Euthanasia???
The only one who gets any peace is the departed. His loved ones (those he didn't take with him) get to stay behind and clean up the mess that the "victim" couldn't handle. Suicide, in somes' opinions, may not be cowardice, but even by the standards set forth in the previous post, is at minimum EXTREMELY selfish.
I battle depression, tried to kill myself as a teen, and still have an occasional suicidal thought. The reason I don't repeat the childhood attempt is that, now I have responsibilty to my family, which means I'm not allowed to cause them harm or undue agony. Not only would they have to clean up the mess I leave, but they may also experience agony and grieving.
When the word "cowardice" is applied to those with suicidal tendencies, it is meant to encourage them to face their problems. The "end" that one does not know can be discerned from the purpose of not burdening others with your troubles. Find a reason to live within your troubles by not leaving them to those in grieving! (and leave innocent animals out of it!)

I should probably continue to stay quiet on this but...

My nephew died five years ago, one month after a suicide attempt. He was neither a selfish person or a coward. Afterward, we learned that a benign tumor in his head had grown and pressed against other areas of the brain. Without going into medical detail, he was suffering from symptoms that he didn't share with us. He was the kind of young man that you don't see around much these days. He was a hard worker, involved with ROTC for years, camped and fished...He was respectful...I could go on and on. All anyone remembers of him now is that he killed himself. He was seventeen. I loved him as my own.

Now I'm not saying that this guy wasn't an SOB for letting all those poor animals loose before taking his own life. But, general statements about suicide are just not fair and can really hurt people. The guy in OH was a douche bag for doing what he did to those animals, but, (and maybe I'm a bleeding heart), death is always a tragedy. I'd rather see him in jail.

It is because of people who hear the word "suicide" and immediately pass judgement, whether they know the facts or not, that my sister, who lost her only son, will lie and say he was in an accident if asked.

I don't usually talk about Vincent with anyone for the above reasons, but I am because I thought it might make a difference in the direction of this thread. I agree with the collective opinion on this individual person, just not the generalization of everyone who's taken their own life.

Please be kind.

Thank you so very much for sharing that, Janet.

I've gotten ready to post several times, but just bit my tongue instead. You've summed up my thoughts better than I ever could have.

I have a friend that was found dead in her car yesterday from a self inflicted gunshot wound. **** me if i think I can even fathom what was going on in her head.

I am sorry for your loss, Michael. I hope your friend has found her peace - and that those that love her can find peace as well.

Those that have never suffered from clinical depression can never understand suicidal thoughts. It's not just not being able to cope... I've been there a couple of times and my dogs have dragged me back from the edge. When I say that Toni has saved my life more than once.. I mean it litterally.

This POS in OH, and Winchester's previous owner.. it was more than depression and suicide. They weren't trying to get away from pain - they were intentionally inflicting it on others.

Exactly, if your clinically depressed (not just about a situation) you're absorbed in emotional pain, not a selfish coward...desperate for relief. Its interesting to note that a person can experience physical pain and not be emotionally effected by it...like feel it but it doesn't "hurt" Its the emotional part that's the worst.

But anyway, I've been through it too. In fact I attempted suicide twice. This probably isn't the place to go into detail so I'll leave that out. Both times ended the same, it was uncanny. The first time (1996) my little chow/setter mix burst into my room and jumped into my lap terrified. I couldn't do it when she came in there. The second time (2009)I was inside and my dutchie went ballistic jumping at the window where I was and barking his balls off. I was definitely out of my mind and it pissed me off but at the same time I knew he was right. I didn't do it, I called a friend instead. That would have been horrible, my mom's friend's kids were over.

My point other than its not about selfishness or cowardice...its about our dogs. They can help when people just don't get it. Its also about being aware and making the right choices when you can. My dogs made me aware. My dutchie Logan has the ability to sense and deal with any chemical imbalance I have going on. He is special. He can even get me to chill out enough to avoid disaster.

Its a shame other people didn't turn to their animals, but I guess one can loose faith in anything. So you see, there is a duality here...animals make us feel alive, I bet that guy wouldn't have shot himself in front of one of his tigers or wolves.

Tresa

 Quote: michael_wise

I've gotten ready to post several times, but just bit my tongue instead. You've summed up my thoughts better than I ever could have.

I have a friend that was found dead in her car yesterday from a self inflicted gunshot wound. **** me if i think I can even fathom what was going on in her head.

Depression can be so deep, so painful, that there is no glimpse of the possibility of anything different.

Living in such emotional pain can seem insupportable, and no view of a chance of changing it can get through.

If deep depression appears to be all there is, then yes, I can fathom choosing death.

I can even fathom trudging through from day to day in the depths of clinical depression, using the thought of suicide as a life preserver. That is, "I'll try another day; I always have suicide to fall back on."

I'm very sorry, Michael.

I always hope so hard that family and friends don't take blame to themselves. That kind of depression is a lonely state; the actions and concern and love of those around can be almost irrelevant to someone in the throes of despair.

All JMO, of course.

I just realized Micheal, that you said yesterday. Really sad to hear that.

Sorry for your loss Micheal I will say a prayer her and for all that may be dealing with depression and lets be thankful for our dogs/animals.
I'm thankful and grateful I've had the chance to experience my dog, see the light so to say and I'm not ashamed to say I love my dog with all my heart.
She doesn't care what I look like, what I drive or any of that stuff she likes me for what ever I am and when no one else seems to be there, understand or care, there's my Zoey girl always seems to be there.