...too many times i've seen those ghosts before...
Working in a vet clinic can be one of the most rewarding experiences/feelings in the world. Seeing an animal come in that's sick and leave happy and healthy, knowing that you had a part in saving that pet's life. Sometimes you see the best and worst of humanity. Just today we had the most beautiful black Mastiff come in, 50kg, absolutely gorgeous and sweet and so loving and trusting. I was on the floor, hugging and petting him, just trying to grab him in my arms as tight as I could without making him feel smothered. In conversing with the owner, I learned he got him from a rescue. The dog had been abused by a previous owner, the person beating him with a baseball bat before he was finally taken away.
Just hearing the man say it made my heart stutter and throb.
You have people who rescue animals, take them in and help mend them physically, emotionally and mentally. Who give them love, affection and spend endless amounts of money to try and better their lives And it's so absolutely brilliant to see the side of humanity that helps take care of those who can't take care of themselves.
Then you have those who use their power to their advantage, abusing animals just because they can.
There was also another dog that came in for a recheck and some medication. He's a boy we've seen quite a bit in the past few weeks and is getting better, and I adore him. The second he heard my voice when I came down the stairs from working upstairs he got excited and started dancing around. When I went over, he approached me and was hugging me and rubbing up against me and his owner said 'oh look, it's your favourite person here.'
THAT is why I put up with the stress, the bullshit and everything else that comes along with working there. Having clients come in and their pets remember you and love you. Seing the difference you've made in their lives.
THe downside? When you lose a pet. Naturally or via humane euthanasia. Now, euthanasia is most definitely a personal decision and a very hot topic. I was just called by a friend of mine from work to let me know that another one of our friends that we work with is putting his dog down tonight. Now, we've known she's been steadily declining over the past few weeks and was barely even concious today from renal failure. Initially, we thought she'd at least make it to the new year but in the past few weeks it's been a very steady decline. I knit her a scarf last week because she was spending a lot of time at the clinic and was always so cold from the air conditioning and all of the treatment we've been doing on her. Also, because she's this little wisp of a chihuahua.
I most definitely understand why he's going to put her down and think that in the long run it will be better for both him and her. She's in a lot of pain and is declining hourly, but it still sucks to lose her. We're all so close to each other at the clinic, despite how much we fight and argue, and we are all close to each others' pets. And him losing her feels we're all losing someone.
That's the part I hate. When we lose one :(