Yes - we keep a lot of pets that live far less than a full and normal life.
Birds in cages. Fish in tanks. Hamsters, lizards, mice, ferrets, hamsters, etc. etc. etc. And, we keep hundreds of animals in zoos. None of these animals live close to the way they would if they were living as they were meant to live.
I had a beautiful little Conure (a small parrot), and I often looked at him and felt sorry that he couldn't soar through the heavens with a flock of 50 to 100 other Conures like himself somewhere in South America as he was meant to do. I think he would have enjoyed that more than being kept in a cage.
But, my little Conure was bred in captivity and born to be a pet. He never knew any different, and he bonded with me (he never knew one of his own kind), and he danced and sang (and even talked) and rode on my shoulder all over the house. He was happy, playful, and affectionate. He sang to welcome every new day and tucked his head beneath his wings while he slept every night. Even though he wasn't free and couldn't fly, he enjoyed being alive.
I am sure this little puppy, even though he can't get around very well (like my Conure who couldn't fly) could enjoy every day as long as he is comfortable and would enjoy loving and being love by whoever cares for him.
Remember dogs don't live in the past or in the future. They live in the now. So - everyday, this little puppy is comfortable and able to love and be loved is a special day and a special time for him. He doesn't think about what happened last week or last month, and he's not worried about tomorrow or next month or next year. I think it would be wrong to put him to sleep as long as he is comfortable - only because he is crippled and won't live more than a few years. His life is already going to be shortened -- why take what little he has left away from him?
Carol Jean |