alice
>How are we to know if someone (animal or human) is suffering, and how much
>is too much? They don't always tell us, and sometimes when they do, their
>perception (or ours) isn't always accurate. I have plenty of patients
>(human) who are old, skinny and so arthritic that it takes them quite a
>while to get moving in the morning, who are fiercely opposed to the "Right
>to Die" legislation in Washington state. Some people that you would think
>were suffering alot and were ready to die, aren't. Some other patients, who
>you would think have every reason to live, want to die and we in the ER, of
>course can't let them. This issue has become so grey, that the only way I
>feel I can be sure my old Granny Peach (36 this year) is ready to go is when
>she stops enjoying her feed, stops playing with the foals, basking in the
>rare winter sunshine and/or just lays down and doesn't even try to get up?
>Every winter I think is going to be her last, and she still keeps going.
>Five years ago, I bought her a really nice, expensive winter blanket because
>I was sure she was dying. I changed jobs, moved to a warmer climate, have a
>new vet, different feed, and this year she's fatter, and more sleek and
>shiny than ever. Who Knows????
>
>Happy Trails,
>
>Patty and The Roan
>
>Rainbow Paso Fino Ranch
>4331 Garden Spot Rd.
>Clayton, WA 99110
>
>
*****************************************************************************
Alice Steinke
Willie (15 pound 3 yo red wire), Lacie (7 yo schnauzer mix), Sandy ( 6mo
cocker puppy)
Turbo, the cat
Hannah and Chester, the horses
If I ruled the World, Every Day would be the First day of Spring.
*****************************************************************************