Euthanasia at Home

After reading Judy Weisman’s letter about her search for euthanasia at home for her poor dog, I felt compelled to write this letter [“Unfilled Need,” 6/10/10]. I, too, faced this, on February 15, when my beloved lab mix Buddy was unable to get up ever again and he was too heavy for me to get him to the vet. Thankfully, I moved from Santa Barbara to Lompoc four years ago, where I have been able to obtain vet care from the wonderful folks at Animal Care Hospital. Tammy Mendez, DVM, and her great helper came to my house and gently put Buddy to sleep at home, where he would have wanted to be anyhow. Thanks to all the great staff at Animal Care Hospital for the compassionate care they provide. Perhaps some of the vets in Santa Barbara will read this and realize that euthanasia at home prevents a pet who is dying from having to take one last terrifying trip to the vet.—Jane Petrich, Lompoc

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After reading Judy Weisman’s letter about [trying to get] veterinarian Margie Mason to come to her house to euthanize her suffering pet, I can only hope that there could be an equivalent for us humans who may find ourselves in a similar, miserable predicament. Alas, it is not to be. At least not yet. How barbaric are we as a species when we put our animals out of their misery yet condemn our human loved ones to a torturous demise, knowing there is no hope of recovery or relief?—Entera, Montecito