Vets are human, they cry too! Thank God they're there.
Lisa
Full Version: Death (from A Vet's Perspective)
When I took Patches for his first vet appointment this past Saturday, I thought I would be nosy and ask one of my vets how a death of a long-time client (such as Precious) affects them. She told me it's very hard for them to do what they do to help a suffering pet, and that the death of the long-time client is a little hard to get over, especially when it's one that was having a lot of problems. They call the owners a week after and ask how they're doing and offer advice on pet loss counseling if needed. They also send out a beautiful, ready-to-frame poem of Rainbow Bridge with personal condolences handwritten on the bottom. I framed the one they sent me after Precious died.
Vets are human, they cry too! Thank God they're there.
Lisa
Vets are human, they cry too! Thank God they're there.
Lisa
Lisa,
You're right! Vets ABSOLUTELY are human and they DO cry! I was a vet tech for many years before having my daughter (I'm now a stay at home mom) and I know for a fact that vets have a VERY difficult time when ANY of their patients are lost, especially their long time ones
! Even to this day I still remember several that were very close to my heart 
. It is a very difficult job, and one that requires a very deep love and understanding of animals because MOST of the animals at a vet clinic aren't very happy about being there and even the most loving animal can become unmanageable at the vet. It seems like all I ever hear on this site are people complaining about their vet in some form or another (when it usually isn't the vets fault at all...just our lack of communication with them), so it is nice to hear someone recognize just how important they are for our furbabies and appreciate them 
! Also, a lot of people think that vets in general make a ton of money. WRONG! The clinic owners themselves (who have usually been in the business for some time and have already paid their dues under someone else) make a lot of money, true, but the vets that work for them don't! My vet (a few years back), whom I was friends with, confided in me that she made less than 50,000 a year!! I don't think that this is a huge amount of pay for the difficulty of the job, the hours they work, the number of years that they have to go to school ( not to mention the amount of money that is owed back after school!), and the people that they have to deal with! I really don't think that people show their vets the appreciation that they deserve! After my Zada had to have a major knee surgery, I sent her (special orthopedic) surgeon a flower arrangement and a thank you card...you would have thought he hit the lottery! It meant so much to him. All the card said was 'Thank you for having the knowledge to fix my baby. She wouldn't be able to be with me today if not for your love of animals and your desire to provide them a better life.' It meant so much to him because people are often too upset about the money spent to appreciate what they have done for them and their furbaby. It cost us $2,000 to have Zada's knee fixed, but if this man had not gone above and beyond in his research and education into the world of specialized orthopedic surgery for animals, we would have had to put Zada to sleep...the money wasn't important to us...this man saved our babies life and we appreciated it greatly regardless of the cost!
[quote]Thank God they're there
You're right! Vets ABSOLUTELY are human and they DO cry! I was a vet tech for many years before having my daughter (I'm now a stay at home mom) and I know for a fact that vets have a VERY difficult time when ANY of their patients are lost, especially their long time ones
! Even to this day I still remember several that were very close to my heart . It is a very difficult job, and one that requires a very deep love and understanding of animals because MOST of the animals at a vet clinic aren't very happy about being there and even the most loving animal can become unmanageable at the vet. It seems like all I ever hear on this site are people complaining about their vet in some form or another (when it usually isn't the vets fault at all...just our lack of communication with them), so it is nice to hear someone recognize just how important they are for our furbabies and appreciate them ! Also, a lot of people think that vets in general make a ton of money. WRONG! The clinic owners themselves (who have usually been in the business for some time and have already paid their dues under someone else) make a lot of money, true, but the vets that work for them don't! My vet (a few years back), whom I was friends with, confided in me that she made less than 50,000 a year!! I don't think that this is a huge amount of pay for the difficulty of the job, the hours they work, the number of years that they have to go to school ( not to mention the amount of money that is owed back after school!), and the people that they have to deal with! I really don't think that people show their vets the appreciation that they deserve! After my Zada had to have a major knee surgery, I sent her (special orthopedic) surgeon a flower arrangement and a thank you card...you would have thought he hit the lottery! It meant so much to him. All the card said was 'Thank you for having the knowledge to fix my baby. She wouldn't be able to be with me today if not for your love of animals and your desire to provide them a better life.' It meant so much to him because people are often too upset about the money spent to appreciate what they have done for them and their furbaby. It cost us $2,000 to have Zada's knee fixed, but if this man had not gone above and beyond in his research and education into the world of specialized orthopedic surgery for animals, we would have had to put Zada to sleep...the money wasn't important to us...this man saved our babies life and we appreciated it greatly regardless of the cost![quote]Thank God they're there
YOU SAID IT! 
That is so wonderful!!! It takes a special human to deal with animals from birth to death, and vets are very underrated at the things they do and what they go through to even see their clients! I've never seen an animal that seemed happy to go to the vet until taking Patches last Saturday. He was so calm and cool because the vet, the receptionist and the assistants were going mad for him. One asked me how I was dealing with Precious' death (the last time she saw him was wrapped in a brown bag and frozen). I told her it was going well, and with Patch in the picture was looking better. They all thought he resembled Precious (though not quite as big but more furry). I had sent them some cookies when he died with a letter thanking each and every one of them for caring for him all his life.
Precious used to do the hissy-fit/growly thing on regular visits but toward the end of his life was deathly quiet, which was another indicator something was terribly wrong. Patches just sits there and lets them do whatever they need to. He didn't even flinch when they took a stool sample!
They do everything they can to help our little ones survive, and I can't thank them enough on behalf of all of the animals that were in my life too briefly!
Lisa
Precious used to do the hissy-fit/growly thing on regular visits but toward the end of his life was deathly quiet, which was another indicator something was terribly wrong. Patches just sits there and lets them do whatever they need to. He didn't even flinch when they took a stool sample!
They do everything they can to help our little ones survive, and I can't thank them enough on behalf of all of the animals that were in my life too briefly!
Lisa
[quote]Patches just sits there and lets them do whatever they need to. He didn't even flinch when they took a stool sample!
I assure you that your Patches will quickly become a house favorite! These are always the ones we would get so attached to from the get go! When you deal with so many 
grumpy furbabies in your day, it is SOOO refreshing to get one that is like your Patch ! I hope he brings you many years of love and happiness and thank you for showing your vet staff the appreciation they so deserve ....
grumpy furbabies in your day, it is SOOO refreshing to get one that is like your Patch ! I hope he brings you many years of love and happiness and thank you for showing your vet staff the appreciation they so deserve ....
IT US GOOD TO HEAR ABOUT HOW OUR VETS FEEL WHEN OR PETS DIE. I WAS SO WRAPPED UP IN MYSELF THE DAY RAGGS WAS PTS THAT I ONLY NOTICED AFTERWARDS HOW QUITE MY VET WAS HE HAD BEEN CARING FOR HIM FOR 16YRS AND IT WAS UNTIL DAYS LATER THAT I REALIZED THAT HE WAS HURTING TOO. WE HAD GONE THRU SO MANY MEDICAL THING WITH RAGGS OVER THE YEARS SEERAL SURGERIES THYROID CANCER KINDEY STONES SURGERY AND HE GAVE HIM AS GOOD CARE AS IF IT WAS MY MOM. WE ARE QUICK TO BLAME WHEN WE ARE HURTING AND INDEED I GUESS SOME SITUATIOS ARE NOT GOOD BUT MY EXPERIENCE WAS GREAT AND I CANNOT THAT MY VET AND HIS WONDERFUL PERSONEL FOR ALL THE YEARS OF COMPASSIONATE CARE
JOANNE(RAGGSIE mOM)
JOANNE(RAGGSIE mOM)
Lisa,
I also am very grateful for your posting. During the years I have gone thru alot of vets in the town in which I live. I kept hearing about my present vet from all kinds of people and even ones who did not have animals. Dobbsie was about eight months old and was scheduled for neutering the next morning. For some reason the vet I had and myself were not communicating really well so I cancelled the appointment and switched vets. That was 1987 and I never looked back. My present vet is a wonderful caring person who loves my babies. When Dugan was pts I saw him brush a tear away, as he did with Dobbsie in 2004. Our dog, Darby, was pts in 2001 and I sent a picture and a note, as I have done with all of my babies, to him and his staff thanking them for all the years of love and understanding that they have shown all of us. For the longest time he used to tell us that his picture of Darby was the only one he had in his personal office, now he has two. When we found out Darby had cancer he researched, on his own time, experimental treatments, and got Darby into one of them. Darby was the sweetest dog and always tolerated her treatments without any fuss. I should have behaved so well. I can't help but feel sorry for him when he has to give me bad news as I do not take it well at all. He has always been there for us over the years with any problems we might have and goes the extra miles to help all of our furbabies. I only wish he could clone himself so he could never be out of town.
Many years ago I applied for a job with a vet and it was down to me and one other girl. The vet had us each work a half a day to see which one was best suited for the job. After my four hours I left in tears and said I was withdrawing myself as I could not do the job. I was way to emotional and I take my hat off to those professional in the vets office. They should be loving and caring but with a bit of detachment so they can do their jobs.
The day that Dugan was pts the last thing my vet said was "Take your time. Stay as long as you need. Never mind stopping at the desk, you are family and we will mail you the papers." That meant a great deal to me as he only had 2 exam rooms and it was a busy Saturday morning for him. He also allowed us to run up a very large bill. I wish we all had the kind of vet that I am fortunate enough to have.
Dugan's
Mom
I also am very grateful for your posting. During the years I have gone thru alot of vets in the town in which I live. I kept hearing about my present vet from all kinds of people and even ones who did not have animals. Dobbsie was about eight months old and was scheduled for neutering the next morning. For some reason the vet I had and myself were not communicating really well so I cancelled the appointment and switched vets. That was 1987 and I never looked back. My present vet is a wonderful caring person who loves my babies. When Dugan was pts I saw him brush a tear away, as he did with Dobbsie in 2004. Our dog, Darby, was pts in 2001 and I sent a picture and a note, as I have done with all of my babies, to him and his staff thanking them for all the years of love and understanding that they have shown all of us. For the longest time he used to tell us that his picture of Darby was the only one he had in his personal office, now he has two. When we found out Darby had cancer he researched, on his own time, experimental treatments, and got Darby into one of them. Darby was the sweetest dog and always tolerated her treatments without any fuss. I should have behaved so well. I can't help but feel sorry for him when he has to give me bad news as I do not take it well at all. He has always been there for us over the years with any problems we might have and goes the extra miles to help all of our furbabies. I only wish he could clone himself so he could never be out of town.
Many years ago I applied for a job with a vet and it was down to me and one other girl. The vet had us each work a half a day to see which one was best suited for the job. After my four hours I left in tears and said I was withdrawing myself as I could not do the job. I was way to emotional and I take my hat off to those professional in the vets office. They should be loving and caring but with a bit of detachment so they can do their jobs.
The day that Dugan was pts the last thing my vet said was "Take your time. Stay as long as you need. Never mind stopping at the desk, you are family and we will mail you the papers." That meant a great deal to me as he only had 2 exam rooms and it was a busy Saturday morning for him. He also allowed us to run up a very large bill. I wish we all had the kind of vet that I am fortunate enough to have.
Dugan's
Mom
Joanne --
I think your vet understood what you were going through with Raggs. They don't expect to be thanked every single time you visit their office but know that what you were going through prevented you from saying much. They know what turmoil pet owners go through on nearly every visit to their office, for routine visits or surgeries. They go to seminars about that; you can probably tell if your vet is trained enough. Send your vet a card soon and just thank them for everything they did! I know they will understand!
Krissyo --
I don't know how you did that! I couldn't have lasted over 30 minutes. I'm too soft-hearted! I would have dissolved into a puddle on the floor if I had seen an emergency or a pet owner bring their baby for the last visit. Vets do have that emotional detachment, they have to (like a people doctor does). I know it's just as difficult for them if the client had been coming to their office since he was a kitten, in Precious' case this was so. If he had waited just one more day then my vet could have been the one to administer the injection but it happened on a Sunday, and I know God takes our babies when it's their time (and it was too close for Precious), but I wish it could have happened at my vet's. All things happen for a reason though and things like that are beyond our control. I call my vet's office and give them reports; I did this when Precious was with me. Now Patches is the one with the reports. (I thought it was so sweet when they suggested Precious as a middle name for Patches this past weekend! So Patches Precious it is. Precious' middle name was Adorable because he was both to me!)
Lisa
I think your vet understood what you were going through with Raggs. They don't expect to be thanked every single time you visit their office but know that what you were going through prevented you from saying much. They know what turmoil pet owners go through on nearly every visit to their office, for routine visits or surgeries. They go to seminars about that; you can probably tell if your vet is trained enough. Send your vet a card soon and just thank them for everything they did! I know they will understand!
Krissyo --
I don't know how you did that! I couldn't have lasted over 30 minutes. I'm too soft-hearted! I would have dissolved into a puddle on the floor if I had seen an emergency or a pet owner bring their baby for the last visit. Vets do have that emotional detachment, they have to (like a people doctor does). I know it's just as difficult for them if the client had been coming to their office since he was a kitten, in Precious' case this was so. If he had waited just one more day then my vet could have been the one to administer the injection but it happened on a Sunday, and I know God takes our babies when it's their time (and it was too close for Precious), but I wish it could have happened at my vet's. All things happen for a reason though and things like that are beyond our control. I call my vet's office and give them reports; I did this when Precious was with me. Now Patches is the one with the reports. (I thought it was so sweet when they suggested Precious as a middle name for Patches this past weekend! So Patches Precious it is. Precious' middle name was Adorable because he was both to me!)
Lisa
Thank you for reminding me to do something I was meaning to do since Kitty left me last week. I need to write a thank you card to the clinic I took Kitty to on her last day with us. Dr Gailen and the techs were SO sympathetic and understanding during Kitty's short stay with them that day. It was only the 2nd time I had brought her to this vet's office, and the first time she had seen Dr Gailen, but she is the only one my babies will ever see from now on. During my convulsive crying and sobbing, the tech stood next to me and silently rubbed her hand on my shoulder, just let me cry and comforted me. Even through my tears and grief, I appreciated her being there for me so much. My husband was on his way but Kitty had already passed, and I had nobody but them to comfort me. I had never met Dr Gailen before but she gave me a hug and told me how sorry she was and how she wished there had been more she could have done. She didn't charge me for the oxygen or the steroid shot Kitty was administered right before she died either. They were so wonderful. When we're blinded by our own grief it's hard to recognize when others are hurting too, but these people made it clear that they cared and made us feel like family on our 2nd visit. They sent me a lovely card too, with hand written sympathies and a Rainbow Bridge Story Thanks again for reminding me to recognize their kindness.
Thanks again for reminding me to recognize their kindness.
I hate to be the one 'dissenter' here, but my feelings have to come out, too. I've found this thread to be really depressing because all these wonderful things have not been either mine nor my husband's experience, at least not with our local vet in the city close to us. Our distance homeopathic vet was MUCH better - called me twice even after Nissa passed and it's looking like he's waived the fees for our many, final appointments in the last week of her life....but even he's not sent a card yet and we don't know if it's just the slow mail, or not. While we did get a plant and card from the local clinic we'd been with since 1992 or 3, what our vet wrote was almost identical to what she wrote for Nissa's brother's card, 6.5 years ago...and his card took a MONTH to get to us! We now have to wonder if all her cards to grieving parents are the same. For both deaths, she was unavailable to do the euthanasia. She's not called, nor did she call us in the last 2 days of Nissa's dying to offer either any input, or just to say 'sorry'. She's more often NOT available than is, especially when there's a crisis, as she books up so rapidly because she IS technically and specialty-wise, in high demand, and very knowledgeable. And she goes away a LOT. There is no one else here that does all the things she's trained in.....but we all sure pay for it, in more ways than one. All that training does little when she's too busy to follow through with things. The ONLY reason we stuck with her after she got so busy was because no one else knows anywhere near as much as she does, and sometimes, that WAS worth it....but in retrospect, not enough times.
Unlike some, she is actually the owner of her clinic, and she charges $260/hour now, whether it's for conventional or alternative treatment ( they used to charge more for alternative ). Even the other vets and others I've talked to in many fields who I've mentioned this to, can't believe she's charging so much. Our distance vet, who met her at one of his own training seminars, thought she was "rather cold", and he's right. I've NEVER seen her emotional whatsoever ( except to get really defensive and frosty should anyone make a complaint, about either her OR her staff ) and she's never offered us any warm consolation, no matter the cir%%stances. She's just technical, period. So I highly doubt she ever cries when one of her patients dies. Even when recounting some of her own animals' passings to me, she's been matter-of-fact.
Her staff is something else, too. With high turn-over, we've noticed through the years that while some start out all touchy-feely and empathetic, in a short while they become just as cool, and often even grumpy and impatient and next time we'd go, they'd have a bunch of newcomers. They're obviously doing something very wrong in this clinic. These comparisons were made even more apparent this year, when we had to start visiting other specialists due to Nissa's conditions. THEY were warm and much more helpful and we were so dismayed ( yet delighted, of course, with this new care ) to see such a marked contrast.....so were actually GLAD to have to be dealing with other docs and their staff instead. So the continual frustrations we've been saddled with over the years did NOT help with our kids' care, as then I'D be less able to cope, feeling like I didn't have enough medical support here.
And sadly, when we were newly-moved here years ago, we actually saw some even WORSE vets in the area. Before we'd even chosen a new one ( because we couldn't even find a decent one ), I'd had to take Sabin quickly to someone, as his ear was bleeding internally and he needed emergency care. Unknowingly, I took him to someone in town, not the city, who I later found out is a raging alcoholic who has actually killed, through sheer negligence, some local pets, one of which was a neighbour's!! Yet he is still been allowed to practise and is also highly involved in chuckwagon races. While living here, I've heard story after story of deficient care from far too many people, some of whom also have medical training of one sort or another and who, when questioning their vet's reasoning for something, have been quite alarmed at the lack of thought put into their diagnosis, and when they were forced by the guardian to rethink it, there was a better resolution to the animal's problem and w/o as many tests and costs involved. It really made ME stop and think!
So as for OUR vet, one of the few reliefs we've had is knowing that we'll never have to deal with these people at that clinic ever again. If Nissa's history hadn't been so long and complicated ( her file was several inches thick even a few years ago ) and we'd been able to find someone else locally who did at least SOME of the same types of treatment, we would have switched long ago. This was why we changed her primary care to our distance vet, with the local one working as only part of the team, an arrangement that I'd first made certain would be acceptable to our local vet. Perhaps this is also why we weren't treated as well as we should have been....we weren't spending the bulk of our money there anymore. Though I didn't want to believe she could be that heartless, that's what my husband definitely thought. But after 14 years and probably around $15,000 spent with her, to still get such minimally-caring treatment when our girl was dying and afterwards........it's just not right. And it's not like we're living in some backwater woods....we're minutes away from one of the largest, most affluent cities in Canada, which is where our local vet was.
I'm very glad many of you have had good, ethical and caring treatment for your babies. And I do know of some others, at least in the other major city in our Province, who also have been so blessed, but for us, it's been quite a different story.
Unlike some, she is actually the owner of her clinic, and she charges $260/hour now, whether it's for conventional or alternative treatment ( they used to charge more for alternative ). Even the other vets and others I've talked to in many fields who I've mentioned this to, can't believe she's charging so much. Our distance vet, who met her at one of his own training seminars, thought she was "rather cold", and he's right. I've NEVER seen her emotional whatsoever ( except to get really defensive and frosty should anyone make a complaint, about either her OR her staff ) and she's never offered us any warm consolation, no matter the cir%%stances. She's just technical, period. So I highly doubt she ever cries when one of her patients dies. Even when recounting some of her own animals' passings to me, she's been matter-of-fact.
Her staff is something else, too. With high turn-over, we've noticed through the years that while some start out all touchy-feely and empathetic, in a short while they become just as cool, and often even grumpy and impatient and next time we'd go, they'd have a bunch of newcomers. They're obviously doing something very wrong in this clinic. These comparisons were made even more apparent this year, when we had to start visiting other specialists due to Nissa's conditions. THEY were warm and much more helpful and we were so dismayed ( yet delighted, of course, with this new care ) to see such a marked contrast.....so were actually GLAD to have to be dealing with other docs and their staff instead. So the continual frustrations we've been saddled with over the years did NOT help with our kids' care, as then I'D be less able to cope, feeling like I didn't have enough medical support here.
And sadly, when we were newly-moved here years ago, we actually saw some even WORSE vets in the area. Before we'd even chosen a new one ( because we couldn't even find a decent one ), I'd had to take Sabin quickly to someone, as his ear was bleeding internally and he needed emergency care. Unknowingly, I took him to someone in town, not the city, who I later found out is a raging alcoholic who has actually killed, through sheer negligence, some local pets, one of which was a neighbour's!! Yet he is still been allowed to practise and is also highly involved in chuckwagon races. While living here, I've heard story after story of deficient care from far too many people, some of whom also have medical training of one sort or another and who, when questioning their vet's reasoning for something, have been quite alarmed at the lack of thought put into their diagnosis, and when they were forced by the guardian to rethink it, there was a better resolution to the animal's problem and w/o as many tests and costs involved. It really made ME stop and think!
So as for OUR vet, one of the few reliefs we've had is knowing that we'll never have to deal with these people at that clinic ever again. If Nissa's history hadn't been so long and complicated ( her file was several inches thick even a few years ago ) and we'd been able to find someone else locally who did at least SOME of the same types of treatment, we would have switched long ago. This was why we changed her primary care to our distance vet, with the local one working as only part of the team, an arrangement that I'd first made certain would be acceptable to our local vet. Perhaps this is also why we weren't treated as well as we should have been....we weren't spending the bulk of our money there anymore. Though I didn't want to believe she could be that heartless, that's what my husband definitely thought. But after 14 years and probably around $15,000 spent with her, to still get such minimally-caring treatment when our girl was dying and afterwards........it's just not right. And it's not like we're living in some backwater woods....we're minutes away from one of the largest, most affluent cities in Canada, which is where our local vet was.
I'm very glad many of you have had good, ethical and caring treatment for your babies. And I do know of some others, at least in the other major city in our Province, who also have been so blessed, but for us, it's been quite a different story.
Fk's Mom,
Having already known to some extent the difficulties you have had with vets, I'm saddened to hear just how bad it really was for you. Not having a good vet that you can trust is like being without a limb as far as I'm concerned!
The diffficulties you had with what I believe to be your local vet sound like they are due to a vet who is trying to accomodate well over what she is able to handle. She sounds as though she has gotten herself so tied up with doing too much that she is unable to afford everyone the quality of care they deserve. It also sounds as though she has gotten herself so bogged down that she no longer has room for any emotion or empathy for her patients...that's just not gonna fly in that profession. [quote]Our distance homeopathic vet was MUCH better - called me twice even after Nissa passed and it's looking like he's waived the fees for our many, final appointments in the last week of her life....but even he's not sent a card yet and we don't know if it's just the slow mail, or not.
Having already known to some extent the difficulties you have had with vets, I'm saddened to hear just how bad it really was for you. Not having a good vet that you can trust is like being without a limb as far as I'm concerned!
The diffficulties you had with what I believe to be your local vet sound like they are due to a vet who is trying to accomodate well over what she is able to handle. She sounds as though she has gotten herself so tied up with doing too much that she is unable to afford everyone the quality of care they deserve. It also sounds as though she has gotten herself so bogged down that she no longer has room for any emotion or empathy for her patients...that's just not gonna fly in that profession. [quote]Our distance homeopathic vet was MUCH better - called me twice even after Nissa passed and it's looking like he's waived the fees for our many, final appointments in the last week of her life....but even he's not sent a card yet and we don't know if it's just the slow mail, or not.
If your vet has taken the time to call you personally (twice even), and has (what seems to be) waived the fees, then I wouldn't worry about a card! That is far more than a lot of vets do! I would rather have a personal phone call than a card anyways...it's so much more personal and that may be his style ![quote]While we did get a plant and card from the local clinic we'd been with since 1992 or 3, what our vet wrote was almost identical to what she wrote for Nissa's brother's card, 6.5 years ago...and his card took a MONTH to get to us! We now have to wonder if all her cards to grieving parents are the same.
![quote]While we did get a plant and card from the local clinic we'd been with since 1992 or 3, what our vet wrote was almost identical to what she wrote for Nissa's brother's card, 6.5 years ago...and his card took a MONTH to get to us! We now have to wonder if all her cards to grieving parents are the same. They probably are. At the clinic I worked at, most of our cards were the same to everyone (with the exception of a select few that were very dear to our hearts), but what is important is the thought. Some clinics don't do diddly squat but collect their money and send you on their way, so if they make any effort to aknowledge your grief, I would try to accept their good will....as much as we would like to think otherwise, we must remember that our furbaby is only one of many that they must find time to care for, so try not to expect too much from them .
(It sounds to me that your local vet was just a bad seed in general, though. Having read your description of her practice, I'm surprised (knowing you
) that you were able to continue using her! I would have had to take my 'thick as a phonebook' record and find another vet who loved to read in their spare time 
(sorry..a little humor there!))[quote] Perhaps this is also why we weren't treated as well as we should have been....we weren't spending the bulk of our money there anymore. Though I didn't want to believe she could be that heartless, that's what my husband definitely thought. But after 14 years and probably around $15,000 spent with her, to still get such minimally-caring treatment when our girl was dying and afterwards........it's just not right.
. (It sounds to me that your local vet was just a bad seed in general, though. Having read your description of her practice, I'm surprised (knowing you
) that you were able to continue using her! I would have had to take my 'thick as a phonebook' record and find another vet who loved to read in their spare time (sorry..a little humor there!))[quote] Perhaps this is also why we weren't treated as well as we should have been....we weren't spending the bulk of our money there anymore. Though I didn't want to believe she could be that heartless, that's what my husband definitely thought. But after 14 years and probably around $15,000 spent with her, to still get such minimally-caring treatment when our girl was dying and afterwards........it's just not right.I hate to admit it, but it does sound as though this vet must have been a little money hungry to even stretch herself that thin to begin with...so it is shamefully possible .
I'm sorry you have had such terrible experiences with your vets, but as with any profession, there will definitely be bad seeds, I just hate that you have had to deal with them. [quote]And sadly, when we were newly-moved here years ago, we actually saw some even WORSE vets in the area. Before we'd even chosen a new one ( because we couldn't even find a decent one ), I'd had to take Sabin quickly to someone, as his ear was bleeding internally and he needed emergency care. Unknowingly, I took him to someone in town, not the city, who I later found out is a raging alcoholic who has actually killed, through sheer negligence, some local pets
.I'm sorry you have had such terrible experiences with your vets, but as with any profession, there will definitely be bad seeds, I just hate that you have had to deal with them. [quote]And sadly, when we were newly-moved here years ago, we actually saw some even WORSE vets in the area. Before we'd even chosen a new one ( because we couldn't even find a decent one ), I'd had to take Sabin quickly to someone, as his ear was bleeding internally and he needed emergency care. Unknowingly, I took him to someone in town, not the city, who I later found out is a raging alcoholic who has actually killed, through sheer negligence, some local pets
I had the same exact experience! When my fmily first moved here (this was 20 years ago), and was looking for a good vet, we found one that was very impressive! He had all that fancy state of the art equipment, yadda, yadda...we later found out he too was a raging alcoholic with some mental issues to top it all off, and had also had animals die under 'questionable' cir%%stances! We were horrified! Thankfully we had only been there for regular exams, but it is so scary to not know what goes on behind the scenes no matter how good they 'appear' to be! Thank God I have the luxury to know (through other friends in the field) what goes on at nearly every clinic around here, so I know which ones to steer people clear of!
In the end, what really matters is that Nissa got top notch care and she lived 19 long years as a testiment to that . After all, she had the best darn nurse around !
hang in there...
Kim
In the end, what really matters is that
Nissa got top notch care and she lived 19 long years as a testiment to that . After all, she had the best darn nurse around !hang in there...
Kim
Thank you so much, Kim, for all of that .....okay, NOW I'm crying!!!! And yes, good point about our distance vet....a call IS better and he was trying so hard to help me calm down. I guess I just wanted something written to keep as a memento for Nissa's memory box....and especially from this doc, as he's so eloquent and compassionate. And mind you, I've not done so well myself, as I haven't even finished all my thank-you cards to everyone yet! ( but I'm trying to cut myself some slack, since I'm the one grieving ) My H is so disgusted by the local clinic that he said I shouldn't even bother sending them a thank-you note, but I'm pretty sure I still will, regardless, as it's not like they didn't do ANYTHING for us over the years.
That makes me think of something, though. If you ever had the time, maybe you could make a list of exactly what guardians should be looking for when trying to find a vet....like an insider's view of what might not be so obvious to many of us? I can't think of a better way to get rid of all these poor vets than a gradual lack of business. Your story of the one really bad one there is equally as horrid as the one here........shudder.....
And yes, I enjoyed your wry comment on finding a vet who likes to read alot. That was one of our concerns.....that no one WOULD take the time, and she'd suffer for it, as the busiest practises here seem to be the ones with the better docs.
And thanks for saying I was "the best darn nurse" around for our darling girl......okay, crying again......it helps to alleviate some of that persistent and self-imposed guilt that continues to jab away at me despite any reason and logic. As you know, nothing was ever perfect enough for my kids, but I'll just GO with that, at least for now. I guess I done pretty good, keeping Nissa alive and happy, then at least content and still so hugely-loved, for close to 20 years....despite all the frustrations on the medical side. But then, she was SOOOO worth it all.... and that's what kept me fighting for her.
.....okay, NOW I'm crying!!!! And yes, good point about our distance vet....a call IS better and he was trying so hard to help me calm down. I guess I just wanted something written to keep as a memento for Nissa's memory box....and especially from this doc, as he's so eloquent and compassionate. And mind you, I've not done so well myself, as I haven't even finished all my thank-you cards to everyone yet! ( but I'm trying to cut myself some slack, since I'm the one grieving ) My H is so disgusted by the local clinic that he said I shouldn't even bother sending them a thank-you note, but I'm pretty sure I still will, regardless, as it's not like they didn't do ANYTHING for us over the years. That makes me think of something, though. If you ever had the time, maybe you could make a list of exactly what guardians should be looking for when trying to find a vet....like an insider's view of what might not be so obvious to many of us? I can't think of a better way to get rid of all these poor vets than a gradual lack of business. Your story of the one really bad one there is equally as horrid as the one here........shudder.....
And yes, I enjoyed your wry comment on finding a vet who likes to read alot.
That was one of our concerns.....that no one WOULD take the time, and she'd suffer for it, as the busiest practises here seem to be the ones with the better docs.And thanks for saying I was "the best darn nurse" around for our darling girl......okay, crying again......it helps to alleviate some of that persistent and self-imposed guilt that continues to jab away at me despite any reason and logic. As you know, nothing was ever perfect enough for my kids, but I'll just GO with that, at least for now. I guess I done pretty good, keeping Nissa alive and happy, then at least content and still so hugely-loved, for close to 20 years....despite all the frustrations on the medical side. But then, she was SOOOO worth it all....
and that's what kept me fighting for her.
It's been 3 weeks since I had my best friend "put down" here in Tulsa. I've been to 4 clinics here over the years. We've been using the one, where I took Nickels for his final visit, for about 10 years. We have never seen the same vet at any of these clinics. Turnover rate is high.
They asked me while I was in shock if I wanted his body after they killed him. I couldn't think! If they had any compassion could they have not stored his body for 24 hours until I could review my options. Now I have to live with them memory of "throwing him away" like a pile of garbage. Cards? Flowers? Phone Calls? No way! Not here in the Bible belt! They're in it for the money and don't let the door hit you on the way out. I am grieving so bad and not even a phone call or card. YET when it's time to vaccinate ($$$ could possibly tack on some money from lab work that didn't need to be done-yes this happened last year), there is always a postcard from all of these clinics we've been to.
I will not be able to have another pet. That is a luxery I can no longer afford. I am unable to feed, vaccinate, and supply the load of cash that these "care givers" need so bad. Even after 10 years they would not even consider a payment plan for other options. If your animal is suffering due to inability to pay in full, they have no problem suggesting that you have it killed or take it home and let it slowly die. And at the end of the day they jump into their expensive sports car and drive to their high dollar domicile and have no problem going to sleep.
Sorry to rant but I miss Nickels so much. He was the best friend I ever had and everyone is treating his memory as if he never existed. I am still not able to look at any of his photos knowing how I disposed of him like yesterdays trash.
Michelle
They asked me while I was in shock if I wanted his body after they killed him. I couldn't think! If they had any compassion could they have not stored his body for 24 hours until I could review my options. Now I have to live with them memory of "throwing him away" like a pile of garbage. Cards? Flowers? Phone Calls? No way! Not here in the Bible belt! They're in it for the money and don't let the door hit you on the way out. I am grieving so bad and not even a phone call or card. YET when it's time to vaccinate ($$$ could possibly tack on some money from lab work that didn't need to be done-yes this happened last year), there is always a postcard from all of these clinics we've been to.
I will not be able to have another pet. That is a luxery I can no longer afford. I am unable to feed, vaccinate, and supply the load of cash that these "care givers" need so bad. Even after 10 years they would not even consider a payment plan for other options. If your animal is suffering due to inability to pay in full, they have no problem suggesting that you have it killed or take it home and let it slowly die. And at the end of the day they jump into their expensive sports car and drive to their high dollar domicile and have no problem going to sleep.
Sorry to rant but I miss Nickels so much. He was the best friend I ever had and everyone is treating his memory as if he never existed. I am still not able to look at any of his photos knowing how I disposed of him like yesterdays trash.
Michelle
Michelle,
I am so sorry that happened to you. I live in the Bible Belt as well but my vet was far more compassionate. Why didn't they work with you on arrangements? They should have if they were a competent vet. Almost all are respectful of the pet AND the owner. I think you were treated very badly; you should demand a refund and ask why you were treated that way!
Nickels was a beauty and lucky to have you as a mum. He knows you were there and you honour his memory. I'm just sorry that the vet didn't have more sense to help you in every way possible.
Please take care and know he's in a better place now, waiting for you someday!
Lisa
I am so sorry that happened to you. I live in the Bible Belt as well but my vet was far more compassionate. Why didn't they work with you on arrangements? They should have if they were a competent vet. Almost all are respectful of the pet AND the owner. I think you were treated very badly; you should demand a refund and ask why you were treated that way!
Nickels was a beauty and lucky to have you as a mum. He knows you were there and you honour his memory. I'm just sorry that the vet didn't have more sense to help you in every way possible.
Please take care and know he's in a better place now, waiting for you someday!
Lisa
Michelle,
My heart breaks for you! Unfortunately, I know the type of which you speak....lots of those kind here, too.
But those of us here at LS won't treat Nickels' memory as if he never existed!! We're here to try and make up for all those uncaring, insensitive types in the world. I have found, even with human death, most folks aren't there for you when you need them and with animals it can be even more so. I had a friend who had a home euthanasia and has never gotten over the fact that the vet put her cat in a plastic garbage bag and tossed her into the back of her truck after she got out the door. ( this was in Montreal ) She was stunned, and couldn't move out of her shock in time to run downstairs and retrieve her cat. She's angry to this day.
I, too, would suggest taking some of that anger and speaking ( as calmly as possible ) to the vet or manager of the clinic. At least expressing your problem might help dispel some of that, as it's not YOU who should end up taking on any inappropriate guilt for the results of such callous practise. It might interest you to know, though, that even with human death, many ins***utions like to be able to send the body off w/i 24 hrs. and they often hassle the bereft in order to do so. ( this happened with my Mum's body )
Such is much of the world, sadly, and thus the need for grief boards, for all types of loss. I know, first-hand, how lack of compassion and empathy can worsen one's grief to the nth degree, so you have all my sympathies on that count alone. And for Nickels' parting.....you have even more! He's a beautiful cat, btw.
And you needn't feel badly about 'ranting', as that's what grief's all about much of the time.
My heart breaks for you! Unfortunately, I know the type of which you speak....lots of those kind here, too.
But those of us here at LS won't treat Nickels' memory as if he never existed!! We're here to try and make up for all those uncaring, insensitive types in the world. I have found, even with human death, most folks aren't there for you when you need them and with animals it can be even more so. I had a friend who had a home euthanasia and has never gotten over the fact that the vet put her cat in a plastic garbage bag and tossed her into the back of her truck after she got out the door. ( this was in Montreal ) She was stunned, and couldn't move out of her shock in time to run downstairs and retrieve her cat. She's angry to this day.
I, too, would suggest taking some of that anger and speaking ( as calmly as possible ) to the vet or manager of the clinic. At least expressing your problem might help dispel some of that, as it's not YOU who should end up taking on any inappropriate guilt for the results of such callous practise. It might interest you to know, though, that even with human death, many ins***utions like to be able to send the body off w/i 24 hrs. and they often hassle the bereft in order to do so. ( this happened with my Mum's body )
Such is much of the world, sadly, and thus the need for grief boards, for all types of loss. I know, first-hand, how lack of compassion and empathy can worsen one's grief to the nth degree, so you have all my sympathies on that count alone. And for Nickels' parting.....you have even more! He's a beautiful cat, btw.
And you needn't feel badly about 'ranting', as that's what grief's all about much of the time.
Hello everyone.
I guess the world works in mysterious ways and things happen for a reason.. the reason I say that is because I think is amazing that I came across this site that I never have seen before and just in the time that I need it.
First of all I just want to tell everyone how very sorry I am about the losses they are suffering.. you all sound like such very loving people and I hate so much that you are hurting right now. I am especially very sorry for those of you who have mentioned bad veterinary experiences.. especially you Michelle.. Nickels is such a beautiful kitty.. he looks just like my Robert.
SO the reason I am very happy to find this site is because I am a vet and I am just feeling so bad lately about some losses of my patients... and how sad their families are. Just last night I had a very rough night ( albeit not nearly as rough as my patients or their families).. I am exhausted but I jsut can't sleep becuase I am so sad. There was an especially lovely German Shepherd named Chancellor who came in with a GDV ( twisted stomach) who I was optimistic about doing well... goes to show you that you never know because when I performed his surgery I found that his stomach had ruptured and there was only 25% of the stomach that was viable and stomach contents were all through their abdomen. SO I had to tell his people he needed to be euthanized( he could not be saved).. very awful.. also had a 4 month old puppy that presented in a coma because she ate her owners Naproxen and Baclofen, a muscle relaxant ( the owner has MS) and I am not sure if she will make it. I see this kind of stuff a lot... and I KNOW it is my job.. and i really do love it. but sometimes it just really really gets to me. But I will let you know.. I ALWAYS.. no matter how tired I am or how busy.. I always make sure to give peopel the time they deserve and make sure they know about their options for grief support and that they get a card. I wish I could call everyone and be even MORE personal... but sometimes I have 14-15 hour days and I euthanize 5 plus a day ( just sometimes thank god) and it is really hard to keep up. Hahah.. I find myself getting behind a lot just trying to write up reports and call people about tests and all the stuff we have to do.... well.. I am not complaining.. I guess I am just letting loose.
But my MAIN reason for wr***ing this is that I want to let YOU guys know I really appreciate what you have said about vets.. because sometimes I feel like I just dont do enough.. or I wish there were 3 of me.. or I wish I could just make the pain go away for everyone, and i wish everyone KNEW how much I really cared.. I sit here now crying writing this because I am just so sad for CHancellor and his family... but thanks to you ( and my Dog NAtalie sitting here and supporting meI guess I can persevere. Thanks everyone.. and again.. to those of you who have had a bad experience.. believe me.. there REALLY are vets who care.
Please take care everyone.
I guess the world works in mysterious ways and things happen for a reason.. the reason I say that is because I think is amazing that I came across this site that I never have seen before and just in the time that I need it.
First of all I just want to tell everyone how very sorry I am about the losses they are suffering.. you all sound like such very loving people and I hate so much that you are hurting right now. I am especially very sorry for those of you who have mentioned bad veterinary experiences.. especially you Michelle.. Nickels is such a beautiful kitty.. he looks just like my Robert.
SO the reason I am very happy to find this site is because I am a vet and I am just feeling so bad lately about some losses of my patients... and how sad their families are. Just last night I had a very rough night ( albeit not nearly as rough as my patients or their families).. I am exhausted but I jsut can't sleep becuase I am so sad. There was an especially lovely German Shepherd named Chancellor who came in with a GDV ( twisted stomach) who I was optimistic about doing well... goes to show you that you never know because when I performed his surgery I found that his stomach had ruptured and there was only 25% of the stomach that was viable and stomach contents were all through their abdomen. SO I had to tell his people he needed to be euthanized( he could not be saved).. very awful.. also had a 4 month old puppy that presented in a coma because she ate her owners Naproxen and Baclofen, a muscle relaxant ( the owner has MS) and I am not sure if she will make it. I see this kind of stuff a lot... and I KNOW it is my job.. and i really do love it. but sometimes it just really really gets to me. But I will let you know.. I ALWAYS.. no matter how tired I am or how busy.. I always make sure to give peopel the time they deserve and make sure they know about their options for grief support and that they get a card. I wish I could call everyone and be even MORE personal... but sometimes I have 14-15 hour days and I euthanize 5 plus a day ( just sometimes thank god) and it is really hard to keep up. Hahah.. I find myself getting behind a lot just trying to write up reports and call people about tests and all the stuff we have to do.... well.. I am not complaining.. I guess I am just letting loose.
But my MAIN reason for wr***ing this is that I want to let YOU guys know I really appreciate what you have said about vets.. because sometimes I feel like I just dont do enough.. or I wish there were 3 of me.. or I wish I could just make the pain go away for everyone, and i wish everyone KNEW how much I really cared.. I sit here now crying writing this because I am just so sad for CHancellor and his family... but thanks to you ( and my Dog NAtalie sitting here and supporting me
I guess I can persevere. Thanks everyone.. and again.. to those of you who have had a bad experience.. believe me.. there REALLY are vets who care.Please take care everyone.
Thank you for sharing that! I think vets do a tremendous job with the pets and their owners, in times of routine visits and otherwise. They try to keep things calm in a crisis and do a brill job. Mine certainly did. Even the vet techs at the emergency clinic were great the three times I took Precious (the third being the final time).
I can only imagine what you feel when you find one that's critical and the owner didn't even suspect it. Or if the animal overdosed on the owner's meds as you described (it happens more than you know, especially in the case of elderly owners).
Even though you do what you can, know that it is appreciated and keep doing what you do, so many depend on it!
Lisa
I can only imagine what you feel when you find one that's critical and the owner didn't even suspect it. Or if the animal overdosed on the owner's meds as you described (it happens more than you know, especially in the case of elderly owners).
Even though you do what you can, know that it is appreciated and keep doing what you do, so many depend on it!
Lisa
Dear mcbvmd
Thanks so much for writing. I had the same vet for about 25 yrs and he gave the most superior care and I am sure that most vets do. I am a RN and worked in an office setting for 36yrs and I do know it is hard to get all the things
done we would like to do because you are swamped with the have to do, but I am sure that the most of you are very compassionate or you would not be in that profession. When 2mos ago I had to pts my Raggs I only thought about my pain and afterwards wondered why my vet was so quiet and a few days after it came to my like a light bulb that he was hurting also
because this is the dog he pulled through many serious illness and surgery and now he had to say good by. He sent me the sweetest card that said simply in memory of Raggs. I got him a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble and hope the book he gets will remind him of Raggs but like my patients I know you vets do not forget them you remember the traits each one had. I just want to thank you for sharing your thought and remember as my vet said first do no harm and when the time comes you help to ease them into the next world
Thanks again
Joanne(Raggs mom)
Thanks so much for writing. I had the same vet for about 25 yrs and he gave the most superior care and I am sure that most vets do. I am a RN and worked in an office setting for 36yrs and I do know it is hard to get all the things
done we would like to do because you are swamped with the have to do, but I am sure that the most of you are very compassionate or you would not be in that profession. When 2mos ago I had to pts my Raggs I only thought about my pain and afterwards wondered why my vet was so quiet and a few days after it came to my like a light bulb that he was hurting also
because this is the dog he pulled through many serious illness and surgery and now he had to say good by. He sent me the sweetest card that said simply in memory of Raggs. I got him a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble and hope the book he gets will remind him of Raggs but like my patients I know you vets do not forget them you remember the traits each one had. I just want to thank you for sharing your thought and remember as my vet said first do no harm and when the time comes you help to ease them into the next world
Thanks again
Joanne(Raggs mom)
mcbvmd, I also am glad that you posted here so that we could get an idea of what you go thru on the other side of the exam table. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to someone who brings animal in for what everyone thinks is something that is treatable, and to have to tell them that it is not. As I have said before, I truly feel bad for my vet as I do not take bad news in stride. I have probably spent more time crying at the vets office than any other place except for home. I also have been guilty of snapping at the staff in the vets office a couple of times, when my nerves have been on edge, BUT I have always called and apologized after an incident and no one have ever held it against me or my babies. They understood that I was hurting and fearful and only seeing things from my side. Once the "Voice of Reason" kicks in I am OK.
In January my vet was out of town and I had to see his associate. Dugan was losing weight and throwing up. Well, to make a long story short I was irritated with her as she did Xrays, barium and a few other tests which all came out negative until a month later when the thyroid test (which had been misplaced at the lab) came back elevated. In my mind, I thought why did we not wait to do the other tests after we got the results of the tyroid test? Now, looking back, I am so glad we did that because there was no cancer. Now, at least I know there was not anything that we missed in January and that makes it easier to live with.
Dugan's Mom
Krissyo
In January my vet was out of town and I had to see his associate. Dugan was losing weight and throwing up. Well, to make a long story short I was irritated with her as she did Xrays, barium and a few other tests which all came out negative until a month later when the thyroid test (which had been misplaced at the lab) came back elevated. In my mind, I thought why did we not wait to do the other tests after we got the results of the tyroid test? Now, looking back, I am so glad we did that because there was no cancer. Now, at least I know there was not anything that we missed in January and that makes it easier to live with.
Dugan's Mom
Krissyo
Thanks everyone... from my side I am feeling a little better.. And I hope that as days go by the weight on all of your hearts is lessening a bit.
ON a brighter note too.. the little puppy.. Jezzabel.. how appropriate..who came in in a coma because of eating her owner's meds.. is now being naughty, jumping around and chewing her catheter.. she goes home tomorrow.. YAYYYYYYYY!!!
And I hope that as days go by the weight on all of your hearts is lessening a bit. ON a brighter note too.. the little puppy.. Jezzabel.. how appropriate..who came in in a coma because of eating her owner's meds.. is now being naughty, jumping around and chewing her catheter.. she goes home tomorrow.. YAYYYYYYYY!!!
I don't know what I would do without this message board! I'm pushing 50 and my faith in people is not what it used to be. My Husband has been here since 1993 and Nickels and I moved out here from Nevada in 1999. He had the most wonderful vet in Henderson, NV. She was such a great vet. One day I took Nickels in for his check up and Dr. Trish was so sick. As she was looking him over he pulled his head up and looked deeply into her eyes, then licked her hand and looked back up at her. She started crying and said, "He knows I don't feel good and that bothers him!"
Each time we went to her, Nickels would sit patiently on the table. After a few visits he would crawl onto the scale on the counter and sit very still until she had his weight. He was always full of energy but when it came time for his vet visits he was calm and knew the routine. I've had several animals over the course of my life (I was raised on a farm). I've dealt with loss but, this is the hardest grieving I've ever done over a pet. He was so special to me that I used to say, "Hey you in the cat suit!" when I wanted his attention and he always responded.
A month before I took him to the vet we had an estranged brother and his wife at our house from New York for a week. I was so excited that my Husband had his Brother back after 25 years. They turned out to be the most horrible people I've ever had the displeasure of meeting but I was gracious the entire time no matter what. They are millionairs and they made us pay for almost everything. We took them to our regular diner and my sister-in-law picked a fight over bread with the waitress to get out of leaving a tip so we left one for them. She also threw several "tantrums" over everything. At the same time one of our best clients emailed me to let me know her cancer had come back and there was nothing they could do. She has at most 2 more months to live. If this wasn't enough towards the end of our visit with the in-laws, my tounge was developing canker soars from a cracked tooth. I said later it was God punishing me for lying so much to the relatives. "I love you guys so much!" was the type of phrases that came out of my mouth several times a day to keep the peace while they were here. Anyway, I had a bad infection that spread to the entire left side of my head, ear c&%^, and throat. It took the doctor and dentist 3 weeks to get it under control including 2 root c&%^s. By the time that was over is when I noticed Nickels wasn't feeling good. The last night he was with me he sat up on the bed and put his big old foot on my chest and looked deeply into my eyes as if trying to tell me something. I think he was saying that he didn't have long. Breaks my heart thinking about it. I also feel so guilty about wasting money on ungrateful relatives and doctors and dentists that will not take payments! By the time all my medical problems were solved we were so cash poor that we could barely pay for the euthanasia. I work with my Husband and a week after Nickels passed Steve Irwin was killed. We really related to them as a husband/wife team and it hit both of us incredibally hard over his death and leaving his family behind. All in all it has been the 6 weeks of horror that I never want to go through again. I asked my Husband if they gave out olympic medals over stress because we should surely win a gold for all of this!
I've suffered medical setbacks over this. I don't have any real friends here and my doctors office is the same as the vet when it comes to money. Even though my blood pressure went through the roof and my heart rate has been in a dangerous category they will not see me until I have cash in hand (been a patient for over 5 years there). I know the world is changing but it just all seems to be "Just Business". It does my heart good to read a post like mcbvmd's to restore a little faith in man kind. I am so happy that the puppy made it! Bless your heart for taking care of God's special ones. Thanks to all of you for your words of encouragment. They mean more to me than you can ever know.
Michelle
Each time we went to her, Nickels would sit patiently on the table. After a few visits he would crawl onto the scale on the counter and sit very still until she had his weight. He was always full of energy but when it came time for his vet visits he was calm and knew the routine. I've had several animals over the course of my life (I was raised on a farm). I've dealt with loss but, this is the hardest grieving I've ever done over a pet. He was so special to me that I used to say, "Hey you in the cat suit!" when I wanted his attention and he always responded.
A month before I took him to the vet we had an estranged brother and his wife at our house from New York for a week. I was so excited that my Husband had his Brother back after 25 years. They turned out to be the most horrible people I've ever had the displeasure of meeting but I was gracious the entire time no matter what. They are millionairs and they made us pay for almost everything. We took them to our regular diner and my sister-in-law picked a fight over bread with the waitress to get out of leaving a tip so we left one for them. She also threw several "tantrums" over everything. At the same time one of our best clients emailed me to let me know her cancer had come back and there was nothing they could do. She has at most 2 more months to live. If this wasn't enough towards the end of our visit with the in-laws, my tounge was developing canker soars from a cracked tooth. I said later it was God punishing me for lying so much to the relatives. "I love you guys so much!" was the type of phrases that came out of my mouth several times a day to keep the peace while they were here. Anyway, I had a bad infection that spread to the entire left side of my head, ear c&%^, and throat. It took the doctor and dentist 3 weeks to get it under control including 2 root c&%^s. By the time that was over is when I noticed Nickels wasn't feeling good. The last night he was with me he sat up on the bed and put his big old foot on my chest and looked deeply into my eyes as if trying to tell me something. I think he was saying that he didn't have long. Breaks my heart thinking about it. I also feel so guilty about wasting money on ungrateful relatives and doctors and dentists that will not take payments! By the time all my medical problems were solved we were so cash poor that we could barely pay for the euthanasia. I work with my Husband and a week after Nickels passed Steve Irwin was killed. We really related to them as a husband/wife team and it hit both of us incredibally hard over his death and leaving his family behind. All in all it has been the 6 weeks of horror that I never want to go through again. I asked my Husband if they gave out olympic medals over stress because we should surely win a gold for all of this!
I've suffered medical setbacks over this. I don't have any real friends here and my doctors office is the same as the vet when it comes to money. Even though my blood pressure went through the roof and my heart rate has been in a dangerous category they will not see me until I have cash in hand (been a patient for over 5 years there). I know the world is changing but it just all seems to be "Just Business". It does my heart good to read a post like mcbvmd's to restore a little faith in man kind. I am so happy that the puppy made it! Bless your heart for taking care of God's special ones. Thanks to all of you for your words of encouragment. They mean more to me than you can ever know.
Michelle
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