"Wally" wrote in message

| I was meaning the option to put down or not put down, rather than the
method
| of putting down.

The option is always there Wally..... the methods vary. Generally it would
mean in this context that the critter was a goner anyway, eventually, so
the choice was made for it. Go gentle into that good night now... or rage
against the dying of the light later.

Humane is an intent.... the reality is the outcome remains the same. If the
cat had learned to talk... it could have decided whether it would rather die
in a battle with an enraged pitbull or gently in it's sleep having it's
tummy rubbed and ear scratched. Then again if it could talk it would have
hired a team of lawyers... sued it's owner, demanded freedom for all cats
and become a burden on society.

Some Asian family is starving because they can't afford to buy a cat or dog
for supper and we're burying $1500 cats. Is there no justice?

CM