Things in the Mail.
Today I got a beautiful sympathy card from my vet. Not the animal hospital, but the actual vet.
Inside was a handmade card with Shiva's paw print and her name and the dates and a pretty stamped border. When I saw the pawprint and realized it was hers, I suddenly felt both a huge sense of loss and very comforted. It made me feel better to know my vet took the time to actually see Shiva and ink her paw and make that print.
This was the vet who more than once took the time to call me back after her work hours to answer my questions when Shiva was sick. Letting me know what to do and what to expect. She didn't have to do those things, but she did. Now this - it leaves me grateful that Shiva was in good hands. Hands that understood what it's like, and did this final kindness for me. I don't think I can adequately express how powerfully it hit me seeing that paw print. It felt so right, and I got it today, when they called me to let me know her remains are back at the vet's and I'm going to pick them up.
This still sucks, but I think I'll figure out how to work it through in something resembling a healthy way instead of trying to pretend the grief doesn't exist. That's reassuring.
Inside was a handmade card with Shiva's paw print and her name and the dates and a pretty stamped border. When I saw the pawprint and realized it was hers, I suddenly felt both a huge sense of loss and very comforted. It made me feel better to know my vet took the time to actually see Shiva and ink her paw and make that print.
This was the vet who more than once took the time to call me back after her work hours to answer my questions when Shiva was sick. Letting me know what to do and what to expect. She didn't have to do those things, but she did. Now this - it leaves me grateful that Shiva was in good hands. Hands that understood what it's like, and did this final kindness for me. I don't think I can adequately express how powerfully it hit me seeing that paw print. It felt so right, and I got it today, when they called me to let me know her remains are back at the vet's and I'm going to pick them up.
This still sucks, but I think I'll figure out how to work it through in something resembling a healthy way instead of trying to pretend the grief doesn't exist. That's reassuring.