News of late

[supersera]

Yesterday we euthanized a dog that I had hoped was going to be a cruelty case. The owner brought her to the clinic 2 WEEKS after she had been hit by a car. She had nerve damage to her leg and an open wound. A bandage and splint were placed and the owner was instructed to bring the dog back the next day. Well they didn't. The owner took the dog to another hospital a while later - then tried to leave the dog there. They finally got a hold of the owner - did minimal care, changed the bandage and treated the wound - and the owner came and got her. They were instructed to bring the dog to see us THE NEXT DAY to have the bandage changed and wound treated. They came THREE WEEKS LATER - they had placed packing tape over the bandaged leg, as well as three dirty socks. The leg smelled SO BAD and was so nasty. The owners brought it in on emergency and basically left while it was being triaged. I changed the bandage and cleaned her leg, gave her some food. We tried to pursue a cruelty/neglect case, however they didn't feel they had a case. We tried to get the owners to come get the dog - offering to amputate the dog's leg for free (due to the nerve damage) and have the dog returned to them - they seemed interested but they never showed up. She was a crazy, young, brown red-nosed Pit named Sassy - she was such a love but she failed her behavior evaluation, so adoptions would not take her.

We had no choice but to euthanize her.

I cried.

I'm ok with euthanizing sick and debilitated pets, but when I have to euthanize a healthy, happy dog because they had the bad luck to have a piece of shit for an owner, that really gets to me.

At least the last thing she saw was my smiling face, petting her and kissing her on her goofy little head.