Why?
When I arrive at eight to find that the kennel attendant has quit without notice, and that every animal has emitted bodily excretions of one sort or another and that we have two heartworm treatments, an orthopedic surgery, a barium series, four spays, three neuters and cats to bathe and dip by noon...
When the doctor dashes out the door at noon spouting an oral schedule of medications, treatment instructions, dosages and a reminder to give that cat an enema and take another radiograph at one-thirty (since I obviously won't be doing to lunch anyway) as the door closes behind him..
When I take the schnauzer on IV fluids out for a little walk Sunday morning, and out of habit lock the door behind me, remembering too late that my keys are lying on the lab desk..
When two cats and a cocker spaniel have urinated on my new lab coat and pants, and clients are beginning to wrinkle their noses and cast doubtful looks my way, and I absolutely MUST stop at the store on the way home..
When I've been clawed, stepped on, snapped at, and had anal sacs expressed on me, and the anxious owner is pleading with us to "be gentle with poor 'Satan' he's never bitten anyone BEFORE!"..
When my feet ache, my back hurts, and my legs feel like over-stretched rubber bands..
When incoming bills far exceed my bank balance..
When I ask myself, "Why do I DO this???"..
...I help breathe life into a newborn kitten.
...I see the look of fear and pain begin to leave a young dog as fluids, medication and loving care relieve shock and anxiety.
...I feel a little pink tongue gentle touch my hand as I check a bandage, and I look up to see trusting eyes and I hear a thumping tail acknowledge my works of encouragement.
...I hear the cry of joy and answering bark as an aging owner and equally aging, recently ailing, and newly recovered pet are reunited.
...I touch a bereaved clients shoulder as she holds her dying pet and feel the grief she feels, and her relief as she realizes someone understands.
...And I know, I could never do anything else.
And that is why, after some thought, I could care less that unmentionables may throw it in my face that I don't make alot of money, and probably never will. That things may always be tight, and I come home tired, sore, beat on, stepped on, pee'd on, and feeling like my limbs may fall off.
Because when I get up in the morning, and head off to work, I know that everyday -I- will love my job. And everyday, -I- know that I will do something amazing.
When the doctor dashes out the door at noon spouting an oral schedule of medications, treatment instructions, dosages and a reminder to give that cat an enema and take another radiograph at one-thirty (since I obviously won't be doing to lunch anyway) as the door closes behind him..
When I take the schnauzer on IV fluids out for a little walk Sunday morning, and out of habit lock the door behind me, remembering too late that my keys are lying on the lab desk..
When two cats and a cocker spaniel have urinated on my new lab coat and pants, and clients are beginning to wrinkle their noses and cast doubtful looks my way, and I absolutely MUST stop at the store on the way home..
When I've been clawed, stepped on, snapped at, and had anal sacs expressed on me, and the anxious owner is pleading with us to "be gentle with poor 'Satan' he's never bitten anyone BEFORE!"..
When my feet ache, my back hurts, and my legs feel like over-stretched rubber bands..
When incoming bills far exceed my bank balance..
When I ask myself, "Why do I DO this???"..
...I help breathe life into a newborn kitten.
...I see the look of fear and pain begin to leave a young dog as fluids, medication and loving care relieve shock and anxiety.
...I feel a little pink tongue gentle touch my hand as I check a bandage, and I look up to see trusting eyes and I hear a thumping tail acknowledge my works of encouragement.
...I hear the cry of joy and answering bark as an aging owner and equally aging, recently ailing, and newly recovered pet are reunited.
...I touch a bereaved clients shoulder as she holds her dying pet and feel the grief she feels, and her relief as she realizes someone understands.
...And I know, I could never do anything else.
And that is why, after some thought, I could care less that unmentionables may throw it in my face that I don't make alot of money, and probably never will. That things may always be tight, and I come home tired, sore, beat on, stepped on, pee'd on, and feeling like my limbs may fall off.
Because when I get up in the morning, and head off to work, I know that everyday -I- will love my job. And everyday, -I- know that I will do something amazing.