How Do I Get Myself in These Situations?

[BellaDonna]

This morning on my way to work I decided to pick up some Prescription Diet Feline WD food for my cat- which I only purchase from her vet's office.

 

My timing could not have been worse- as I walked in, a man who must have been in his 70's, walked in right behind me crying and carrying a dog.

 

After talking to him I found out that the dog was 17 years old and he was putting her down today because her quality of life had gotten so bad that she could not even drink water.

 

He was crying- then the receptionist asked if he could come to the desk to sign some papers, and make payment for the visit- and he had to leave the dog sitting, about 10 ft. away, in the waiting area. I asked if I could go pet her while he was at the desk. I could hear conversation in the background like "What do you want to do with the remains? Cremation, okay, etc." And the poor baby was still there, alive, with me.

 

She was a sweet old girl but you could see that she was really sick, and really tired. I tried not to tear up, but failed.

 

It was such an awkward situation, I didn't want to impose but I did tell him that my family had to put our 20 year-old cat down recently and that it is a hard decision but he is doing the right thing. I took one of the vet's business cards and wrote "rainbow bridge poem" on the back of it. He thanked me and said he will look it up on the computer when he gets home. He said he was not going to stay with the dog when she got put to sleep because he couldn't take it.

 

All I wanted to do was buy a bag of catfood.

 

All day my heart has been aching over the dog and her owner.

 

I always seem to end up in these kinds of situations.

 

I know the story is the same over and over again- humans outlive their pets- we all know it is coming, and animals shouldn't suffer- but it's never an easy thing to accept, or to see.

 

Had I gone in the office 5 minutes before or 5 minutes after that man did I wouldn't have to be heartbroken today.

 

I give credit to vets and vet techs because I don't know how they can bear to see that scene again and again.

[sophie274]

It is so hard. I have thankfully never had to put a pet down (yet), but have lost a few animals to accidents, and it was devastating.

 

I did work at a vet's office for a short while in high school, and saw a few pets be put down. It wasn't as hard as I imagined it would be, mostly because you could see how much the owners loved their animals, and you could see that it was a very peaceful way to go for them.

[hers]

I think about Leeluu sometimes and when she'll go and how I'll handle it and what I'll do without her. I don't know why I make myself think those things. I love her so much--I didn't think I'd get so attached when I got her and how I'd outlive her probably.

 

I always tell her "That live forever pill is coming along any day now. Don't ever leave me ok?" She's my girl.

[lostandhurt]

I think the old man is thinking how lucky he was to have such a compassionate person there at that exact same time with comforting words. Empathy for others is a gift that hurts at times but is a big building block of who we are.

 

The good you do surrounds you as you go thru life.......

 

Lost

[BellaDonna]

I think about Leeluu sometimes and when she'll go and how I'll handle it and what I'll do without her. I don't know why I make myself think those things. I love her so much--I didn't think I'd get so attached when I got her and how I'd outlive her probably.

 

I always tell her "That live forever pill is coming along any day now. Don't ever leave me ok?" She's my girl.

 

 

 

It does make you want to give your pet a hug....doesn't it. My cat is 5 and is very healthy, so hopefully I'm in the clear for a while now. My son adores my kitty- she has been there since he was born.

 

I don't even want to think about it because I know it will be devasating for the entire family when we inevitably face the situation.

[DN]

I think it was an excellent thing you were there. Not from your perspective today but from his and his dog. I hope it won't be long before you take comfort from having comforted him.

[TechResQ]

I am a Registered Vet Tech and worked many years "in-clinic" (work in Animal Health Pharmaceuticals now), and I can tell you...I never got used to it. I don't think anyone does. I cried every time. Even the veterinarians. It's not an enjoyable part of the profession, but at least we have the ability to end suffering and pain. The euthanasia solution now a days quite simply does put them to sleep. It's quick and painless for them. Truly.

 

Your compassion shined through to the old man and to his dog...it didn't go un-noticed.

[SapphireNoir10]

It is good that you feel so much and empathise so much. If more people did the world would be much nicer. You helped that old man feel a bit better about an awful situation.

 

The world gets me down too sometimes. I think about all the sad stuff happening and thats happened to people and animals.

 

Im sorry your sad *hugs*

[CatsMeeoow]

It is a very sad day when someone has to say goodbye to such a beloved friend. Realize though that this pets quality of life was dwindling if she were no longer able to keep down water. At least the act of euthanasia prevents the dog from dying from dehydration which would a very cruel way to expire.

 

While it is sad and painful to have to make that decision its often made with love and the knowledge that suffering is ending.

 

 

[hers]

Leeluu is 6 1/2 and boxers live only to about 10-12 years. I hate thinking about it.

 

I think the man is very lucky that you were there and could show him such compassion. You're a good person.

[KG]

I think the old man is thinking how lucky he was to have such a compassionate person there at that exact same time with comforting words. Empathy for others is a gift that hurts at times but is a big building block of who we are.

 

The good you do surrounds you as you go thru life.......

 

Lost

 

I couldn't have said it any better. Good on you, Bella, tho at a cost.

[IphigeniaSaysHi]

It's hard. I have never experienced true loss, but I think about it a lot. Just like Hers mentioned, but with people as well as pets.

 

 

Too much sometimes.