Chuck,

I've ripped you on several occassions, but have to agree with you on this. I'm sure they are compassionate people. But true compasion would have been to recognize the horrific injuries and, coupled with the extreme unlikelihood of recovery, the decision to humanely put down the horse.

I'm sure many of us have had to deal with similar situations involving our pets. My favorite dog was a stray mutt, loyal as can be and with quirks that would make me shake my head. She didn't give litters to million dollar puppies, but I loved her like no other dog I ever had. When she was 12 the ligament went out in her hind leg. I took her to the vet where they perfomed surgery. A few days later the ligament went out again, so they again performed surgery again (kindly charging me for the anestetics only) and fused the joint. This would allow her to walk and get around. She wasn't home for 2 days when her other hind leg had the same problem. She couldn't walk and the only option was more surgery with no assurance that it would be successful. I couldn't bear to have her go through surgery all over again, so I made the desision to put her down.

I know...what does a dog have to do with this. I guess my point is that putting the welfare of your pet first comes at thy expense of putting your personal feelings second. I think of her often, and I sleep well at night knowing I did the right thing by her. I hope the Jackson's do the right thing by Barbaro.

P-Dub