42 min reading time

Our beloved King Charles Cavalier, the first pet I’ve ever had, died on Saturday. It hit me harder than I thought it would.

Named after my hometown, 11-year-old “Brooklyn” had a biopsy on Friday. We learned he had cancer of the mouth.

We decided as a family to euthanize him on Saturday. He was in great discomfort and we didn’t want to see him suffer.

Which got me thinking about euthanasia… for humans.

+++

In Washington state where I reside, euthanasia is legal. I witnessed one last year.

At 11 a.m., Joan drank a cocktail to prevent her from vomiting the poison to follow.

At noon, she drank another cocktail, this one fatal. She was incredibly lucid as she drank it and for the three minutes thereafter, still talking as though nothing had happened.

I believe her last words were a slurred, “I love you” before she fell into a deep sleep.

20 minutes or so later, she expired.

It was surreal.

An hour later we six witnesses sat outside, sharing a meal. Soon, I’d have to go pick up the kids from school and continue living life.

+++

Unlike Brooklyn, Joan completely understood what she was doing. Like Brooklyn, neither she or her family wanted her to continue suffering.

I wonder how we, as a group of medical device professionals working to prolong life, feel about this sensitive topic.

And I wonder if all of our perspectives have a religious, moral, or legal foundation.

Are you willing to share your thoughts on euthanasia today?

+++++

Thanks for reading and participating,

Joe Hage
Founding Principal,
Medical Devices Advisory Group

---

Gary Baker, Esq., MT
Managing Director of the Quine IP Law Group
Sorry to hear that. Cancers are a bigger problem for pets.

Julie Omohundro
Principal Consultant at Class Three, LLC
Euthanasia and suicide are two very different things. Euthanasia is ending someone else’s life, with or without their permission. Suicide is ending one’s own life, with or without assistance

Ric Eittreim
Director Of Business Development at myTurn.com, pbc
Like you, we recently lost our twp labs. Hope you can treasure the memories of life and family fun… and who knows, now that you know and appreciate how rich life can be with a dog, consider a puppy? We were amazed many years ago when we lost a pair of chocolate labs to cancer…. eventually, we again took the plunge with two litter sisters and I swear, those two new labs had the same personalities of the pair we lost… Not only did we gain great new pups, we got to live life again with our old friends…

Jeanmarie Tenuto
Strategic Marketing Executive
Joe, im sorry about your loss. Tough decisions. Sending prayers and if only i could meet up for dinner, I would be well. JT

Mark C Adams, MBA
Medical Device Leader/Executive
Truly sorry for your loss
Dogs bring us such joy.

Lin Giralt CMC
Business Development, Growth & Profitability Strategist; Director at Lambda, Mirador Trading and TestAnalytika.
Joe, we put Tamanaco to sleep around 10 yrs ago, also mouth cancer, stopped eating, was shriveled down to half his size. We felt bad, but relieved because his suffering was so acute and clear to all. As to humans, I believe that if its good for dogs, why not humans? The difference is the dog cannot tell you that he/she is up for it, while humans can. No creature should be subjected to senseless pain because of an incurable illness that brings zero to low quality of life. God may be neutral, but I don’t think She is malevolent. Best, LIN

Kris Simmons McCulloch
Marketing Communications Manager at TransEnterix, Inc
Joe, I’m sorry for your loss of Brooklyn. We recently had to say goodbye to our beloved 15-yr old lab mix and it was, of course, gut-wrenching. And yet the process of euthanasia by veterinary staff is one of great love and compassion. Why can’t we do that for our fellow humans, when people are clearly facing the end of life? I believe that the medical community needs to do more for the terminally ill, many of whom would like to control this aspect of their lives. Because death is a part of life, and if they wish to “go out in a place of peace and lucidity” before being ravaged by illness or pain or incapacity, we should allow people to die with dignity, on their own terms. There are plenty of medical ethics and checks and balances to ensure that people are not depressed or hastening death without full knowledge and sound mind.

Mia H. Hirschel
Voice Actor Bringing life to your copy – Order to office chaos
So sorry for your loss. Having put several pets down (one for mouth cancer), I’ve often pondered the same question. If it’s ‘humane’ to allow animals relief from suffering, why not humans?

Karen Boyd, ASQ CQA
Owner / Operator at QMS Consulting LLC
My deepest condolences for your loss of Brooklyn. You gave him all the love in the world and did best by releasing him from pain and suffering. Rest assured, our four-legged family members know when it is time and are forever grateful for our compassion.
With respect to humans, I’m uncertain of how I feel about self-induced euthanasia and the law. I’m a lifelong Michigan resident, where the legendary Dr. Death (Kevorkian) tried his hand at changing views of assisted suicide.
I definitely feel that people need to be in the “right” state of mind and certain that pain is unbearable and in no way relievable – basically hospice bound. Otherwise, I feel the risk is that someone may have a really bad day and make a grave error in permanent judgment.

Andrew Kyle
Agritech, Project Management, Medical Devices, Internet of things, Cannabis at Self-Employed Contractor
I believe we each have the right to choose to die. Ending suffering is a gift we have created. As little as 150 years ago, anesthesia did not exist. While each of us has a different perspective, as I have aged, I have come to terms with mortality and just want to make the passage from living to death when I want even if I decide to go to the natural end.
Isn’t that the tradition of personal choice that is freedom – from life too if we need.
I am so very sorry for your dog – we lost ours at 11 too and the pain and love never ends.

Jan Shields LVT, BSN, RNC-NIC
Angele Innovations LLC
I am so sorry for your the loss of your dog. As for human euthanasia, I think people have the right to refuse treatment. If a person has noncurable malignant brain cancer, and the prognosis is months, not years, for example, they should be allowed to decide if they want comfort care or spend the rest of their days in tests, and uncomfortable treatments. Mental illness should be allowed the same rights, as they don’t have the mental ability to make such a decision. There should always be an ethics board of the patients’ hospital presiding over the decision. The diagnosis could be wrong or there could be an issue with the doctor. The doctor is, after all, human. Also, the ethics board needs to deal with babies and children being euthanized. At what point/age is a parent allowed to euthanize? What about a preemie where parents disagree on euthanasia? Also, with Alzheimer patients, who can decide and when? One size doesn’t fit all. As usual, science is ahead of the law.

Kelly Sennholz M.D.
Kelly Z. Sennholz MD @MtnMD at Top Physician on Twitter
I think people should be given the same choice and dignity we give animals.

Michelle Cheatham
Independent Clinical Trainer and Product Specialist Regenerative Medicine
My prayers go out to you, I just made that very painful decision for my sweet Boogie right after Christmas, for the third time as I have always shared my life with Dogs. My other Boston left me in my arms at 16 about 4 years ago and my Cocker many many years ago, she had cancer..it still hurts. As for HUMANS, if we do not own our own lives than what do we really have? NO one should have the right to tell me I cannot control my departure from this world, especially in the case of terminal illness.

Carlos Soares
Managing Director, The Prokür Group. Investor, Entrepreneur.
Hey Joe, sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. Brings back memories when my black lab passed. These are important reminders as they bring that much more perspective back into our lives to treasure the moments we have on this planet.

Bill Vick
PF Warriors – We are the Voice of the Patient
As one who has faced and considered the reality of dying on my own terms it’s an incredibly difficult and complex decision process. I don’t think any two people see it the same way and thanks for raising the issue Joe Hage. It will be interesting for me to see what kind of dialog this generates with this very smart group.

Robyn Barnes
Business & Real Estate Writer, Regulated Industry Business Development, GxP Lifeline Media Professional
Aw, jeez, Joe, I am so sorry about Brooklyn. I’ve been through that 5 times—golden retrievers have a tendency toward cancer—and it is never easy. The loss leaves a hole in your heart and in your family.
I am for euthanasia, as long as the patient is not being pressured into the decision. When there is no good option and only pain is the prognosis, with no chance of a good quality of life, I think the patient should be allowed to choose this. I know someone I loved would have done this rather than go through the indignity and pain of the end of pancreatic cancer.
Prayers for you and your family. I hope another lovely dog enters your life soon.

Michael Shimokaji
Patent Attorney, Trademark Lawyer, Medtech, MedDevice, Life Science at Shimokaji IP
My father passed away last month. He wanted to go the euthanasia route, but could not do so because of his state laws. It was difficult to see him not be able to exercise a choice.

Mace Horoff
I help life science sales teams to sell more & retain business without making costly mistakes. | Leader MDSL Forum Group
Hi Joe. Sorry to hear about the loss of Brooklyn. I’ve often thought about how we can provide a painless departure for the pets we love, yet in most states, terminally ill are forced to suffer. often for long periods of time. The good news is that we seem to be evolving as a society as small pieces of pragmatism slowly enter the mainstream. Your post has played a role in making us think about it. That’s how change happens. Again, I’m sorry for your loss and grateful for your post.

Rick W Hogan
Vice President Sales & Marketing | Enterprise Account Executive | Healthcare | Medical | Consumer | Speaker
I had to put down my female black lab named “Moe” who was 16.5 years old last June due to cancer and age. She went everywhere with me and my daughter in the back of my pick up truck. I held her in my lap as she went to sleep. It was horrible. I had guilt putting my source of unconditional love down. I had one of those ugly cries in the parking lot. I tried to hide my pain and my daughter cried every day for a week missing her “moe moe” . You have my empathy.

Bill Ort
National Account Manager
Sorry to hear about this Joe. The only thing god messed up with dogs is there life span. On this topic, I think every family is different. I hated seeing my mom suffering from cancer, and we had many a heated conversation about this topic. Many prayers were said looking for “answers” . In the end, we get to live each day with hope for the future, as tommorrow is promised to no one. Thoughts and prayers to your family buddy.

Alexander Lynch
Biomedical Development Engineer
Barry, in our Western tradition, rights are societal goods because rights by definition are recognized to be inherently “right”. This is what so perilous about defining euthanasia as a right. Contrary to popular belief, pure individual choice is all but illusory as choices are never made in a vacuum, especially in end of life cases where free choices cannot be made by the patient at all. Considering euthanasia a valid medical treatment that patients have a right to obtain radically changes the calculus in which healthcare priorities are placed and decisions made. For instance, in a “right to euthanasia” world, would public and private reimbursement sources not tend to incentivize euthanasia over perpetual pain management treatments? Again, would the terminally ill patient who might prefer to die of natural causes be financially coerced to euthanize instead?
(cont. below)

Beatus Hofrichter
ConCep+, Founder & Managing Director
Sorry to learn of the death of you beloved pet.
In Switzerland, there exist two organisations that support individuals in such questions: https://www.exit.ch/startseite/ or http://www.dignitas.ch/index.php?lang=en

Mary Ellen Anders, BSN, RN, MBA
Pharmacovigilance Senior Specialist – Literature at ProPharma Group
I am sorry for your loss Joe. Losing a pet is hard. They are our family.

Michael Dellosso
Helping people specify and implement automation solutions
Sorry for your loss Joe. Godspeed!

Richard Jeffery
Managing Director
Hello Joe, like you we have been there with my previous dogs and it is not easy but on to your question, we have just legalised euthanasia for people here in Victoria, Australia. A lot of restrictions and it is not perfect but it is supported and there is a growing thought process that this should be expanded by the community. We look to societies in the Netherlands and Switzerland as well where it has been legal for many years. I think if more people saw how bad some people have to live there last years this should be a choice that everyone has the right to make. The time to say goodbye.

Anthony Zelinko
CEO/Owner Bonte’ Medical Supplies, Inventor, Polymath, Visionary
Sorry to hear that, last night my cat sat on my lap Gracie is 16 and is in decline, doesnt eat much and less and less active. My dog Sasha an old Border Collie has just a few years left. It’s going to be hard when they go.

Suzanne Williams
Co-founder and Clinical Director, Mobius Medical
Euthanasia is regularly being debated in the states and territories of Australia and, only last November, disappointingly failed to succeed in New South Wales.
As reported in the newspapers, one member of our parliament said, “How will such a bill, once passed, impact on how we see value in life?”
Another argued that “euthanasia was comparable to reintroducing the death penalty.”
“One of the main reasons why Australia stopped the barbaric practice of capital punishment is because it is so final,” he said.
“We must consider this bill through a similar lens.”

It absolutely flabbergasts and pains me that people displaying such ignorance play a part in deciding the fate of our terminally ill and suffering.

Beau O’Donohue
CEO and Product Designer Actinnovation Pty Ltd
I feel your, and your family’s, pain. My boy is fifteen and a half, and I threaten him every day that if he even thinks of dying I’ll…………?

Jill C. Schmidt
Advancing Cutting-Edge Medical Solutions
I liked your post & at the same time hated it, Joe. That we are always challenged with surviving the suffering & loss of our loved ones is a real drag, but, as with all trials, it’s also a great, but cement-hard teacher. I’m an “over the top” animal lover, & my heart goes out to the same folks, such as you & your family, who experience these “best furry friend” losses. I’ve been through it & deal with the possiblility of facing this situation, or worse, every day.
In terms of human beings, I believe, even though I have certain spiritual beliefs that would consider interfering with death a sin, I still question consistently if this holds true, since I’ve had 1st hand experience with holding life in my hands. May The Force Be With You & Yours now, & in life beyond right now…

Brian Olshansky
Professor Emeritus of Medicine at University of Iowa
Dictionary definition of suicide: the act or an instance of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally.

Brian Marckx, CFA
Director of Research. Senior Equity Research Analyst – Medical Devices/MedTech/Diagnostics.
Joe – sorry to hear about Brooklyn.

Jack Dhuwalia MS, MBA, ASQ Quality Manager
Cofounder, Principal Consultant – at JD Consulting
Please accept my condolences. It must be like losing a child – that’s what I’ve been told. Regarding Euthanasia, in most of the world religion seems to dominate the issue. I was born a Hindu and cremation is widely accepted. For living, I am for euthanasia as long the suffering party wants it, not the relatives who may have other motives.

Laura Nobles
Healthcare marketing and PR expert/Agency Owner
Joe, I’m so sorry. I lost my first dog a few years ago and it was devastating. We also put him down as he couldn’t walk and was very clearly in pain. Your question is very thought provoking. I need to ponder it.

Efrem Cray
Manager, R&D Process and Training at Confidential
Joe, I commiserate with your loss after having my own 14-year old support dog put to sleep 14 months ago. I was so grateful to have a vet come to the house for the procedure as I thought it would be the least traumatic for my dog and my family. In that way, I identified with your story about Joan. While I have taken some radical approaches to surgical interventions in order to extend my own life; and feel so energetic and driven in spite of my age; your post made me wonder about companies exploring the medical device market in response to the legitimacy and legality of assisted euthanasia for humans. I would like to know what others think about this…it’s plausible that in the near-future there may be a market for medical devices to help with end-of-life procedures. It’s a tough concept for those of us in the industry motivated to help patients get better. Anyway Joe, I’ll see you Monday at the SF get-together and we can chat more.

Claudia Gilman
International Legal Consultant
So sorry to hear about your loss, Joe. You’ve written elegant testimonies to Brooklyn and to Joan. May they rest in peace.

Joris Jaspers
Head of Innovation and Associate professor, Medical Technology at UMC Utrecht
Dear Joe, I’m sorry for your lost.
In the Netherlands euthanasia is legal, if suffering is unbearable. But there is always the debate in parliament and society on what is unbearable suffering, is it only physical or also mental suffering? Who is to decide and who may help? This line is thin and each year there are some law suits about this issue.

Jill C. Schmidt
Advancing Cutting-Edge Medical Solutions
Hey Joe, I go through this on a consistent basis daily, so I feel deeply for you & your family’s pain.
Regarding humans, my spirituality interferes, & it ends with a struggle between those beliefs, & a different take of relieving pain & suffering for all involved. I think it may be a control issue… May The Force Be With You & Yours…

Sam Klaidman
Helping B2B companies grow service revenue as much as 33% per year by delivering your customer’s desired outcomes
Joe, sorry about Brooklyn. As for the broader question, I think it makes sense if the patient fully understands what is happening, what is likely to happen, and how it will impact them. And picking the time and place might even reduce some of the stress of the survivors.

Alexander Lynch
Biomedical Development Engineer
If I can offer my unoriginally clichéd stance: human euthanasia should be forever forbidden from civilized society if we wish to preserve the dignity of our humanity. This argument could be defended starting from manifold bases, but thinking this through from the ethical medicine perspective, it does not take long to becomes apparent that the most effective and cost efficient way to “relieve pain” is to simply kill the patient.

This may at first sound absurd, but this is how euthanasia as a policy is progressing as we speak. If for certain illnesses we simply end people’s lives considering euthanasia as a societal good, then what sense does it make to pursue cures to those illnesses anymore?

Pain will always be essential to the human experience and the greatest achievements of humanity have been borne through it. Given our mortality and that complete and instant cures are fleetingly rare, our job in medicine is to make the journey bearable to a natural end.

Bill Greenblatt
Vice President Business Development at Quest International Inc.
Joe – Having had the sad situation of putting several dogs to sleep over the years, I can only say I feel for you and your family. Dogs give so much and ask for so little in return. Will keep my thoughts about euthanasia to myself, but wanted you to know I know how hard it is to put a family member to rest.

Scott Kantro, DPM
CEO Arche Healthcare
So sorry to hear this news:(
Hoping all well with you and your family..
Best,
Scott

Emily Stephens
Chief Executive Officer at Global Medical Writing & Translation
My heart breaks for you and your family, Joe. I lost my soul mate and best friend a little over a year ago and not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. When the timing is right, find a rescue or a puppy and take the plunge again. New happiness awaits that can ease the burden. My experience is different than some of the others here, as the loss of my dog was equal to that of a loss of a loved human being, such as my mother. To me there was no difference and the impact was equally heavy and life altering–that’s just the way some of us love. I’m a proponent for Death with Dignity and am glad to live in WA state. In my mind, it is merciful and we are all deserving of such mercy. If I were in the same situation as Joan. I would want the right to choose that for myself. Thanks for sharing.

Lynne Brown, RN
Clinical Account Specialist
So sorry . What pain.

Carri Levy
TV Producer , Behind the Mystery: Rare and Genetic Series,Rare Disease Advocate, Wandering through the Undiagnosed World
When my step mom died last year , my Dad immediately become unwell. He told me to take him to Hospice and to put him to sleep. I did as he requested. Every time he awoke he yelled at me . “Why am I still here?” I think you did an incredible kindness to your beloved Brooklyn. And I 100% believe in moving on if you are done.

Alexander Lynch
Biomedical Development Engineer
(cont. response to Barry).
You ask what value is there for terminally ill patients suffering to their end. Not even to mention the widely held religio-cultural belief of the personal value to the patient bearing their own suffering into what comes next after death, it is also of great value in this life to all those surrounding them as a model example of courage and inspiration. We as a society collectively have everything to lose if we demean the honor and dignity inherent to suffering to natural death.

I presented my viewpoint to medicine’s purpose (“making the journey bearable to a natural end”) as a corrective to the arrogance sometimes present in our field that we can cheat nature or even cure death (e.g. “prolong life as long as possible”). Taking this more humble approach respecting mortality allows us to not be coercive in over-extending by artificial means somebody’s life and unnecessary suffering if typically natural death is otherwise imminent.

Sal Aidone
President/Owner at Deccaid Services Inc
Sorry, the King Charles is one of the cutest dogs. Part of the family..

Eva W.
Consultant Business Development
So sorry what you have to go through, such a cute dog! Best wishes and ❤️ for you and your family.

Jeffrey Feldman
Member of the RHFAC Team and Chair of the Board of Directors at the Garry Point Co-op
My sincere condolences to you and your family for your loss, may Brooklyn live in your heart and mind forever.

Janine Del Vecchio
Associate Director Data Management at Insmed Incorporated
I’ve also thought about this discrepancy myself.

Silvia Taylor
Experienced Manufacturing Operations Mgr
My condolences. Losing a loved pet is very hard.

Brian T. Kenney
Vice President Sales/Marketing at Trimedyne; Holmium Lasers for Spinal Surgery
This is a VERY sensitive subject. I recently witnessed the death of a close relative. Once a decision is made to let the patient pass, catholic hospitals limit increased levels of morphine and other “aggressive” drugs designed to facilitate death and let nature take over. I asked how long will this take? “4-12 days” was the answer. Can you imagine this process taking 12 days . With advances in healthcare being what they are…is this really the best we can do?

Michael Adamovich
Results-Focused Business Growth Strategist
It is the high cost of certain health care conditions at the end of life that drives the opportunity of new medical ventures to lower those costs – – or illuminate the need for them entirely, because a particular health condition is actually cured or prevented.When we euthanize humans, we let death solve our problems as a society, instead of innovation – – and we aluminate the business opportunity to drive innovation, as a result.

Cindy Lee
Seasoned Human Resources
Sorry for your loss.

Tom Loker
Nurturing Entrepreneurs from Cradle to Greatness
I think we are at a dangerous place, where we have let our in instinct for survival outweigh good sense. We have developed a culture where many have been inculcated into a belief that survival at any cost, for ourselves or for the sake of a loved one, is the expected standard.

The cost to the individual, in the last stages of life, are huge, both emotional, physical and economical. The cost to society and us as a species are much larger.

We have effectively removed much of our species from natural selection, while at the same time we have caused those species that prey upon us to become hyper-selected due to our biochemical methods of competing for survival. They, mostly microbes, have evolved to be much stronger and much more rapidly adaptable, while we have become weaker as a species and more dependant on artificial means to survive.

I am not advocating a specific solution. I am advocating a dialogue.

Great article Joe!

Silvia Fuster Bartomeu
Regulatory Affairs Pharmacist
It is hard but necessar

Michael Lubov
Independent Plastics Professional
Joe: My condolences. I know from experience that loosing a pet can be incredibly painful. My best wishes. The pain will pass but the memories will remain.

Boni Estrada
Sr. Production Supervisor at Avantec Vascular Corporation
Joe, feeling sorry about your loss and it is true our pets are considered to be part of our family and we are so attached with love and caring for them and they also show these traits in return. I would consider or do the same decision of what you did to your pet because of the pain and suffering you have witnessed that she had gone through but i won’t consider to do euthanasia to human being because of religious aspect because their is always a cut off for every pain and suffering and that only comes when our Creator ends our life and not someone or our self has to end it.

John Cuevas
Owner at Rocky Point Tarot & Themaninblacktarot.com I love Sales & Public speaking/communications / Translation services
Here in Mexico we have a very big push ahead of us to try and get euthanasia through the 80% Catholic community and get them to be a little more open-minded if you will and I like a friend said you know it’s one of those things that here in Mexico they don’t even think about or even look at!

Bogdan Baudis
Prinicipal Software Engineer at Cambridge Consultants
Joe, all my sympathy for you. We lost our first cat in US to a car (or bike). The second got cancer and when she started to suffer we decided to euthanize her. Three years later we have a crazy demolition crew of two young cats bringing us everyday joy. But we still carry around the memories of Grace or Tayga. Grace passed away most likely too fast for her to get even scared but we made the decision for Tayga, the alternative would be to let her suffer for days. Humans can make the decision for themselves, but only when they are still capable of doing it so I do not think that we should interfere with such decisions.

Tony Russell
Founder & Managing Director at CPR International, Inc.
So sorry for your loss. We have lost 3 Cavalier King Charles. They are amazing, loyal, loving companions.

Lesa Conemac
Supervisor, Office Services Product Analysis and Reliability Lab
You will meet again at the Rainbow Bridge. I am sorry for your loss.

Emmet Ryder
Vice President Of Business Development at Inertia Aviation LLC
Wouldn’t this be better off posted on Facebook?

Ed Fine
President at Carpe DM Consulting
Joe-My sincere and heartfelt sympathies on the loss of Brooklyn, also my hometown. I lost my dog, Angel, many years ago after she had a seizure at 16. I picked her up and she died on my lap. I comforted her through the last few minutes of her life and it still hurts to think about her loss. My son recently had to euthanize one of his dogs who was living in pain and it hurt him deeply though we all knew it was best for the dog. Whether it is a pet or a human, no one should be forced to live with pain that is intolerable to them. Those that care for such individuals, or pets, feel that pain almost as deeply as their loved ones. It is cruel to force such pain on anyone. I only hope if I reach that point in my life, I will have the courage, and my loved ones will have the courage, to help me end it.

Erick Fuentes
In Search of New Employment Opportunities
I’m sorry aboyt Brookling Joe, I also had to put my beloved Heidi down after she suffered a grandmal seizure last Jan 30th.
As humans we relate to the suffering of our beloved animals, I believe that medical technology today prolongs unnecessary suffering because none of us is getting out of here alive. Having a choice to end our suffering should be a viable alternative to all. Exorbitant medical costs for the prolongation of life without quality of life should also be curtailed.

Glenda Guest
President, Assured of Quality Consulting & Training
It is always one of the most difficult decisions to make Joe. I have to decide every day now whether this is “the day” or not for my 18 year old Chihuahua/Dachshund. It is based upon observations of her behavior regarding pain, immobility versus energy, joy and interest. The first are becoming more frequent and the latter less so. With people I think it is different, as you say we can make a choice that our pet cannot. To me that makes the difference. Self-inflicted euthanasia or “assisted suicide” seems more acceptable for that reason. I believe we often prolong life because we can and we are trained from an early age that choosing to end our life is not desirable. One of my pet phrases comes into play here. Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should. When it comes to prolonging life, I believe the individual suffering is the only one who can determine whether continuing to live because we can keep them living is something they “should” do. Interesting replies from others.

Dave Gaisser
Quality and Regulatory Consultant, Geyser Medical Consulting
I do not support euthanasia as an expedient for any condition. However, I think limits are needed on efforts to extend life. As cancer struck family and friends over recent years, I felt those receiving hospice care passed in a much better environment, so I became a hospice volunteer.

Observing my patients, I do not consider death within hospice “euthanasia”, but rather the natural conclusion of their terminal condition. Yes, many patients receive morphine for pain, but not all. And yes, if drugs are used to excess, the body can shut down, but I have seen these same shutdown processes without pain meds. With hospice, the intent is pain relief, not system shutdown – death occurs naturally. However, outside the hospice system, who can say? How one controls these things is beyond my pay grade.

Relief of pain is paramount. Artificial means of supporting life with no prognosis for recovery provides no patient benefit. Let me pass in comfort, but do not hasten my end with euthanasia.

Támer Flores, MBA – BSEE
EMPRESARIO CEO Y CONSULTOR INTERNACIONAL |Ventas y Marketing |Estrategia |Dispositivos Médicos |Networks |Latino América
This situations mark us. I still remember complying a DNR order for and ICD (turning it off) in a lucid but very sick patient, because my colleague who knew him was very busy at that moment. The patient even asked his family to ask me if this procedure wouldn’t affect his life insurance on a “suicide” type situation, because of the contract. I didn’t know the answer.
However, after 15 years I still remember that man, 100% on the use of his brain, but his body gave up.
The next morning, my colleague sent me a voice mail indicating me that the patient had died surrounded by his family, and he got there in time to say good bye. It was so sad, and I just met him a few minutes.
I wouldn’t have the right answer for euthanasia though, but I’m inclined to say that maybe people that is 100% lucid have a right to choose.

Mark Gordon Cooper
CEO at Hemp America Value Exchange
Now of you know my work in stopping anaerobic glycolysis disease but it is same for dogs. I had my eldest Yorkie, my dog Vet, told to use my medicine, for his developing infection into mouth cancer. I used one 1 ml dropper, massaged on his upper and lower gums, each day. The Mouth Disease is solved, in two weeks. Also, for those of you that need a Prepared Formula, go to www.polymva.com and get the Pet version. My formula is specific for Mouth Disease in dogs, Poly MVA is for overall Cell Respiration issues. I treat my own dogs and non have Mouth Smell or infections or potential mouth disease. I welcome those who need the recipe, write me, I will tell you how to make it.

Jane Evans
Therapy supported exercise for all members of the community
Joe, so sorry to hear about your dog. In recent years I’ve worked with both horses and dogs and have been amazed at how often experiences with animals has brought me to clear realisation of human situations. Whether it’s training puppies or children or saying goodbye to a long and trusted friend there are many parallels. Unfortunately there is no way out for people in Ireland no matter how miserable and desperate to die they are. A member of the public can use a defibrillator to shock an individual back to life. A life of full dependency, no voluntary movement, pain and incontinence, locked in to a body that doesn’t work. You can’t hear these people ask for help.

Jane Evans
Therapy supported exercise for all members of the community
Joe, so sorry to hear about your dog. In recent years I’ve worked with both horses and dogs and have been amazed at how often experiences with animals has brought me to clear realisation of human situations. Whether it’s training puppies or children or saying goodbye to a long and trusted friend, canine and human, there are many parallels. Unfortunately there is no way out for people in Ireland no matter how miserable and desperate to die they are. A member of the public can use a defibrillator to shock an individual back to life. A life of full dependency, no voluntary movement, pain and incontinence, locked in to a body that doesn’t work. You can’t hear these people ask for help. Is that a life?

Cathy Unruh
President and CEO at Medical Synergy and Innovation, Inc.
Joe, sorry about the loss of Brooklyn. Dogs find a way into our hearts and never let go. I am not sure I am for euthanasia as you stated but I know after watching my father pass away slowly (first from AML then c diff and finally MRSA infection/sepsis), I know there needs to be a better way to die with dignity and to minimize the pain as one approaches death.

Dave Gaisser
Quality and Regulatory Consultant, Geyser Medical Consulting
I am sorry for your loss, Joe. We lost our 12 year old beagle (my first pet also) to esophageal cancer several years ago. Unfortunately, by the time we found the tumor, there was little my wife and I could do we could do for Penny but comfort her for a final few days before her euthanasia. My condolences to you and your family.

Mary Jo Griffin
Global Marketing Leader
I’m sorry about your loss my pets are family and it hurts.

Fernando Martinez, RRT
Sales Manager for Latin America at Vyaire Medical / Airway Management and Operative Care product lines
Hi Joe, I’m sorry about your dog as well. As it refers to euthanasia in humans, it’s a totally different ball game. Humans are not dogs, they never have been and they never will be. Humans are humans. Life and death is a “God” thing. I watched my father die over a 17 day period from Alzheimer’s. We made him as comfortable as we could and we did not go crazy trying to extend his life by artificial means, but we also did not kill him. We allowed the process to be as God wanted it to be. I also firmly believe in protecting the unborn who really have no voice. Without going to long, that is my take on this.

Max Bardwell
Strategic Partnership Manager Life Sciences, Food and Drink at Nottingham Trent University
Alexander your text speaks to some very lofty ideals but takes no account of patient choice.

Cyril Teissonnier
Consultant
I Think eutheunasia is a very difficult solution but when the futur is only horrible and morphine can’t stop sorrow … it ‘s the last Way…

Barry C. Leybovich
Product Manager, Tech Evangelist, Open to Discussions
Alexander (Part 2, due to character limits).

2. (cont) In fact, euthanasia is viewed as an option in instances where medicine cannot make the journey bearable – in terminal cases where no amounts of painkillers can remove the pain whilst keeping the patient conscious.

3. Pain may be considered an important human experience for ‘character-building’ or for whichever reason you are asserting. However, what is the purpose of this pain for a terminal case? What value is it to you or society that someone who is in their death throes is in pain? What “great achievements” are you expecting to come from it?

Sam Baker
Director-Global Development at SR Instruments,Inc.
Joe – – I think comparing the death of a beloved pet to that of a human being is to seriously deprecate the value of human life. I have shed some tears at the loss of a dog , so I know the feeling . To make the comparison with a loved one is to me unimaginable .
Sadly the mentality you express is what often goes with abortion for it’s own sake ,or because the baby may have down syndrome or some other disability. How far away is a society from the taking of a life just because some one reaches an age where they are a “bother” to care for. I am fearful that society is rapidly heading in that direction . When society cares far more about “protecting” wild life than helping the thousands dying from preventable diseases around the world it is a shameful commentary .
Your description of the person being euthanized was eerily similar to a description of an execution.

Barry C. Leybovich
Product Manager, Tech Evangelist, Open to Discussions
Alexander, I disagree on several fronts.

1. Euthanasia in modern society is by no means progressing towards ending someone else’s life, it is moving only to allowing people to make that decision for themselves. It is not viewed as a societal good, but rather an individual right – one that is designed to give individuals choices so they can preserve their dignity how they choose.

2. I believe modern medicine by no means makes “the journey bearable to a natural end” as you assert, but very much about extending life at whatever cost. Very few people would consider artificial respirators or heart transplants ‘natural’. Instead, aggressive surgeries and experimental treatments are pushed towards patients to gain weeks or even days or hours of life – the quality of which is often not considered.

Vincent Brenckmann
Directeur Général / General Manager
Hi Joe,

Thanks for your post and sincerely sorry for you and your family about your cute Cavalier King. Since we always had cats and dogs at home, I can feel in full sympathy with your story, your decision and your thoughts. Each and every time we had to make similar decisions about our pets, the same type of questions haunted us, first of all regarding the dog or cat which just reached his “reasonnable” age for leaving, but also it referred us to our own parents. Too early (but is there a right moment?) we had to face parents diseases, leading them to a more or less long interim period between decent life and horrible wait until death came.
In France wher I live, euthansasia is allowed for animals but not for humans. In some places, it’s even not an option to ask for not being treated! At the end of his long lasting cancer, I can remember my father asking me to help him to go, but I could not help him… It looks odd, but I believe our animals have a chance our relatives do not have.

Bruce Ross
President
Joe… we have gone through the Dog and Cat routine, to many times… we feel for your loss… I have passwords based in their names and ages at death to remind me how much we depended on them for reflection and friendship. In many areas of healthcare in America we treat people worse than we treat our pets… you did the right things with Brooklyn, we do not do the right things with our parents and others in their death spiral… extending life… no… extending death!

D. Ronald Yagoda
Executive Chairman CyMedica Orthopedics
Sorry about Brooklyn. Joe, I’ve got two Ruby Cavs Teddy (10), and Bruno (8) – half brothers and my Blenheim, Maggie made it to 13. It’s like losing a child My prayers are with you

Allison E. Adema
Allison E. Adema 2nd degree connection2nd
Case Manager at Menifee Valley Medical Center
One of the most painful, but courageous decisions to make if you have beloved pets.

Maureen Carroll
Principal at Creature, LLC
I recently lived through a family member’s journey to her end after a long battle with cancer. As hospice works to control pain, the doses of morphine/Delaudid keep increasing in an effort to reduce pain. At some point the morphine levels become so high that the patient can no longer talk or gesture, and the systems begin shutting down, and death comes.

Looking back, I question how much these deaths are “natural” anyway, and how “comfortable” the patient actually is through the weeks that this process takes. Perhaps the patient’s systems are shutting down BECAUSE the levels of morphine are so high. I think we may be fooling ourselves, that in actuality this hospice process is often a form of assisted death, one that is more subtle and that our society finds acceptable.

John Trumbull ♛ L.I.O.N.
Business Coach and Fractional Sales Manager
The loss of a dog is especially difficult, as they know only one thing: how to give love, unconditionally. While people disappoint us, a dog’s love is eternal, unwavering, permanent. Some believe that we are reunited with our pets, in the afterlife. What a happy reunion that will be!

As for euthanasia, it is a complex problem to solve. I believe that, in Native American tribes, when an elder decides that they have become a burden to the tribe, they simply wander off, to die in the wilderness.

Our species’ obsession with clinging to life is understandable, but, at some point, when it’s time to go, it would be nice to choose that … instead of waiting and suffering the indiginities of a failing body.

On a lighter note: I used to sell research equipment to pathologists, and one day, I received a “lead” from Dr. Jack Kevorkian. He was in prison in Michigan, and was apparently keeping up with the literature of his profession .

(continued)

Matthias Bürger
Vice President Global Regulatory Affairs at Zimmer Biomet
Joe,
Sorry about Brooklyn. Our family dog is dying right now. Major organ failure. She might have a few days left or even a couple of weeks, but we have decided that once she can not stand on her own any more (we already need to carry her outside) or would be in strong pain, we would let the vet help her too. A vet once told me that he was glad he had the right to end suffering for his patients, unlike his collegues (in most places at least). I would agree. I saw my dad pass away 14 months ago and fortunately he did not suffer great pain, although his disease was slowly eating him away. He died in his sleep.
This is an incredible difficult topic, as you say so many aspects influence how we think about it. I do firmly believe though that patients should have the right to decide over their own life.

Cheri Pearson
Chemist at Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, State of Delaware
So sorry to read of your dog and your family’s loss. Dogs are such a perfect animal with only one imperfection, they don’t live long enough. My father suffered from Lewy Body Dementia. For his last year of life, 6 months of that time in a bed. When he was lucid, we would talk about going for a swim in the ocean and allow him to keep swimming to heaven’s gate. Many others I have spoken with about these debilitating diseases have watched their loved ones suffer much longer. Can only hope science will help provide solutions and cures but until then taking matters into our own hands just seems “better”. Peace be with you at this time.

John Trumbull ♛ L.I.O.N.
Business Coach and Fractional Sales Manager
The loss of a dog is especially difficult, as they know only one thing: how to give love, unconditionally. While people disappoint us, a dog’s love is eternal, unwavering, permanent. Some believe that we are reunited with our pets, in the afterlife. What a happy reunion that will be!

As for euthanasia, it is a complex problem to solve. I believe that, in Native American tribes, when an elder decides that they have become a burden to the tribe, they simply wander off, to die in the wilderness.

Our species’ obsession with clinging to life is understandable, but, at some point, when it’s time to go, it would be nice to choose that … instead of waiting and suffering the indiginities of a failing body.

On a lighter note: I used to sell research equipment to pathologists, and one day, I received a “lead” from Dr. Jack Kevorkian. He was in prison in Michigan, and was apparently keeping up with the literature of his profession.

During a conference call with my colleagues, I asked whether I should make a once-in-a-lifetime “sales call” at that prison … to meet a famous, or infamous, historical figure.

One colleague said: “Yes, you should go and meet with him. But … just don’t go on a day when you are real sad.”

Xuan Kong
VP Research at NEUROMetrix Inc
Sorry to hear your losses, Joe. It is hard to see loved ones suffering and it is even harder to see them go.

Bob Gilchrist
Sr Consultant
Sorry to hear of your loss. Bob

Traci Evling
Owner, JTE Machines
Thanks for sharing Joe, and so sorry for the loss of Brooklyn, whom I’m sure was a very loved and an important part of your family. I feel so strongly about allowing our elders and hopefully ourselves one day to live our lives in dignity to the very end. I believe there is nothing more powerful and peaceful, than to have control of how you live your life, which should absolutely include how you wish to leave this earth. It should really be left up to the individual (assuming they are of sane mind and capacity) to make the decision…especially when faced with future suffering or terminal illness or anything that THEY feel will lower their quality of life below what is acceptable to them as an individual. As much as we as a society are concerned with the wishes of how those that are gone want to be treated, we should also be concerned and respect their wish for how and when they want to leave.

JP Nicolais
Business Intermediary: Gottesman Company
Thanks for sharing. Why do we feel so differently about humans and pets? Intellectually I see that suffering is suffering but emotionally I see my own mortality in approving euthanasia or participating in euthanasia.

Begoña Castrillo
Business Development – Import & Export

Dear Joe,

Really sorry for the lost of your beloved Brooklyn. I faced the same situation 2 years ago.
I took that hard decision that is euthanize my pet, even she was 17 years old and had a queen´s life after I rescued her with 8.
I spent many nights thinking and crying. I am doing the right thing? I am doing it for me or for her? Is a question of money? What I would like if I were in the same situation?
There was no light only suffering on the way so I did it. I called the vet, came to my home and my dog died in my arms surrounded by love.
Don´t know if I did the right thing but for sure I did what I thought it was the best for her and did it with so much love that I am sure God will forgive me.

Best,
Begoña

Dr Sucharita Das
Head Of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance APAC at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
Dear Joe indeed sorry to hear about your dog. You did the right thing although it is a very painful experience. We have a mini toy poodle and she is the joy of our life. Take care and God bless.

Rashel Buffat
Experienced Medical/Technical Sales Professional
Joe, I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. I think many people are surprised at how much it affects them. The love and loss we feel is what gives us our humanity. As for euthanasia in humans, I think it is a deeply personal issue, one we cannot make for others. We should all do our best to respect others’ views on it, but realize that we all have a different perspective on its morality. We should not judge each other or endorse restrictive legislation around issues that are so personal. One never knows when it may affect you and if you will respond as you had expected you would.

Linda Mende
RECRUITER: Medical & Pharma Sales & Sales
So sorry for your loss. It is a hard decision but one that you felt you had to make. We did the same thing for our dog Stewart when we found a tumor in his throat that we removed …but then grew back in 6 months and restricted his eating & breathing. Grateful he no longer suffered. I think if someone is suffering and there is no potential for a positive outcome it is their choice. A Living Will gives us a voice in time of need also.

Tricia LaBarre
Developing and continuously strengthening network of business relationships strategies
The beauty of it all is that we have “free will.” Free will is an expansive virtue and unlike our family pets, humans have a higher capacity of higher thinking. The only thing that the beloved animal knows is pain. Pain is a different sense entirely and typically doesn’t go along with thought processes. The only known is pain and it’s severity. In those dying from terminal illness, pain is much more the known and the outcome is demise.
I don’t believe that the controversial nature of euthanasia is going to stop pharmaceutical or medical research companies to pause looking for a cure. If there was a cure, there would be no need to euthanize from the outset.
The body has a mechanistic flight or fight system that works to live, not die. When the body has become riddled with terminal disease, the imbalance of the two systems can not compensate, thus pain is the result
Hospice and palliative ideals are to keep the ailing from experiencing despair with pain. In fact, I believe pain is the underlying cause of death because the body can not compensate. Therefore, drugs like Morphine are given in high doses to control pain. Medications of this nature takes away lucidity, depresses the respiratory system and death prevails. Why does society find it necessary to administer the lethal dose over a span of time versus a single bolus? It’s really a matter of justification or control, more so than the end to eternal vindication of undue suffering. The results are the same, time is the variable.

BERNA TOKAD
REMAX ARMONİ şirketinde Luxury Home Real Estate Agent
Iam very sorry because of your lost

Cynthia Kessler
Consultant in Medical Laboratory Sciences
Sorry about your dog, I’ve had that experience many times. I’ve also been there when my father was removed from life support, and remember my sister being taken off a respirator. Should someone be able to make their OWN choice? Yes, because many folks know what’s coming . . .

Sami Hernandez
Quality Management Systems Consultant
Joe, I’m sorry. It takes a great deal of courage to make that heard decision for your beloved pet but it’s an act of great compassion. I always wondered why society felt that euthanasia for our pets was an act of compassion but euthanasia for granny is murder. I think the roots of that come from religious beliefs that suicide is forbidden. I believe it should be a choice for anyone suffering.

Jeannie Di Pietro
Eastern Regional Sales Manager, Noris Medical
I believe hospitals do it now. My Mother had sepsis after a surgery very painful going through the body. And was not going to make it. I think it is done with Morphine. She was gone quickly. It was a horrible experience with your loved one. But you do not want them in pain .

Agnieszka Bak
MD at Native Nanny Agency
So sorry, very difficult decision. I had to go through this as well as a 16 year old without parents help as they were away with my childhood dog. Really though. In regards to the second topic, totally agree, everyone should have a choice.

Andrew K. Palmer, MD
Orthopedic Hand Surgeon and Medical Device Consultant

Joe,
I am sorry for the loss of your dog. I believe you did the right thing. Re the loss of Joan, you piece reads as if she was not a close loved one to you. Had she been, and had she been suffering terribly and decided on her own to leave this world to go home to her Abba Father, I think this is her right. For that reason, I think it is important for those of us who live in a state where human euthanasia is legal, to consider, before something catastrophic happens to us such as becoming a respiratory dependent quad, what we would want done as far as sustaining our lives.

Al Buscaino
Co-owner and EVP at INDIVO, Inc., helping connect companies with customers
Joe, also sorry for your loss. I’ve had the opportunity to be involved with the medical community for almost 40-years. Over my career I have certainly seen remarkable changes in technology to diagnose, treat, improve the quality of, and support life. When it comes to prolonging life, on more than one occasion I have seen professionals (and my own family) deal with the, “just because we can, does it mean we should?” dilemma. We have medical ethics and palliative care groups, along with advanced directives to help medical professionals and families deal with these issues. It still does not make the decision any easier. I support having the choice to direct ones own care, and/or to have a designated representative do so. My beliefs don’t support active measures (i.e., assisted suicide), but I do support palliative care. I also do not pretend that I have the right to make that decision for anyone else. For me, palliative care achieves the same result, just takes a different path. Peace.

Melanie Blank
Seeking New Technical Documentation Opportunities
Sorry for your loss, Joe. Aren’t you really talking about assisted suicide? Not the same as euthanasia.

Judy Woodley
Account Consultant at Avanos Medical (formerly Halyard Health) – Respiratory Health Division
So sorry for the loss of your beloved dog. I have a cavalier king Charles spaniel who is 10 years old. I cherish him & will hug Mr Big extra tight in memory of yoir Brooklyn.
I’ve had to euthanize (2) of my very old & beloved cats & one middle aged beloved dog. It’s the worst day in the life of a pet owner. Nevertheless, I also feel that I owe it to my beloved pets after and ONLY after all avenues of cures & palliative treatment have been exhausted. They don’t understand why they are failing, so that’s when we as owners must make that gut wrenching decision for them.
God bless!

Alex Holland
Senior Manager Biomedical Engineering at Edwards Life Sciences
My foundation is moral, which implies that any illegality anywhere would be immoral and unjust. In a land of the “free”, one should have the right to make a deeply personal and peaceable life decision that creates no danger or violence to anyone else. I also believe it moral for medical professionals to provide any desperately desired help that avoids potentially horrendous personal suffering. I fully understand the personal qualms and legal clarity that should go along with supporting this, but such professionals in these cases deserve praise and respect, and not any personal or professional repercussion, and certainly not prison.

Gaynor J.
Cardiology Technical Professional CCDS, RDCS
I am so very sorry to hear about your lovely dog. Best wishes to you

Jãna Fernelius
Document and Configuration Management I Change Control I Process Improvement and Implementation Professional
My condolences to you and your family. You made the right decision, you know you made the right decision.
If we could only be as humane to all of our loved ones. Both the ability to do this and medical cannabis could be a great help and relief to many of our loved ones.

Jevetta Stanford, Ed.D.
Clinical Project Manager at Medtronic
My perspective takes a religous slant. I beleive that God does not make any mistakes and that we, as humans, should not make the decisioon to end life.

Linda M. Storrer
Exhibit Project Leader
My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family for the loss of your furry family member, Brooklyn. Kudos for having the courage to make the difficult unselfish decision to ensure her quality of life all the way to the very end.

A Living Will gives us some say, but is it enough? I believe euthanasia is a very personal decision, one that requires a deep evaluation of one’s values, including moral, legal, and religious elements of consideration. I suggest you read Atul Gawande’s book “Being Mortal. Medicine and What Matters in the End”, if you haven’t already. Gawande’s book will have you thinking more about the abilities of modern medicine and people’s wishes. As he states, “we haven’t been asking, but we can learn”. It will, or at least it should, spark consideration and conversation on freedom of choice, aging, serious injury or illness, and death.

Cindy Lee
Seasoned Human Resources
I’m sorry for your lost. Time does heal but you will never forget dog. He will always be apart of the family

Bridget Desroches, M.S., RAC
Regulatory Affairs Specialist at Nova Biomedical
As a professional dog trainer (in addition to my life in med devices) as well as a fellow CKCS owner, I understand more than I can ever convey, and my heart breaks for you. It is always so, so hard to take that journey, and many don’t understand because “it is just a dog”. Cavs are particularly hard as they are such people dogs.
Regarding assisted suicide, I feel very strongly that it should be legal everywhere and accessible to more than those with terminal disease. My father asserted for decades that he did not want to die in a slow prolonged existence. In his 80’s he went blind from macular degeneration, and later suffered a stoke significantly impairing his mobility. He lived on to 86, but was deeply unhappy for the last 4 years of his life, nothing his large family could do to alleviate.
We treat animals than people in this regards. Our loved ones deserve the same compassionate choice.
Frontline PBS did a beautiful piece “The Suicide Tourist”. Worth watching.

Les Hyatt
President, Nutmeg Precision Sales, LLC
Joe, Good Day! Sorry for your loss. I don’t normally make comments about issues, however, I will today. When I was a little boy my grandmother had a stroke per year for 10 years and ended up living in a plastic bag. I remember asking my Mom about using euthanasia for my grandmother as we did for our beloved pets. From then till now, I wish we had accepted national policy.

Heather Deveaux
Freelance Writer | Owner The Freelance Writing School | Certified Business Coach | Podcast Host | Blogger
I’m sorry to hear about your beloved pet. When I was 18 I won an essay contest about mercy killing, abortion, and assisted suicide. That was 18 years ago, long before this was a trending topic on the internet. My essay won out over the other entrants because I argued for both sides of the story: it’s a very personal choice, and I think that logic still applies today. The reason it is a sensitive topic, I think, is because some people yell louder than others about what they think SHOULD happen, rather than respect the wishes of those actually involved in making those decisions, and people don’t want to get into a screaming match. So we avoid talking about something that we could all be faced with choosing some day. Humans have a great capacity to apply judgement of how other humans should live, but we rarely stop to think what we would actually do if we were faced with having to make that decision.

Sonia Aviles, MBA, CBIP, PMP
Senior Project Manager & Acquisition Integration Leader
Joe, thank you for sharing your story and for bringing up the topic of euthanasia. I have strong feelings about euthanasia because I’ve seen a parent suffer a great deal. When it’s near my end of life, I want to be able to make that decision. I also want to be able to write an Advance Directive with explicit instructions as to what constitutes an acceptable quality of life for myself. When that minimum quality is no longer there, I want out. And if I am not able to make that decision for myself due to Alzheimer’s (as my father now has) I want to be able to leave instructions that others will follow in my name. Life is meant to be beautiful, celebrated, and enjoyed fully. I do everything in my power to avoid Alzheimer’s (e.g., plant-based diet, daily exercise for body and mind, etc.) but if I lose that battle I DON’T want my children to bear a useless burden and struggle to care for me. As you see, I have strong feelings about euthanasia. Thanks. SA

Ilana Shafransky
IS-med
my condolences…

I believe that people have the right to choose, but it’s wrong to leave for yourself.

Harry Hasebe
Director at Mitsubishi Chemical America
Joe, I am so sorry for your loss.
I have been a veterinarian and I did perfromed many euthanasia, which I hated but I did for my duty. I also lost my beloved dog like your Brooklyn with Cancer inside nose, I used even Japanese Herbs which extened some of her life, but I knew we were losing battle against Cancer. We could not watch her suffer any longer.
We have been working for improving lives but to the end we need to accept the fate and keep their dignitiy…….

Tim McCarthy
Senior Clinical Consultant at Winnow Diagnostics
So sorry as it is so hard to let go. As for the human condition… My mother was losing rapidly to stage 4 NSCLC after her therapy wasn’t able to keep it down any longer. So she didn’t suffer through all the pain the only legal option for our family to keep her in a morphine induced coma while her body withered. My sister bore the vigil for weeks as her employer matched her saintly stance with its patience to support her. The medical profession does everything to prevent death, one of the most noblest of causes. Quality of life quantification is a precarious edge we need to be scared to approach for life vs death decisions, but cancer and its certainty when all else fails displaces that caution. I do not know why weeks of a wasting unconscious death is the only option for certain cancer patients. Your story of a woman that was able to plan her end brings me some hope we can learn to let go when it really is ‘that time to let go’.

Michael Seager
Lead Medical Equipment Planner at STERIS Corporation
Joe, sorry for your loss. I have never understood my we don’t let our old and sick choose to end their life. I get that we should fight to stay alive but at some point we should have the right to give up and end our suffering. It’s even more perplexing when you consider that many people, if not the vast majority, believe in some form of life after death.

Jacqueline B.
—
sorry for the loss of your pet health care practitioners and providers do too much at end of life thinking all this technology will help it doesnt and it costs our country a fortune too lucrative we are being duplicitious

Richard Bradley
Author and Independent Medical Device Consultant
I think that euthanasia can be viewed as an alternative to prevent pain that is only likely to otherwise be relieved by death. I think, as far as possible, if the circumstances allow, the important consent is needed from the patient. If they are unresponsive, physically or mentally, then that person’s immediate family, with the advise and consent of the attending physician, bear the responsibility to determine if euthanasia is appropriate. Under circumstances even more muddled, then guidance by the religious, or philosophical view of those involved may have a place. I do not, however, believe that government, or other society groups, have a place, to prevent or allow euthanasia, under any circumstances.

Robert F. Baker
Regional Account Manager-East at Micro Systems Technologies Group
In my experience, we practice Euthenasia already in slo-mo with Hospice. It is painfully slow and shows little compassion for the patient or family members. My own Mother recently passed quickly after refusing to be taken to the hospital for treatment, because at 99+ she wanted quality of life over making it to 100!

Tim McCarthy
Senior Clinical Consultant at Winnow Diagnostics
So sorry as it is so hard to let go. As for the human condition… My mother was losing rapidly to stage 4 NSCLC after her therapy wasn’t able to keep it down any longer. So she didn’t suffer through all the pain the only legal option for our family to keep her in a morphine induced coma while her body withered. My sister bore the vigil for weeks as her employer matched her saintly stance with its patience to support her. The medical profession does everything to prevent death, one of the most noblest of causes. Quality of life quantification is a precarious edge we need to be scared to approach for life vs death decisions, but cancer and its certainty when all else fails displaces that caution. I do not know why weeks of a wasting unconscious death is the only option for certain cancer patients. Your story of a woman that was able to plan her end brings me some hope we can learn to let go, when it really is ‘that time to let go’.

Thomas W. Gustin
Owner, GUSTECH, Senior Design Engineer,
Joe, Sorry to hear about your (physical) loss; the Love connection, of course, will always exist, being just a memory away. I do NOT believe that we, as a species, are anywhere near enlightened enough yet to deal with the topic of euthanasia, as depicted by our overall low capacity to Love ALL. Maybe in another few centuries, if we don’t destroy ourselves between now and then.

Michael Barber
Technology Consultant in Public Sector and Life Sciences
I have to admit. I do not quite get the west coast.

Kevin Heine
Lead, Market Access, Marketing & Sales-Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, & Biologics at AgilitX
So sorry for your loss , our “Fur Babies” do steal our hearts.

John Fedorjaka
Technical Manager / Entrepreneur / Product development and global sourcing of parts & assemblies
Sorry for your loss Joe. This is certainly an interesting topic that deserves further discussion. Personally, I would not want to prolong my life “unnaturally” in most circumstances, but would I want to end it prematurely? Difficult to answer.
What I can say is that I support those who may, for medical reasons want to be free of the pain and suffering, and eventual end that will follow. We all die, but for some, there’s some comfort in being able to dictate the terms.

Svetlana Shubina, CPIM
Engineering Services Specialist
Sorry about your dog, I do feel your pain… we had to let our cat go – acute kidney failure. Last 3 days of his life cost us more than $2000. We will be glad to pay twice that much to save his life. Average life span for outdoor cat is about 6 years. He was 15. Yes, it was very emotional moment for all of us, we was with him all the time and doctors was very supportive and kind.
How do I feel about human euthanasia? 23 year ago my mother asked me to kill her. Cancer, 7 month after the surgery, unbearable pain. She was screaming all nights long. Pain killers did not work. She hardly could get from her bed to the chair.
Yes, million times YES! Humans need to have this option available to stay humans.

Judy Woodley
Account Consultant at Avanos Medical (formerly Halyard Health) – Respiratory Health Division
So sorry for the loss of your beloved dog. I have a cavalier king Charles spaniel who is 10 years old. I cherish him & will hug Mr Big extra tight in memory of your Brooklyn.

Brendan Koop, Ph.D.
R&D Fellow at Boston Scientific
I sympathize with all those who have mentally reached the point where they feel ending their life is the most rational choice. However, we as a society have failed them. We have turned life into a utilitarian enterprise, where your ability to accomplish things or “produce,” or the “burden” of your cares, impacts how much your life is worth. Personal suffering can be largely solved by modern medicine. Through hospice care, pain medications, and other means, personal suffering can be significantly reduced. But it is the loss of dignity that I believe causes those in this situation to want to die. They do not want to be a burden to others, and this sadly is reinforced by a society which does not want to be burdened.