Disturbed

I was watching a natural history program on dogs over the weekend and witnessed a rather disturbing image. The narration eventually addressed the issue of the large numbers of animals euthanized each year due to overcrowding of animal shelters and lack of homes.

They actually showed a dog being put to sleep and this image has been haunting my thoughts. They showed a person petting and holding the dog standing on the table, showed the injection, showed how quickly- within twenty seconds- the dogs eyes get droopy, blinking sleepily and how he heavily collapsed in the persons arms. Over, that quickly.

At least even the unwanted animals do not die alone. A coworker provided that insight, she used to work at a clinic and would be the person holding the animals as they were put to sleep. She too, was surprised to learn something like that was televised, as they always went to great measures to insure no one would have to witness this, although some people do decide to stay and hold their pets being put to sleep for medical reasons.

I can not get the image out of my head nor the sick feeling it brings to my heart.