Sad day today leaving the vet clinic

[Steven C]

As I left the veterinarian clinic today on my way out I saw a commotion going on at the back of an SUV. There were vet techs and I looked inside and saw this very big Tibetan Mastiff, he was laying there and unable to move his body. They brought out a stretcher with seatbelts and I couldn't leave, I had to watch them take him in.

He looked right at me and you could tell he had a full life, some graying on his muzzle and just that amazing majestic ancient look that our dogs have. Big face, alert, wide eyes and that nose.

It was indeed heartbreaking to think this dog might be taking his last looks at humanity. In hopes that instead he was going in to get worked on and get better somehow.

 

[Pastor Dave]

I know....that last trip to the vet is soooo very hard. When our Ebony left us, we all cried. Here's a pic of our Ebony, the female black Lab.

 

[April Nicole]

Well said Steven.

 

[April Nicole]

I know....that last trip to the vet is soooo very hard. When our Ebony left us, we all cried. Here's a pic of our Ebony, the female black Lab.View attachment 60509

Sorry for your loss Pastor Dave

 

[Boxergirl]

No matter how many you lose, it never gets any easier. I hope that dog had a peaceful transition surrounded by people that loved him.

I'd like to take a moment to encourage everyone to remember their veterinary professionals. They may not always be personally invested in the animals that they release from this life, but it's a duty that they must perform quite often. They also must provide comfort to grief stricken owners. More frequently than you would think, people simply leave their elderly animals for the staff because they "can't take it." So it's the techs that give the animals all the treats and all the loving as they leave this life. And they do. I've received texts from my daughter saying they just fed a dog left for euthanasia "all the treats and gave it all the rubs" before it made that final journey. It takes it's toll. Especially at a place like an emergency clinic. Veterinary professionals, both vets and techs, are four times more likely to commit suicide than the general population, and twice as often as human medical professionals (if the statistics are accurate). My daughter has worked the last two Christmas days at the ER clinic. Fully 90% of their cases were for euthanasia because everyone wants their animals to make it through the holiday. I think everyone can imagine how emotionally draining that must be. Our personal vets and their staff get thanks quite often. Emergency vets more often get criticism, and seldom thanks. Shifts are long - 10-12 hours is the norm, longer if there's something critical. Coffee, donuts, Subway ... nobody thinks to drop off a tray for them. If ever you've received compassionate care from an emergency clinic, I encourage you to make a small token of appreciation. You have no idea how much it would be appreciated. Stepping off my soapbox now.

 

[DenyMcKusker]

Our very special CoCo, Neapolitan Mastiff, came down with Degenerative Myelopathy. She lost the ability to move at all. I served as her hind legs until her front legs went out. She was 8. Our Vet. came to the house and we laid her in bed and I laid down face to face. She was deaf so I had to sign. I signed that I loved her until she peacefully left us. It is really hard when they still have their mental faculties. Oh hell, it is so hard every single time! I am taking Max in tomorrow to have a cherry eye removed. I lost a very special girl 3 years ago on the table for a routine surgery. I am terrified. Please send positive thoughts for Max. Thanks guys.

 

[Steven C]

No matter how many you lose, it never gets any easier. I hope that dog had a peaceful transition surrounded by people that loved him.

I'd like to take a moment to encourage everyone to remember their veterinary professionals. They may not always be personally invested in the animals that they release from this life, but it's a duty that they must perform quite often. They also must provide comfort to grief stricken owners. More frequently than you would think, people simply leave their elderly animals for the staff because they "can't take it." So it's the techs that give the animals all the treats and all the loving as they leave this life. And they do. I've received texts from my daughter saying they just fed a dog left for euthanasia "all the treats and gave it all the rubs" before it made that final journey. It takes it's toll. Especially at a place like an emergency clinic. Veterinary professionals, both vets and techs, are four times more likely to commit suicide than the general population, and twice as often as human medical professionals (if the statistics are accurate). My daughter has worked the last two Christmas days at the ER clinic. Fully 90% of their cases were for euthanasia because everyone wants their animals to make it through the holiday. I think everyone can imagine how emotionally draining that must be. Our personal vets and their staff get thanks quite often. Emergency vets more often get criticism, and seldom thanks. Shifts are long - 10-12 hours is the norm, longer if there's something critical. Coffee, donuts, Subway ... nobody thinks to drop off a tray for them. If ever you've received compassionate care from an emergency clinic, I encourage you to make a small token of appreciation. You have no idea how much it would be appreciated. Stepping off my soapbox now.

Very sad, I had no idea of the statistics. I will absolutely bring them some pizza pies next time I go if I go before lunch time or I will have them delivered if I don't go. It is a job that I probably couldn't do.

I used to take my daughter to the kennel and we would go on a last call list for certain dogs that were not adopted and scheduled to be euthanized. My last time there, there was a medium sized healthy dog that an animal control person came out to get, the dog was happy wagging its tail and they left. I had no idea but a volunteer came and took the tag off the door and I asked, she said it was just euthanized and it freaked me out. The dog wagged its tail to its demise. I never returned.

Personally I am from a different dimension, a parallel universe where people actually care for animals. I have seen gruesome things in my life, but to this day the innocent dogs continue to bother me.

 

[Boxergirl]

Our very special CoCo, Neapolitan Mastiff, came down with Degenerative Myelopathy. She lost the ability to move at all. I served as her hind legs until her front legs went out. She was 8. Our Vet. came to the house and we laid her in bed and I laid down face to face. She was deaf so I had to sign. I signed that I loved her until she peacefully left us. It is really hard when they still have their mental faculties. Oh hell, it is so hard every single time! I am taking Max in tomorrow to have a cherry eye removed. I lost a very special girl 3 years ago on the table for a routine surgery. I am terrified. Please send positive thoughts for Max. Thanks guys.

I'm so sorry you lost your girl to DM. I've dealt with it as well. It's an awful disease. FYI in the future, there is a genetic test now. It's not a guarantee, but it's better than nothing. I'll be sending all the positive mojo I have your way tomorrow for an uneventful and successful surgery. Please let us know how it goes.

 

[DenyMcKusker]

OH NO Steven, That is such a terrible memory for you and your daughter. And the dogs. I volunteer at our local Bullybreed rescue. This is how my pack got so big. I don't have to worry about the euthanizing but I watch these awesome dogs get passed over & passed over and then the magic words ..Get in the truck" and home they go. My husband travels and a standard question he asks on Thursday afternoon ..Who did you bring home this week. He knows all the dogs at the shelter. I have 1 waiting for her spot. If she gets passed up much more she will come home.

There is an awesome pastry shop on the way to the Vet, tomorrow. I will stop and hook them up. That is a really good idea!

 

[April Nicole]

What a great idea Boxergirl. I have to bring Logan to the vet this week. I'll bring them something nice.

Sorry for your losses DenyMcKusker. I pray everything goes well with surgery tomorrow.

 

[Pastor Dave]

Thanks for the condolences regarding my little lady, Ebony. She was a sweetie. We saw blood in her water bowl and though that she might have a splinter in her tongue. The vet gave her some anti-biotic, but the condition got worse. The vet then put her unconscious and check that tongue. The vet found a squalous cell carcinoma under the tongue, ulcerated and a mess. In a month she was drooling stinky saliva and blood. The end had come and that last trip to the vet was necessary. Ebby was only 8 and sent our family into a downward spiral for several days. That's the bad part of being a pet owner. As I have shared before, most theologians and biblical experts feel we shall see the pets we loved again. I look forward to that. Thanks again, all.

 

[Steven C]

As I have shared before, most theologians and biblical experts feel we shall see the pets we loved again. I look forward to that. Thanks again, all.

While I am not a religious person, I sure hope they are right.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

No matter how many you lose, it never gets any easier. I hope that dog had a peaceful transition surrounded by people that loved him.

I'd like to take a moment to encourage everyone to remember their veterinary professionals. They may not always be personally invested in the animals that they release from this life, but it's a duty that they must perform quite often. They also must provide comfort to grief stricken owners. More frequently than you would think, people simply leave their elderly animals for the staff because they "can't take it." So it's the techs that give the animals all the treats and all the loving as they leave this life. And they do. I've received texts from my daughter saying they just fed a dog left for euthanasia "all the treats and gave it all the rubs" before it made that final journey. It takes it's toll. Especially at a place like an emergency clinic. Veterinary professionals, both vets and techs, are four times more likely to commit suicide than the general population, and twice as often as human medical professionals (if the statistics are accurate). My daughter has worked the last two Christmas days at the ER clinic. Fully 90% of their cases were for euthanasia because everyone wants their animals to make it through the holiday. I think everyone can imagine how emotionally draining that must be. Our personal vets and their staff get thanks quite often. Emergency vets more often get criticism, and seldom thanks. Shifts are long - 10-12 hours is the norm, longer if there's something critical. Coffee, donuts, Subway ... nobody thinks to drop off a tray for them. If ever you've received compassionate care from an emergency clinic, I encourage you to make a small token of appreciation. You have no idea how much it would be appreciated. Stepping off my soapbox now.

I've thanked them, but I haven't done enough. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

Our very special CoCo, Neapolitan Mastiff, came down with Degenerative Myelopathy. She lost the ability to move at all. I served as her hind legs until her front legs went out. She was 8. Our Vet. came to the house and we laid her in bed and I laid down face to face. She was deaf so I had to sign. I signed that I loved her until she peacefully left us. It is really hard when they still have their mental faculties. Oh hell, it is so hard every single time! I am taking Max in tomorrow to have a cherry eye removed. I lost a very special girl 3 years ago on the table for a routine surgery. I am terrified. Please send positive thoughts for Max. Thanks guys.

I will lift you up in prayer. Feel all of us hugging you.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

Thanks for the condolences regarding my little lady, Ebony. She was a sweetie. We saw blood in her water bowl and though that she might have a splinter in her tongue. The vet gave her some anti-biotic, but the condition got worse. The vet then put her unconscious and check that tongue. The vet found a squalous cell carcinoma under the tongue, ulcerated and a mess. In a month she was drooling stinky saliva and blood. The end had come and that last trip to the vet was necessary. Ebby was only 8 and sent our family into a downward spiral for several days. That's the bad part of being a pet owner. As I have shared before, most theologians and biblical experts feel we shall see the pets we loved again. I look forward to that. Thanks again, all.

I believe this. I will open my eyes and see all my loved ones again. I hope they can forgive me for taking them to the bridge....it was all I could do, but I never forgot them.

 

[Pastor Dave]

Dear all and especially Bailey's Mom....the pets will be there if we are there....it is vital we understand that much....PM me about the thought, just so you are sure. I can share...

 

[Pastor Dave]

Sorry for your loss Pastor Dave

Thanks, Well-known member April !!