My heart broke into a thousand pieces the moment Duke was surrendered. At nine years old, the shepherd mix was almost certainly in the final chapters of his life. But that didn’t stop his family from leaving him behind in order to move on to the next chapter of theirs. To this day, I’ve never seen an animal so sad, so broken, so hopeless. Freshly divorced and broke, I already had my own menagerie of rescued critters living in my tiny 900-square-foot home, including a sickly foster puppy I was in the process of adopting, so I wasn’t able to give Duke a proper home. And despite the efforts of my colleagues and me to comfort and socialize him, Duke remained at the back of his kennel, refusing to eat or make eye contact. Aside from being shy, Duke had an amazing temperament so we held out hope the perfect family would come along and give him a second chance. But no one was interested in a senior dog who refused to interact. All the other dogs knew the drill—when a human walks in, you jump as high as you can at the front of your kennel and bark, “Pick me! Pick me!” But not Duke. He just lay in his kennel motionless, even when I would spend my lunch break cuddled up beside him. Duke continued to decline.
And then one day he looked up at me and I knew. His pain was palpable and his eyes begged me to let him go. My heart sank and tears welled up in my eyes.
“Okay sweet pea. I know. It’s time to go home.”
The decision to end the life of an animal is never easy. Never. Like you, I entered into animal welfare to save as many animals as possible. And I accepted the task of euthanasia to offer kindness, love, and comfort to them as they took their final breath. Even though Duke was wasting away, consumed by his own grief and sorrow, I still struggled with my own conflicting values. I longed to help Duke heal and find a loving, forever home where he could live out his golden years. But the thought of prolonging his suffering was not an option. And so I had, as many of you do every day, an impossible decision. Making a decision between two or more ethically conflicting options is known as a moral dilemma. And thus, this the reality for so many animal welfare workers around the world, who often have no choice but to stand helplessly at the crossroads between the role of savior and the recognition of their own human limitations.
So what is one to do when confronted with a moral dilemma? Here are some suggestions to help you navigate these painful decisions:
Get Clarity. First, try to clearly define the moral dilemma you are facing. Ask yourself, What are the conflicting values or principles involved? (e.g., the desire to help an animal versus the potential harm it could cause to that animal or others). What are the possible outcomes—positive and negative—for you, the animal(s) involved, and other people? Do I (or my organization) have the resources needed (time, energy, financial, etc.) to commit to this decision?
Reflect on Your Values. Making a well-informed decision can be especially difficult when the welfare and lives of animals are at stake. Taking a moment to pause and reflect on and prioritize your core values can help you determine which choice best reflects your most important values at this moment. So for example, perhaps one of your core values is compassion, the desire to alleviate the suffering of animals. But another value might be self-care. Will this decision put a strain on my emotional well-being? Will it help my emotional well-being?
Consider Consequences. Take some time to consider the consequences, both short- and long-term, of each choice you’re considering when struggling with a moral dilemma. Which decision the most responsible? Is this decision sustainable? Is it a solution that will benefit or hurt me and the animal(s) in the long run?
Get in Touch with Your Emotions. When it comes to making a decision, it’s hard to separate emotions from logic when dealing with a moral dilemma. I am the first one to acknowledge that my heart is bigger than my brain. However, by recognizing what’s driving our desire to make one particular choice over another, it can help us to make a more balanced decision rather one based on purely on impulse. If you need help identifying the feelings coming up for you when you’re faced with a moral dilemma, check out my emotion list here.
Find Middle Ground. When it comes to a moral dilemma, the answer is that there is no correct answer. What’s one to do when all options will inevitably cause distress and conflict with your beliefs? Try to balance your heart and brain by looking for a solution that is both ethical and pragmatic. Can I provide immediate relief to a suffering animal even though it may not be a long-term solution? Are there other ways to help this animal? How can I best help this animal in a way that doesn’t put a strain on my own wellbeing or compromise the wellbeing of the animals I am currently caring for? Are there any cost-effective strategies, such as fundraisers or partnerships that would allow for me or my organization to assist this animal without overstretching or depleting resources?
Use Wise Mind. One of my favorite therapeutic techniques when dealing with decisions or situations that emotionally charged is to engage in “wise mind.” We all have an emotional brain and a rational brain. Wise Mind is the space where the two combine, allowing emotions and reason to coexist and work together. When we make decisions using our wise mind, we’re doing so in a way that's not purely reactive or overly analytical; instead, we are grounded in both feelings and facts. It’s important to acknowledge your feelings while also looking at the situation logically. Ask yourself the following: What would emotional mind do? Go back to my emotion list if you need help identifying all the feelings that are coming up. What would rational mind do? Try to think purely analytically. Take a “just the facts ma’am” approach to the situation. Now, What would wise mind do? By integrating your heart and your head, you’ll be better prepared to make best choice possible. With moral dilemmas, the choice won’t be easy, but hopefully it can be a decision that honors both your values and your circumstances.
For those of us who care so much that it hurts, it can feel like every choice comes with a heavy burden. Our compassion drives us to want to save every animal, but the limitations of being human prevent us from doing so. The reality is that this emotional tug-of-war is a large part of the work we do, and so when we’re faced with moral dilemmas, it’s important to turn that compassion inward. Realize that heartache is inevitable in animal welfare, but by using skills such as wise mind, reflecting on our values, and considering all the impacts of our decision, we can make the best choice possible for both us and the animals we’re fighting for. And when you feel overwhelmed, remember it's okay to reach out to others for support, and know that no matter the outcome, you're doing the best you can with what you have at this time.
-By Jen Blough
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