Though perhaps a short one that the animal might not suffer.
Sheesh.
Onedoug, I don't mean to argue with you. You're entitled to your feelings and point of view. I was considering quoting the teachings of Jesus about the birds of the air and the lillies of the field, but you indicate in your #21 that you're not a Christian, so I won't try to force my point of view on you.
So what I'll say instead is that I believe the world is more -- and much greater -- than the sum total of humanity and human achievement. Some of us look at the stars and wonder. Some of us never look at the stars at all. Some of us find great warmth and love in the soft pat of a kitten, the closeness of a devoted dog, and the gentle nuzzle of a horse than most human beings ever extend to us. Some of us never get it.
It's OK that you don't share my point of view. I just resent the tendency of folks who share yours to insinuate that those of us who love animals enough to care about a case like Barbaro's are lacking in an ability to care about our own kind. The two kinds of love are not incompatible.