I am SO SO sorry about all of this, Lisa!!!

Nothing is your fault-- the same as it wasn't my fault in bringing my sweet Mariah to that horrible vet. Albus and Mariah know this. They know our love for them and that we had only the best intentions at heart. It took me 15 years to get to this point and Albus, Mariah, and I want YOU to know this right now. Nothing is your fault. Your love for Albus was and IS strong. You, Lisa, are the best of the best of Mommies.

Let us know how you are doing.

Heartfelt empathy headed your way, tonight and every day !!

Kathy

Hi, Lisa

I am so sorry to hear about this, too. I cannot imagine the anger and devastation you are feeling. Please know that you did everything humanly possible to take care of Albus.

With lots of love and hugs to you!

Hisae

Hi moon_beam, Kathy, and Hisae,

Thank you for your comforting words over the past few weeks. Your kindness and compassion have meant so much to me during this time.

Today marks 4 weeks since Albus passed away. I miss my little bun more than ever. I miss giving him his favorite foods: banana slices and watermelon cubes. I miss our morning routine. I miss our evening TV time together. I miss him and love him so much!

Thank you all for helping me with my "Justice for Albus" mission. I sent off packets that included a cover letter, timeline of events, copies of his medical records, and copies of his last invoice to the state licensing board, national veterinary medical association, state veterinary association, regional veterinary association, and Albus's veterinary pet insurance company. If you can think of anyone else who should have a copy, I welcome your suggestions.

I hope my little Albus is with his sister Hermy. I can only hope that one day I will see them both again.

My sadness seems to keep growing each day. It's a struggle to wake up in the morning and get myself to work. I'm sure some day I'll feel better . . . it's just not today.

Warm hugs to all,
Hermy and Albus's Mommy (Lisa)

Today is my dear little Albus's 1-month angel-versary. I miss him so much.

Albus, I love you, my sweet bun. Please know that your mommy is so sorry for everything you suffered through during your last days here. I hope you are with your sister Hermy. One day, Albus, we will be together again. I want to scoop you up and smother your furry head with kisses once more. I miss you, my baby boy.

I'm sending you and Hermy all my love and kisses!

Love Always,
Your Bunny Mommy

Hi, Lisa, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and your and your beloved Albus' one-month angel-versary. During the deep grief it can feel like every moment of every hour of every day of every month is an angel-versary - - the painful realization of yet another "adjustment" to the physical absence of a beloved companion. Please know we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Harry and Ron kindly, Lisa, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Albus' sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dear moon_beam, Kathy, and all of my fellow forum members,

I just wanted to update you all about my Albus and my Justice for Albus mission. It's been over 3 months since my baby Albus passed away (102 days to be exact). Things are not going well with my formal complaint to the Board of Veterinary Medicine. I finally received a phone call from an "investigator" 2 days ago. She called me "to clarify some discrepancies" after she interviewed the veterinarians at their office the day before. She said she made a personal visit to their office to interview them and collect copies of the medical records and billing records. She said the vet was reluctant to release the billing records but eventually did so.

The investigator said there were 2 discrepancies in his side of the story compared with my side: (1) The vet denies ever speaking to me after I left a message with his receptionist before 8 a.m. on Monday, March 23 (the day before he died). He claims he only left a message but never spoke to me. (2) The vet claims I did not show up to the scheduled surgery on Tuesday, March 24 at 1 p.m.

I could not believe my ears! Albus saw the vet on Friday, March 20 at 10 a.m. and his bladder was manually expressed (too severely), resulting in acute urinary obstruction. I told the vet at that time that something was wrong, but he dismissed my concerns and told me to put Albus in his carrier and leave. Albus did not eat, pee or poop for the next 3 days. He was in pain! When I called the vet's office and left a message on Monday, March 23 before 8 a.m., I told the receptionist this and said it was urgent that the vet call me back. She said he wouldn't arrive at the office until after 10 a.m. The vet called me around 10:15 a.m. and spoke to me directly for at least 15 minutes. This is when he said, "I heard I messed him up." He instructed me to bring Albus in the following day for surgery, but I asked what do I do for him now since he is in pain and has not eaten, pooped, or peed in over 3 days. He told me to give him pain medication and fluids. I asked if I could bring him in right away, but the vet said no one would examine him until his surgery the following day, that he would be in the cage in the back until surgery.

He denies ever having this conversation with me! The investigator told me that she met the vet and thought he was nice and charming. She told me that she does not believe my side of the story and said, "it's not true that you spoke to him. He said he never spoke to you." I told her that I have witnesses: my assistant answered the call that morning, spoke to the vet, handed off the call to me directly, and saw me speaking on the phone to him; my patient and I were interrupted so that I could take the vet's call.

The investigator then interviewed my assistant and took her statement. She asked her if she really handed the call over to me and if she really saw me talking on the phone to the vet. She said of course she did.

The second discrepancy is even more incredible. He claims I "no-showed" to Albus's surgery! Albus was already dead that morning! He never made it to his 1 p.m. surgery. He died at 8:15 a.m. that same morning because it was too late! The vet refused to see him the day before! If I "no-showed" to an appointment as serious as a scheduled surgery, why then did no one, not even the vet, call to see where I was or if I was running late? Because my poor rabbit was already dead and they knew it!!!

The second vet, the one who offered euthanasia the morning Albus died, told the investigator that he offered me a procedure for Albus but he died on the table. That vet did not offer "a procedure." He kept offering and encouraging me to choose euthanasia. He has lied to the investigator as well!

I'm sorry I'm so upset. I am so angry and outraged. To make matters worse, my assistant called the investigator back yesterday morning to add something to her statement, and the investigator was rude to her, stating that WE were "not telling the truth" and that WE were "lying" because she confirmed with the vet that he never spoke to me. She said she had 4 more people to interview at his office and then she would be submitting her report to the Board. She said that she believes the vet's story.

How is this possible? How is the investigator, who is supposed to be impartial, taking sides and expressing her bias already? Presumably her bias will be in her report as well.

I feel defeated. I cried all night last night. What can I do when I am telling the truth but the vets and his staff are lying? And then the investigator believes the lies? Is this what these investigators do? Are they the defense attorneys for the vets?

My family and friends are being supportive. They say that the Board protects their own and I will never get true justice for Albus by pursuing this with them. They say this just opens up old wounds. I know they are right, but my wound is still fresh, my heart is still broken and always will be.

I am so grateful to all of you here. To have a safe place to share my grief and vent my frustrations is priceless. To share my pain with others who understand and, unfortunately, personally have experienced this kind of loss of a loved one...thank you. Thank you for letting me vent.

I miss my little Albus so much. I hope he knows that I've tried my best. I hope he knows how much I love him.

Wishing you all a Happy Fourth of July and a peaceful night.

Hugs,
Hermy and Albus's Mommy

Dear, dear Hermy and Albus's Mommy,

I just read your note and am so outraged I need to get my thoughts together. This screwed up world !!!

I'm going to re-read your note in a while and do some serious thinking and brainstorming.

There MUST be someone different, preferably higher up in "rank" than the investigator, who could review this whole matter. The investigator needs to be investigated!

I will be writing to you later today but in the meantime I wanted you to know that I'm thinking and praying. And I'm so sorry that this outrage is happening! I can just imagine how you must be feeling! You do not deserve this.

Talk soooon,
Kathy

Hermy and Albus's Mommy,

Just some scattered thoughts so far but I will write more a bit later!

In the event that you decide to pursue this further, I'm wondering whether there is a Veterinary Board of Appeals for your state... And if there's a lawyer who would take the case pro bono or on a contingency basis...

Also wondering whether you might start a new thread on this site with a different title related to something legal? (under Death and Dying Support) but reference this page. Thinking that people with ideas for this particular (legal) aspect of your journey might be more likely to respond.

You can vent here ANY TIME. We all feel tremendously for you.

Prayers your way!!!

Kathy
P.S. There is absolutely NO question that Albus knows how much you love him.

Hi, Lisa, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing and how the investigation is going regarding the medical malpractice your beloved Albus received. Like our forum friend Kathy, I too am sooooo appalled at the investigator's approach and handling of reviewing what happened to your beloved Albus. A request from the telephone company to supply documentation of telephone calls received / placed and the length of time those calls were in progress would help to verify the facts. I'm not sure if a court order would be necessary in this situation, but you could call your telephone service provider to see what can be done. If you use cell phone service, then a similar request can be made to your cell phone provider as there would be records of what cell towers transmitted your conversation and for how long. If a court order is required for this type of documentation, then you can speak with an attorney or legal aid service to determine the process to go through to get the records. This may be something that you can do on your own once you receive any legal advice you may need.

In my much younger years I used to work for the Justice Department. When an opportunity arose that allowed me to eventually transfer to a different agency people would ask me why I was leaving a job that was so important. My reply was "I am leaving the Justice Department where there isn't any." Sadly, "justice" has not been the focus of legal issues for many years in this country. Rather it is a "point of law" as to which side can produce the most convincing evidence while manipulating - - if not destroying - - the facts that brought the matter to a judicial level to begin with. It does not surprise me that the veterinarian who so carelessly and recklessly treated your beloved Albus has "charmed" the investigator. I TOTALLY agree with Kathy that you need to determine if this investigator's review can be investigated by a superior on the veterinary board of supervisors. For one thing, her behavior toward you is TOTALLY unprofessional, which makes me wonder if she has a personal connection with this particular veterinarian.

Only YOU can determine how far you want to pursue this, Lisa. You may never receive the ultimate "justice" and "vindication" you want on behalf of your beloved Albus. HOWEVER, I promise you your efforts will not have been in vain. Somewhere, sometime, somehow there have been / will be other patients of this veterinarian who will have similar catastrophic experiences. Your case may or not be the first one that has come to the attention of the veterinary licensing board. Only a licensed investigator can do a background check on him -- and some day he may very likely find himself involved in a court legal proceeding. Whatever happens, Lisa, I hope and pray that you will be able to find a peace in your heart that your beloved Albus KNOWS you have done everything in your power to give him "justice" for what happened to him.

Thank you again for sharing with us what has been happening with the investigation. For different reasons I truly can understand how shattered your heart is feeling and how very angry you are. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Lisa, and please let us know how you're doing and how things are going.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi again Hermy and Albus's Mommy,

Wow, what moon_beam said is so sad and yet so true---about our justice system.

One of the situations I personally encountered was in '02 when I left a teaching job that I LOVED ... The problems started when new administration took over and appalling things happened--drug use by administrators and some students, a drunken teacher being asked to drive the community bus that picked up students in town, etc. I spoke to my boss about the drunken teacher being asked to drive. Next thing I knew, I was being set up for things that I was then written up for. I eventually contacted the Maine State Board of Education with my documentation containing incidents, dates, and witnesses. The State responded that I should speak with my superintendent (the superintendent was the biggest culprit, and I had said so in my report to the State)! I hung in at my job for another 9 months, feeling sick each day. I finally resigned. Oh, and I soon discovered that I was blackballed from other teaching positions. It seems the world is getting more and more corrupt. It's scary.

As moon_beam said, whatever you decide to do in your case, Albus KNOWS you did everything in your power and more. You are the best Mommy.

Please continue to keep us posted.

Kathy

Dear moon_beam and Kathy,

Thank you so much for your replies. I'm sorry I haven't written back sooner. Thank you for the much needed support and encouragement. By the time I finish work and get home, I am totally useless and completely dejected. Reading your responses has helped me make it through this week.

I'll write more this weekend, but I just wanted to say that both of you are absolutely right! Where is the justice in this world? Some days I feel like evil has won, but then I'll look through my photos of Albus and Hermy and realize that I have not completely lost faith in everything.

I wish you all a good evening and restful night. I'll touch base this weekend.

Hugs,
Hermy and Albus's Mommy

Hi, Lisa, just stopping by to let you know that I am hoping today is treating you and your precious Harry and Ron kindly, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Albus'and Hermy's sweet Living Spirits to comfort you. Please let us know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi moon_beam,

Thank you for thinking of us here. Harry and Ron are napping peacefully right now. I have tried to channel all my frustration and anger (and sadness) into cleaning house this weekend, from scrubbing, mopping, and vacuuming to decluttering piles of paper and books. I may not be able to win the fight against lying murderous vets and corrupt investigators, but at least I can clear the dust, dirt and scum from my home

I keep praying that Albus and Hermy are happy and healthy and together on the Other Side. I hope they know how much I love them and miss them.

Wishing you rest and comfort this evening.

Many Hugs,
Hermy and Albus's Mommy, Harry, and Ron

Hi Hermy and Albus's Mommy,

Thinking of you. I'm glad that what people shared has helped you to make it through the week. I know it's tough.

Know that you will receive all the support you need. You have been through a lot. Hermy and Albus know how much you love them. Ron and Harry know too.

Hugs,

Kathy

My Dearest, Most Precious Albus,

Today marks the one-year angel-versary of your passing. I miss you so much, my baby bun. I think about you every single day and miss you more than I can say.

Albus, I love you. I hope you are with your sister Hermione and your best friend Harry. Are you all together now? Are you all okay?

I miss your nose-kisses, Albus. I miss holding your warm, furry body in my arms and nuzzling your cheek against mine. I miss your affectionate cuddles. Oh Albus! How I miss you and love you!!!

Please know that your mommy loves you. Please don't forget me. I will always remember you, my sweet, sweet bun.

I hope one day we can be together again. All of us. I am sending you my love and hugs and kisses, baby Albus.

Love Always,
Your Mommy Lisa

Hi, Lisa, thank you so much for sharing your and your beloved Albus' one year angel-versary with us. Just because the calendar indicates that the first year of grieving has been endured does not mean that the sorrow and sadness in our hearts automatically disappears. Hopefully in time the sorrow and sadness will ease so that your heart can embrace the many treasured and cherished memories you and your beloved Albus share - - knowing that as you're thinking of him you will know he is thinking of you at the exact same time - - because love has no boundaries, Lisa - - there is no way in heaven or on earth that your beloved Albus will ever forget his Forever Mom.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Ron kindly, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Albus', Hermione's, and Harry's sweet Living Spirits to comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam