The Right to Die and Not be Eaten
This past Friday (April 12), New Jersey officially joined the ranks of eight other states and the District of Columbia to make it legal to give a terminally ill patient the right to take his/her own life and die with dignity.
At 71 years of age, I still enjoy an active, interesting, and independent lifestyle. However, I have visited enough acquaintances in personal care homes and lying in caskets in funeral homes to realize that, sooner or later, my lifestyle may no longer be enjoyable, active, interesting, or independent. When that time does arrive, I would like the freedom and opportunity to consider ending it on my own terms.
Hopefully, whenever that time comes, my home state of Pennsylvania will have joined the ranks of those that have adopted assisted suicide laws. If not, I will move in with one of my adult children who lives in New Jersey until I fulfill the legal residency requirement. At that time, I will end my life with dignity and no regrets. A dog named Buster currently resides with that adult child and her family. Buster is a great dog, but he has a tendency to eat any dead thing made of meat and bone. Since I am an organ donor and have stipulated in my will that what ever parts are left be cremated, I hereby insist that Buster not be permitted to eat me.
At 71 years of age, I still enjoy an active, interesting, and independent lifestyle. However, I have visited enough acquaintances in personal care homes and lying in caskets in funeral homes to realize that, sooner or later, my lifestyle may no longer be enjoyable, active, interesting, or independent. When that time does arrive, I would like the freedom and opportunity to consider ending it on my own terms.
Hopefully, whenever that time comes, my home state of Pennsylvania will have joined the ranks of those that have adopted assisted suicide laws. If not, I will move in with one of my adult children who lives in New Jersey until I fulfill the legal residency requirement. At that time, I will end my life with dignity and no regrets. A dog named Buster currently resides with that adult child and her family. Buster is a great dog, but he has a tendency to eat any dead thing made of meat and bone. Since I am an organ donor and have stipulated in my will that what ever parts are left be cremated, I hereby insist that Buster not be permitted to eat me.
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Christine wrote: "Very interesting - the right to die is a hot topic for many people. Just accepting the fact they are mortal is hard enough without having to decide when they would like to die. So does assisted dyi..."Christine,
I found your reply to be both interesting and informative, as all your previous comments have been.
Death is a very personal and private matter. Each individual's personal beliefs, philosophy, and background are the deciding factors and should be respected. I believe that each person's concept of death and how to deal with their own death will ultimately be the right decision for them.
Although I am sure that Buster would appreciate you willingness to contribute to his diet, I personally still prefer to buy him a six-dollar doggy treat instead.
Thank you for remaining a loyal follower of the blog and, once again, contributing you much appreciated thoughts and opinion.
Jim Vuksic
The right to die with dignity has long been high on my agenda. For many years, I was an Administrator of nursing homes and hospitals, and I witnessed the agony of those wishing to die and not being given the right to do so. Without admitting to any crime--I did what I could to change that. As a Spiritualist--and a medium--I have no fear of death. Not that I wish to pass over any sooner than I should, but when the time comes, passing over could and should be as pleasant as the circumstances permit. Thanks for speaking up, Jim. More people have to.
Charles wrote: "The right to die with dignity has long been high on my agenda. For many years, I was an Administrator of nursing homes and hospitals, and I witnessed the agony of those wishing to die and not being..."Charles.
As a former hospital and nursing home administrator you no doubt have witnessed more suffering and death than most. The fact that your experience has led you to believe in and support the right of one to choose a dignified and painless death rather than a drawn-out miserable one provides me with the hope and confidence that the entire nation, and perhaps the world, will eventually adopt and legalize the right to die with dignity philosophy.
Thank you for expending the time and effort to read the blog and post your comment.
Jim
I donated my organs and tissue for medical transplants and research with cremation of whatever is left. I don't need to worry about a "Buster" eating me, but the thought of making a family pet happy - as opposed to the family trying to figure out what to do with the ashes - doesn't sound so bad. It won't bother you - you'll be dead...