Expert: Alex Wilding - 6/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: Alex,

I am having a great deal of difficulty with the choice to euthanize my belovd cat. He is almost 19 years old and has been failing rapidly in the last few days. He  is a diabetic and for the past 6 years I have been giving him insulin twice a day and I also administer fluids to him every other day for his kidney failure.  I have a very strong belief in Buddhism and I am torn about the decision to put him to sleep.  I do feel that he is now at the point of suffering but to make the life & death decision is breaking my heart.  The fact that he is alive after all he has been through physically with his disease has astonished my veterinarian. She says she has never seen anyone keep a cat alive so long and keep his illness managed for so many years.  I do not know what to do.  A few years ago I did have another cat suffer and die in front of me and it was a horrible death to see him gasping for his last breath. I had also gone above and beyond to keep his illness under control and keep him alive. I do not want to cause my beloved cat to suffer like that but I have such a difficult time with "playing God".  Please give me advice as quickly as possible from a Buddhist stand point.  Thank you very much for your time.

ANSWER: Dear Cherie,

I feel for you deeply, as a cat lover myself. Many Western Buddhists have been through this. I can only offer you my opinion, based on discussions with quite a few other people.
1) You have already given your cat a far better, longer life than nature would.
2) The ulitmate critereon has to be compassion.
3) It's obviously got to the stage where all that awaits your cat is more suffering.
4) *If* there is something "bad" about the euthanasia, take the consequences on yourself (the "bad karma", if there is any, and the heartache) gladly out of love for your cat.

I have known people who have wished that they could be given the same release.

Like I say, only my opinion, but one that is widely shared.

Obviously, if you also know any prayers for the dead, they may help a bit, especially with your own feeling.

Best wishes to you both
AW

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I do not know what you mean when you say " prayers for the dead".  I have a lot to learn with Buddhism and obviously have not reached enlightenment.
Thank you for your wishes, I greatly appreciate it.

Answer
Hi Cherie,
You say you "obviously have not reached enlightenment". Who has?
These prayers essentially just give form to the wish that the "beneficiary" of the prayer will find a good rebirth, and one that leads swiftly to enlightenment. One that is popular in Tibetan Buddhism prays that she/he/they will be born in the presence of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light. But I'd guess that formal prayers like that will only feel right if they are used in a tradition to which you are connected in some way. So if that is not the case, perhaps just saying something to yourself - or out loud, for that matter - from time to time in the days following his end, wishing your cat well and wishing him a good future might be a good way to go about it. After all, if these prayers work at all, isn't it going to be the motivation and sincerity that count for much more than the actual formal words?
If you like, and for what it's worth, when the time comes you could tell me your cat's name and I'll include him in my own prayers.