Not the most pleasant of evenings.

Benner · **on:** June 10, 2009, 12:58:41 AM

To top off my very hard day at work ( left home at 8am, got home at 7.30pm and hadn't eaten a single thing all day) going in and out of hospitals with the kids, I came home and one of Sue's budgies (don't laugh!

) was very ill and was on it's way out. Hearing it squeal in pain was not very pleasant so we decided it needed to be put out of it's misery. So, out come the air pistol and after a few deep breaths I shot it and the job was done. I actually found it very difficult to do and has confirmed without any doubt that despite my name, there is nothing about me in the least bit "Hunter" like.

So I'm interested to know, how many of you here think I am just being stupid and can't see what I am on about and how many here would have struggled as well? It's not something I want to be repeating anytime soon that's for sure.

cliosguy · **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2009, 01:02:48 AM

i never had to do something like that, las time we got this very ill dog, but the vet take care of it...i dont know if id be able of doing it myself $:-\$

Gareth · **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2009, 01:04:32 AM

If you didn't have trouble with doing that I might be worried. Whether or not they are your favourite animals in the world, it was still a pet. It's not the same as hunting for food, or even for pleasure, it was simply something that had to be done to put it out if it's misery. Have a beer and try to get some sleep, 'cos it sounds like you need it. (The beer I mean)

Nikos · **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2009, 01:04:58 AM

A man's got to do what a man's got to do. Simple is that. What you did was a good thing mate. I probably wouldn't think twice, having killed and/or eaten larger animals not in distress...

Benner · **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2009, 01:07:43 AM

Not just me being a wimp then.

It was odd, as right up until I aimed I thought I was fine with it and then it took me a long time to finally pull the trigger. I had no doubt that it needed to be done, but it was still difficult to do.

Nikos · **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2009, 01:09:06 AM

Trying to cheer things up: does it mean you'll also have to let go of one of your tools now?

rp252 · **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2009, 01:09:36 AM

Never put a pet out of its misery, but plenty of animals my cats have dragged home including bats, birds, squirrels and rabbits. I usually use a spade, after putting a blanket over the animals head.

Its not the nicest way to end a day. Hope you feel better soon mate.

Benner · **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2009, 01:10:07 AM

Quote from: noth on June 10, 2009, 01:09:06 AM

Trying to cheer things up: does it mean you'll also have to let go of one of your tools now?

No, it just means another sodding budgie will be arriving soon.

hawkchucker · **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2009, 01:21:53 AM

Ben I grew upon a farm with a father whom went by the Ol Yeller theroy. Your animal your responsibility. you did right to the animal. It would have suffered greatly going to the vet, and no, your feelings are right on.

nuphoria · **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2009, 01:37:31 AM

It's a most unpleasant job, especially if you don't hunt or shoot animals on a regular basic. You did the right thing mate, and you're a normal human being for having feelings about it

I've had to dispatch one or two creatures that my cats/dogs have broken and I didn't enjoy it one bit.

Anthony · **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2009, 02:10:27 AM

You did right Ben...think of the alternatives and you'll find for the birds sake you did right.

I don't find "killing stuff" for the sake of "killing" that exhilarating...I don't go out of my way to even step on bugs or anthills.

I'd feel more comfortable pulling the trigger for another human before a deer or rabbit for what it's worth.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2009, 02:18:07 AM

I agree with you- and wasn't all that heavy metal music supposed to de-sensitize and warp us and make us prone to killing?

Killing an animal is a difficult proposition for me as well. I would hesitate to kill an animal that was threatening me in the wild, but I have little compunction about a person in my house.... I suppose I am warped!

Putting a pet out of it's misery is one of the hardest things you can ever do. It is something we will almost all have to face at some time or another, and trust me, if you thought putting a bird you only marginally cared for down is hard, imagine how hard a dog or cat that sleeps with you and is constantly at hand would be.

Birds, as nice as they are, are one step above hamsters, which are one step above fish in my book. Not to belittle any of them, but they aren't so much pets in my mind, as inexpensive lessons in death for your kids. Apparently you got your money's worth out of this one, as it seems you learned a little something as well.

Def

Crouton · **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2009, 03:04:03 AM

Euthanizing a pet should be a somber event. It's a tough thing to do, but sometimes it's for the best. You have my condolences.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #13 on:** June 10, 2009, 03:13:34 AM

Ben,

Putting down a pet is NOT anything like hunting. Even if it's not your pet, the knowledge that it was cherished by someone you care about assigns a emotional value to a pet that often reaches the level that one usually thinks of in terms of children.

If it hadn't affected you, that would have been worrisome--pathologic even.

We've put down a few cats and dogs and it is never easy--it doesn't even get easier despite familiarity. Sorry to hear about the budgie.

Sean · **Reply #14 on:** June 10, 2009, 05:09:03 AM

My condolences Benner.

Years ago my Dad came to me and asked if I could take their Shepard to the Vet to be put down (13yo) she was having trouble. I said I would. He just couldn't do it and told me so. I went over to pick the dog up from the farm and my Dad was nowhere to be found but my Mom was and so I took Kate and we left. I was ok taking her in and was alright chatting with the vet for ahwile.
It wasn't until I was starting out of the room that I had a problem. I should have never glanced back. The Dog's doleful eyes were following me out, quizzical look, head cocked sideways. I was a mess for awhile afterwards.

Gadget Guy · **Reply #15 on:** June 10, 2009, 06:20:44 AM

Ben, I just read this and I'm very sorry that you had to go through that. I'm a big animal lover and any loss is tragic one for the one who lost the pet. My dog Honey has been gone for two years now and it still brings me to tears just thinking about her.

Anyway, I hope things look up really soon my friend!

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #16 on:** June 10, 2009, 06:48:36 AM

I'd hate to do that mate, so feeling bad about it is a good thing imo, as all animal life is precious imo

Like Corregated, I'd feel more comfortable killing a human than a defenceless animal, and only do kill them (animals) if I have too

JohnD · **Reply #17 on:** June 10, 2009, 08:44:16 AM

Benner,i'm really sorry to hear that pal, i do hunt however NOT for fun. I i shoot something we eat it simple as. However i would NEVER be able to do what you did my friend.

kiwiblade · **Reply #18 on:** June 10, 2009, 12:44:26 PM

growing up on a farm i have had to shoot many animals including pets.one of the first was my pet lamb that was destined for the freezer but you do what you have to do.i still go hunting and i still feel for the animals that i kill but it is the nature of life you have to kill something to eat and i prefer to do it myself because i now it is quick and the animal is respected.that and it tastes so much better especally wild pork

pets that you have had for a long time like dogs and cats are hard to do but often there is no better way so you do it as quick as possible and then bury them then have a beer and a quite time

Styerman · **Reply #19 on:** June 10, 2009, 04:13:07 PM

Putting down a pet is never easy , even a PITA pet . I think you made the right call .

Chris

WhichDawg · **Reply #20 on:** June 10, 2009, 05:33:41 PM

I'm sorry Ben, but you did the humane thing, hard as it was, I've been there mate

I remember when I was a kid, dad brought home a chicken, and I got to help take care of it,
I'd play with it everyday, cool bird, it would always "cluck" and "sing" out back.

One day I came home and dad served me some soup, it was really good, fresh you know, really
flavorful, then it hit me and I asked dad; "where's the chicken, I don't hear it today" he said
with a wicked smile, "your eating it!"

soup and birds have never been the same since!

long remember our buddies!

Benner · **Reply #21 on:** June 10, 2009, 05:37:19 PM

Quote from: WhichDawg on June 10, 2009, 05:33:41 PM

I'm sorry Ben, but you did the humane thing, hard as it was, I've been there mate

I remember when I was a kid, dad brought home a chicken, and I got to help take care of it,
I'd play with it everyday, cool bird, it would always "cluck" and "sing" out back.

One day I came home and dad served me some soup, it was really good, fresh you know, really
flavorful, then it hit me and I asked dad; "where's the chicken, I don't hear it today" he said
with a wicked smile, "your eating it!" (Image removed from quote.)

soup and birds have never been the same since!
long remember our buddies!

I'm all up for educating kids about food and where it comes from, but that was a bit cruel. $:-\$

WhichDawg · **Reply #22 on:** June 10, 2009, 05:53:07 PM

and that's when he was being nice!

another budgie story (is that the same as a parakeet?)

I was visiting a friend with my little terrier, dog loved everybody and we were in their house
and they had a parakeet that they had for a long time, a real friendly bird, would fly on
everyone and peck and look at you, they always let it fly around the place, they really
loved that bird!

for whatever reason it decided to fly down by my dog.... "chomp!" my dog just instinctively
gobbled it up! broke it's neck instantly, I felt so bad, they were horrified!
I didn't bring my doggie back

Benner · **Reply #23 on:** June 10, 2009, 06:10:48 PM

That's must have been awkward. $:-\$

Mike · **Reply #24 on:** June 10, 2009, 08:37:17 PM

Ben, sorry you had to go through that. I myself have been there and done that. It is tough to do even when it's painfully obvious it is necessary. It's ok to feel bad, it shows you have compassion for other living creatures and there's nothing wrong with that my friend.

Mike

nuphoria · **Reply #25 on:** June 10, 2009, 08:52:25 PM

They say that mass murderers start off by killing or torturing animals when they are young so it's probably a good thing that we all feel this way!

I have to agree about being able to shoot a human rather than an animal though - I think it's about people pissing us off knowingly and animals not doing so. We are thinking of getting chickens at some some point and as much as I'd love the fresh eggs, I'm not sure I could enjoy having Florence or Clucky for dinner

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #26 on:** June 10, 2009, 09:40:02 PM

Heh.

When we had chickens on the farm (we collected eggs, but they were there for fly control) they all had names like Stew, T Rex, ShaknBake, Hennie Pennie, and Sunday Afternoon Dinner.

Craig · **Reply #27 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:08:06 PM

Well done on doing the right thing under difficult circumstances

. I've never had to kill and animal that I've gotton to know and hope I never do, must have been hard.

DaveK · **Reply #28 on:** June 10, 2009, 11:22:05 PM

After reading all these replies, I'm now worried that I'm a psychopath or something. A dog or a cat I could see some problems with, but I don't think I'd feel any remorse at all popping a cap in a budgie.

Am I a bad person?

Benner · **Reply #29 on:** June 10, 2009, 11:23:45 PM

Quote from: DaveK on June 10, 2009, 11:22:05 PM

After reading all these replies, I'm now worried that I'm a psychopath or something. A dog or a cat I could see some problems with, but I don't think I'd feel any remorse at all popping a cap in a budgie.

Am I a bad person?

I don't think you are and TBH I'm surprised I haven't had more "I don't get what your problem is" type replies. Perhaps everyone is just trying to be nice.

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Not the most pleasant of evenings.

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