To broaden my vocabulary I subscribe to an email newsletter called "Word A Day."
While it has done wonders to expand my dialect, today took me by surprise, in a variety of ways. It touched my spirit and soul. Today's word and definition:
euthanize
PRONUNCIATION: (YOO-thuh-nyz)
MEANING: verb tr.: Ending life for humane reasons, such as to avoid pain from an incurable condition.
ETYMOLOGY: Back-formation from euthanasia (mercy killing), from Greek eu- (good) + thanatos (death). Earliest documented use: 1931. A related word is thanatophobia (an abnormal fear of death).
USAGE: "A terminally sick humpback whale that became stranded on a beach in Western Australia two weeks ago was euthanized Thursday with an explosive charge."
Stranded, Sick Whale Euthanized With Explosives; Associated Press (New York); Sep 3, 2010.
Those of you who have read my two previous blogs know all too well that I'm very much an advocate for rescuing animals from shelters and rescue groups. Personally, my husband Wes and I have four, and if we had the time, space and means, we would have more. Why?
Straight hard facts. 5-6 million animals each year are euthanized. Now, imagine those of us who have animals in our homes....multiply that little furry guy by 5-6 million. Makes my heart stop. The largest reason all these animals are put down is because negligent dog or cat owners didn't spend the time (or money) to spay or neuter. They wanted to pay for a vacation by selling their puppies, they wanted little Johnny to experience birth and what its like to have kittens and puppies....or the dog in heat broke free or the guy around town just was lucky enough to get that bitch during her season. Whatever the reason, it can be stopped.
Please do your part to make this unnecessary action take place.
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