Sad day at work yesterday.
By shira0524
@shira0524 (482)
United States
August 26, 2010 9:27am CST
Yesterday was a very sad day at work for me. Two long-time client families were forced to make "the decision" for their dogs and it was so sad. One was an older Corgi who has not been able to walk due to a degenerative back problem; he'd been treated with chemotherapy before as well for a cancer in his mouth and while that was successful it was found yesterday upon xray that he had cancer now in his lungs. The owners decided it was time since he was in pain (from his spine), and with this new discovery, well, there is no saving them once they have cancer in the lungs.
The other was a beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog who has had bad tendons in the hind legs that the owners have been nursing for a really long time since it was thought that surgery would not fix his problem. So he has spent a long time in splints and casts, but considering he weighed almost 150 pounds, it was all so hard on him. He had developed sores under the splints and was getting infected and was in a lot of pain in general so they, too, made the decision. This family brought 8 people with them to say goodbye and for a while everyone in the place, including us, the staff, were crying. It was so sad, but both dogs went easily and peacefully.
It's nights like that when I can't wait to get home and let my two out of their crates so that I can hug them so tight. I don't know what I'm going to do when it comes their "time". I'm sure most other dog and cat owners know exactly what I mean. Love your animals every day, people, because you never know when it's going to be their last.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
26 Aug 10
This is one reason I couldn't work animals, I would not be able to handle the down side of it. I take it you work with a veterinarian? That was one choice I wanted to for a career, but for one,I was awful in math and science and for two, even to poke an animal with a needle, I knew I couldn't do it..
You have a tough job, shira, I admire you for it, but don't envy you..:)
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
26 Aug 10
Wow, so you're a nurse for animals? that is awesome..We only have a country vet where we live, so it is just the receptionist and the vet. Then again you probably are more involved in surgical procedures than check ups. I only had to take my puppies in for check ups and their shots..
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
27 Aug 10
There are 7 vets and at least twice as many techs who work where I do. Not all at the same time of course, but there is always at least 2 vets and 3 techs on duty at a time. Three of the girls are trained for doing anesthesia so they are usually the ones who assist the surgeries. I'm looking to get trained in anesthesia to start doing more of the dental procedures but for now I mostly see the day to day visits and do all the other care/treatments of visiting and hospitalized pets.
1 person likes this
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
26 Aug 10
It's a great job most of the time. Helping animals and keeping them healthy, helping to teach pet owners how to better take care of their animals, it's great. But I guess with every job there is the bad side. Same as nursing, I'm sure, other than the fact that I am a nurse for animals and not people. Blood and needles and gross things don't bother me but sure, the down side of it bothers all of us at least a little bit.
1 person likes this
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
27 Aug 10
I cried when I read your sad story. It's so sad even when you read about such cases, but when you are involved in taking such a difficult decision it's really heartbreaking.
I had to make that decision eight months ago, after a year of suffering. Words cannot express how much pain we've been through. It still hurts when I think of it.
1 person likes this
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
27 Aug 10
You're the first person I hear that had to put to sleep a senile dog. In her last year Nera became senile, too. This came besides all her phisical problems. She didn't know where she were any more. She didn't enjoy our pettings any more, and for her last 10 days she didn't eat anything. She stood in front of the food bowl, not knowing what to do. It was a heartbreaking view.
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
26 Aug 10
I guess, just like children, it's so easy to get angry at them when they pee on the carpet or get into the trash, but life without our pets? Never! :)
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
26 Aug 10
That's true.. and mine actually get away with so much.. these dogs I have now are so spoiled they barely ever get yelled at. they don't know how good they got it.
I have had to put 3 dogs down and a few cats and it has never been easy. But, my dogs were by far the worse - they were my best friends. It was really hard for me. But I couldn't live life without them- it wouldn't be life. It would just be existing.
@treefolk7 (69)
• United States
26 Aug 10
Sounds like that would be a tough day at work. I have had to put a chilhood dog down. It was hard to do. Its better for them not to suffer. I'm sure the good pets will have a good place to go or at least I hope so. I guess just cherish your animals while there here and after think of them playing with toys or bones in a better place.
1 person likes this
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
26 Aug 10
I hope so, too. I hope that Rainbow Bridge really does exist.
