity to explain the difference in how one deals with animals versus people. I truly believe - no, I know - that all of my children were very sensitive individuals - even hypersensitive in some cases; there are countless anecdotes throughout each of their lives that testify to that. Yet, they understood and did well with these intrusions on their innocence and have grown up to be caring, concerned adults who love four-footed creatures, have cared lovingly and tenderly for elderly adult relatives, and have a sound perspective on the differences between the two.

I understand and sympathize with your concern about over-thinking, but I suspect you’ll find that your son will recognize your own love, caring, and sensitivity and build on it in his own way. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Many years,

Neil

 

[Sola]

tovlo,

Finella and AlanfromWitchita really hit the head on the difference between euthanizing an animal and how we treat the sick and elderly. God gave us dominion, responsibility for, animals and the environment, so He leaves it to us to use our best Godly judgement about what the right thing to do is.

I believe we as Christians have a moral obligation to act kindly and humanely to all living creatures, and our pets will always have special places in our hearts. It sounds like you are doing the right thing with your old guy, making sure he’s comfortable, but when he is not comfortable anymore, when he suffers, it is time to end his pain.

We really don’t know what happens to animals when they die. Although they do not have human souls, I still think that their animal soul is released back to God. (Bash me if you like)

Anyhoo, may your cat find rest and may your family feel God’s love in His gift of pets to us.

 

[Marie]

Sola:

tovlo,

We really don’t know what happens to animals when they die. Although they do not have human souls, I still think that their animal soul is released back to God. (Bash me if you like)

Right behind you and backing you up. Here is what Father Hardon had to say on the subject.
John A. Hardon:

Q. Is it correct to say that pets do not go to Heaven after death because animals do not have immortal souls? Are religious medals for pets wrong? Do they lead to misunderstanding about animals, souls, and Heaven?

—I.R., Michigan

A. Pets, as pets, do not go to Heaven. But animals and such like beings may be said to be brought to Heaven because, after the Last Day, they can serve as part of the joys of Heaven. In other words, animals and such like creatures may be said to be brought to Heaven to serve as part of our Heavenly joys. Clearly, we do not need pets to provide happiness in Heaven. But pets and such like creatures will be brought to Heaven to become part of our creaturely happiness in the Heavenly kingdom. Consequently, we may say that animals and such like creatures may be brought to Heaven by God to enable us to enjoy them as part of our creaturely happiness in Heavenly beatitude.

Revelation: Presents to us a heavenly vision in which all creatures are standing before the throne of God. Obviously, that glorious gathering is not composed exclusively of saved humanity: “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: ‘To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever’” (Revelation 5:13). In this picture of heaven all creatures are present and praising God together.

 

[Sola]

Excellent post, Marie!

What a wonderful glimpse of Heaven.

 

[NightRider]

Finella:

I think she said she does know the difference but is worried about how to explain that difference to her child in a way that will make sense without sounding cold and callous.​

If this is a senior cat your child has probably not known life without the beloved pet… so the best thing to do is make your choices out of LOVE. I do not like the thought of putting an animal to sleep…

but we just had to make that choice in July. Our cat was 17 and suffering from diabetes related organ failure. Maybe with megabucks we could have done something to prolong her life…

It seemed the most humane and compassionate thing to do was help her end the suffering…and she was most definitely suffering.

I think a good way to explain it to your child (re: the difference between humans and pets) is to tell them that God has the ultimate say in our lives. So only He can decide when it is time for us to go home. But that God put us in charge of all of the animals and trusts our judgement when it comes time to do what is best for them.

Also, even though animals do not have the type of soul that we do… you may not want to say that your pet will not go to heaven. I read another post somewhere that deals with the issue of children losing their pets… to steal their idea, tell the child that God will provide everything we need in heaven and if He sees that we need our pet He will provide.

It is a very personal decision so nobody can tell you what or when to do it. But my advice would be to try and find a way to pay for a vet diagnosis. It will be much easier to explain to your child that putting the cat to sleep was the only option if you can support it with facts and that the vet recommended it.

If your child sees that the decision was made out of love and was your responsibilty to your pet, it will make more sense as they get older. Also, it is important to allow the child (as well as yourself) to properly grieve. It will be a terrible loss for your family. So include your child in making some happy memories…maybe make a collage of photos. Have a “funeral service” where you can say your final good byes…whatever you feel would best help your family find closure.

Please don’t allow your child to be part of the actual process of putting the pet to sleep though. I was there and I am 28. I still think about it.

I hope this was of some help to you. Feel free to PM me if you’d like to talk privately. I hope you can come to a decision that works for your family and your pet.

Finella

Finella,
This is a very well written and well thought out response to the OP. Your suggestions are very balanced and thoughtful of the child. Kudos to your post!

 

[Listener]

Another cat lover here. I just wanted to tell you what happened to me years ago regarding a cat of mine. She was old and her lungs filled with fluid. The vet wanted to operate to remove the fluid. I said yes, even though we really shouldn’t have spent the money. She came home very ill and in a lot of pain. She stayed under the bed, and I knew she was dying. After hours under the bed, all of a sudden she walked out from under the bed. Her fur was standing on end and she looked very healthy. I thought for a minute she had been cured. She walked into the laundry room and kept staring out the window above the clothes dryer. It looked like she saw something really neat out there, like a bird or something. I looked out the window and didn’t see anything. The clothes dryer was covered by a throw rug. Staring with big eyes at the wonderful thing she saw in the window, she leapt up onto the clothes dryer so she could see it better. All of a sudden her claws caught on the rug on top of the dryer. She died instantly at that moment, falling down to the floor with the rug on top of her, in a puddle of body fluids. From that moment on, I became a believer in some sort of animal heaven. I also decided that I really should have put her to sleep instead of making her go through the painful surgery and dying anyway. The other thing I have noticed about cats is that they seem to be able to detect spiritual things. Most of the time, my current cat ignores me. However, if I am sitting in the living room saying the rosary or praying with people, she climbs up on my lap and purrs like a motor boat. When I was a child, I was taught that animals have mortal souls that die when they die. I hope it is okay to believe in kitty heaven. After all, the Bible says that the lion shall lie down by the lamb!

 

[Magster]

I am quite fond of cats and a few years ago wrestled with a similar situation when my dear little kitty (the sweetest of the three I’ve had the pleasure of caring for) developed a kidney condition which the vet said would claim her life in time. He suggested a rather conservative course of treatment in the beginning, basically a diet change, and then things were gradually added, including subcutaneous fluid injections and medications, to the point where it was becoming expensive and time-consuming. The only reason we continued was that the kitty was acting about 95% normal. She just had a little less energy, but maintained her sweet disposition and was playful.

Then kitty had a sudden downturn where her bone marrow failed and the vet said there was really nothing more to be done. The change occurred literally overnight. Because it was clear she was in much distress, I made the painful decision to have her euthanized. It was very sad, but I had to put trust in God. Also, while I believe that human life is sacred, animal life is not. Therefore, euthanizing my little kitty in no way violated God’s plan.

I don’t know what happens to our pets after death. The Bible does not say they go to heaven, but it also does not say they don’t. I like to think that my little kitty, if she went to heaven, is adding to the joy of some child who suffered while on earth, only to find complete peace and joy, sharing in God’s glory in heaven.

 

[archangel]

I Must say that I am truly disappointed in a few of the posts here and am embarrassed that there are people in the church that would approach a fellow Christian in this manner. This woman was clearly trying to discern her part in God’s will regarding an animal of His creation currently under her stewardship. Secondly, she was looking for guidance in explaining the situation properly to her children. Would that we all take our responsibilities this seriously! These are legitimate questions, not invitations to contentious debate. I pray that when non-Catholic seekers come to Christ’s church in these forums or elsewhere, they are met with sincere guidance as reflected in the majority of these posts and not these strange personal attacks.

Deus te amat