General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Pets are 'scared' and look around for their owners in dying moments. [View all]tonedevil
(3,022 posts)that a non-human companion doesn't know it is dying doesn't square with my experience. That said, my grandmother didn't know who she or anybody else was and I doubt very much if she knew she was dying, but I still stayed camped out and by her bed at the facility for her last days. I know I have talked to and comforted my companions if they had to be anesthetized for any reason. Obviously I'm not going to be in surgery and sometimes medical emergency has to take precedence.
I understand that a lot of people are very upset being in the presence of another animal that is dying. That goes for human animals as well as non-human. If one is unable to hold up they are unable to hold up. My mother's sister was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer. It took her nearly a year for it to consume her. As she got worse and worse my aunt was hoping my mother would come help more. My mother was not able to the depression she was experiencing made her physically ill. My mother has expressed regret, but is still stuck in depression 2 years later. I think the aftermath would be easier for my mother if she had been able to face her fear/depression, but I saw what was happening to her and I don't think she was physically capable.
Long story short version:
I reject the concept of non-human animals not being our equals. I am quite certain that non-human animals have an awareness of our presence and look for our companionship to provide comfort. I can't speak for other human companions of non-human animals, but I am involved in anything like that to the extent I can be so without causing difficulties.