Expert: Justin Choo - 7/1/2008

Question
I have a dog that needs to be put down.  I am struggling with this decision as I believe that all life is sacred and I am responsible for his life.  But according to all the doctors we have done all we can do without spending in excess of $3000.  How can I help to accept taking his life for his own good?

Answer
Hi Tim,

Yours is a very common dilemma where there is no simple answer.  As an arm-chair commentator, it is very easy to recommend against putting a life "to sleep."  What "god-given" right do we have to decide on whether a life should live or not?  If we are the "victims" do we want others to put us "down"?

On the other hand, we may be tempted to consider the "advantages" and "convenience" of taking the "appropriate humane" decision. If we don't have any spiritual value or any humane conscience, then the decision is very easy.  

So, where do we go from here?  I really cannot give you any advise.  Such is the reality of existence, where sometimes we are not given an easy choice.  This in Buddhism is "Dukkha" which means "very difficult to bear".

On the question of killing, the Buddha had clearly explained what constitute killing.  When these five conditions are fulfilled, it is killing in the "first degree":

 1. The victim must be a living being.
 2. The killer must know the victim is a being.
 3. The killer must have the volition to kill the victim.
 4. The action of killing must be performed by the killer.
 5. The victim dies as a result of this act.

Perhaps in your circumstance, you may like to enquire how long your pet will "suffer" before its end.  Maybe it won't be too long.  Then you would be saved from the agony of putting it to sleep.  Let nature takes its course.  

The choice is yours, for it will be you who will have to live with whatever choice you take.  

justinchoo :-)