I work in a profession that offers ups and downs periodically throughout the day. One second, I could go into an appointment and see a new puppy or kitten and the next could be filled with my co-workers and I struggling to keep a suffering pet alive.
I must say that the clinic I work at is located in an area where most of our clients can afford what's needed to be done to keep their pet healthy. The majority of our patients are up to date on vaccines and come in at least once a year for their exams.
But we do have a handful of clients that aren't as great about keeping their pets current on everything whether it's from the economy being bad or from their lacking ability to see the importance of why we recommend these things to be done.
No judgment is being placed. I completely respect the decisions made by most owners in most situations, but sometimes we are brutally reminded why we give the whole spill each time a pet comes in for vaccines. That these things are important and it's important that we keep reaching out, especially to that small group of people who doesn't see a need in having it done on a yearly basis. Because bad things can happen. And in Gin's case, they did.
Every time we see the name of this Rottweiler (or any other owned by this particular owner), the other vet techs and I practically draw straws as to who is going to go in. The owner thinks it's humorous that her dogs would bite you in a second. And she has even admitted to encouraging it when she's in her own home with them. I don't know why she has this mentality. Perhaps she likes feeling "protected" by them, but it puts our staff in a difficult situation any time they need to be seen. And I'll admit first hand. I'm scared to death of her dogs.
Gin was a 3 year old, female who was exhibiting signs of vomiting and diarrhea. She hadn't eaten in several days and her energy level was decreasing by the hour. If you have never smelt parvo, consider yourself lucky. It's a smell one never forgets and it sticks with you for the rest of the day. It is more common for puppies to get it than adult dogs because puppies are more susceptible to diseases since they are working on building up their immunity through the first several months of their lives. This is why puppies get so many vaccinations during their first year and why we continue to vaccinate on into their adult lives. Gin had not been vaccinated for parvo for some time and this was her diagnosis.
To me, it's almost worse seeing a bad dag let you do anything to her. She just laid there as I put her catheter in and started her on fluids. She just laid there when I gave her an injection of medication through her skin. And she just laid there the countless times that we all took turns going in and cleaning up after her. All this from a dog that would, in any other case, rip you to shreds the moment she had the chance to. It's almost like she knew we were trying to help her.
Gin never got better. In fact, her health continued to go down hill. The doctor called the owner and suggested having her taken to a 24 hour facility where she could be watched around the clock. She was informed that Gin's prognosis was not looking good and that we were ill-equipped to do much more for her. The owner elected to come visit her and make her decision from there.
The moment that Gin saw her "mama", she immediately started whining, sending the owner into a fit of tears. Seeing her suffering like that, the owner elected euthanasia.
I was almost angry with this person. Not because she made this decision, but because all of this could have been prevented. I couldn't understand why she hadn't taken action before hand. But maybe she just didn't understand the importance? I guess in retrospect, we'll never know.
When she walked out of the room, I could barely look her in the eye. Though I was upset for her and very sad for the situation, I couldn't really hold back my anger. As she was getting ready to leave, she looked at the doctor and said, "This is probably going to sound mean."
Here we go, I thought to myself. She's going to blame someone else. She's going to cause a scene.
She didn't do either of those things. She said, "I still have medications for Gin at home. Would it be ok if I donated them to a family that needs them for their pet but can't afford them?"
My heart sank. I had stood there and judged her, expecting her to show her ass, and she did the exact opposite. I may never understand her as a person. I may never understand the way she is. But one thing I do understand now is that she did love her dog. And in the end, I guess that's all that really matters.
It just goes to show. Things aren't always as they seem. Sometimes it takes a sad event to be reminded of that, regardless if we understand it or not. I'd like to think that in the end, Gin did know we were all on the same side. And perhaps, in a silent way that only pets have the ability to show us, we all came to an understanding.
May your soul rest in peace Gin. We will always remember you.
No comments:
Post a Comment