Our family has been devastated by the recent loss of our beloved pitbull, Fiona, who was wrongfully euthanized. Fiona was a lovely and sweet dog who brought joy and love into our lives. She was my constant companion through thick and thin, my rock during my lowest moments, and my best friend since I was a child. I fell into a great grieving state at only the age of 13, and I'm currently still grieving this tragic loss at 14 years, i think of this EVERY night, the thought of me not saying goodbye, the thought of the fact that my ONLY friend who understood me, was forever gone, and the thought of me not getting to embrace her in my arms ever again, or be greeted at the door by her sweet kisses or cute cuddles.

 Fiona, despite being 14 years old, was still full of life and cherished by anyone who crossed her path. Sadly, my father was getting annoyed by her daily care required, like taking her on walks, feeding her,taking her to the vet, and going to the store to buy her food. Without me and my sister's knowledge, he brought Fiona to the vet and had her euthanized. Me and my sisters had a great day at school and we were coming home feeling great, and laughing, until my dad broke the news, this caused great anger and sadness throughout me and my sisters. I cried every night and grieved my heart out, the thought of knowing that my companion had been lost. Imagine coming home after school on a sunny afternoon, only to be met with the shattering news that the loving companion you'd grown up with, attended every birthday with, and whose comforting presence you took for granted is suddenly gone. I remember all those moments—the familiarity of her presence, the sense of security she gave me. Our beloved pitbull was not simply a pet, she was family. Knowing that, had the decision been different, she could still be here today, possibly living many more happy years with us, is a deep and painful burden. The knowledge of no more lovely greetings after school, no more midnight snuggles when i had a bad day, no more comforting kisses, or just the presence of her. Whenever I see a dog outside with their owner, I'm always reminded of the life that was taken from us.

For a 14-year-old still navigating the tumultuous waves of adolescence, the abrupt loss of a cherished friend adds another layer of complexity to already mixed emotions and a developing mind. For a teenager, losing a pet is not merely losing an animal, but losing a confidant, a friend, and a source of unconditional love. At 14, our emotions are already volatile, our brains still developing, and we heavily rely on the stability and companionship our pets provide. The absence of such a friend can lead to heightened stress, anxiety, and depression, disrupting an adolescent's mental health and emotional well-being. 

 According to the veterinarian, Fiona could have lived five more years. It took her three shots before she finally succumbed—a fact that deeply haunts me. The loss we felt was not just of a pet but of a family member, a sentiment shared by my sisters and me. In her, we lost not just a companion but a beacon of unconditional love and loyalty. This decision to put her down was made without consulting us, the family members who loved Fiona dearly. She didn’t just leave us; she was taken without the chance for the whole family to say goodbye, without allowing an important part of our family the opportunity for closure. My heart aches knowing she could have lived for another five years, bringing joy and wagging tails to our home.

  This caused depression amongst the family and a longing for our best friend's presence. She was a happy soul who deserved better, she will be long remembered and still mourned over. We believe this unjust situation highlights the need for better communication and decision-making processes regarding the euthanasia of pets, especially when they are healthy enough to live longer and are an integral part of a family.

To Fiona:

A poem just for you: 

You give me so much loyalty,

 In my heart your royalty,

Others call you ugly and old,

But your love shall never be sold,

You and I have so much trust,

We would never leave one another in the dust,

Others may mock your beauty,

But you're still my beautiful cutie!

You helped me when i was low,

But now your flying high,

So high up in the sky.  

      I love you,    

And that's no lie.

 We demand that veterinary institutions adopt stricter guidelines before allowing healthy animals to be put down, such as requiring multiple signed consents from family members. There should also be mandatory counseling and discussions involving all family members before making irreversible decisions. By signing this petition, you can help us advocate for Fiona and all pets facing similar circumstances, ensuring that their voices and the voices of those who love them are not only heard but also respected and valued in such critical decisions, I ask for your support to bring about this much-needed change—to ensure no more families have to endure the heartache we have. Your signature can help raise awareness, advocating for mandatory comprehensive family consultation before any irreversible decisions regarding euthanizing a pet are made.

 Please sign this petition to help us seek justice for Fiona and to prevent any other family from experiencing the pain we have endured. Let us come together to advocate for change and ensure the well-being of our beloved pets.