Kind of a sad event at the vet's today.
While I was waiting, a gentleman came in with his dog; a medium sized, black fuller coated dog. I didn't think anything of it. I'm at the vet's. Lots of people bring their dogs there. I was standing just a little behind the man while waiting when I heard the vet tech asking questions like; will you be staying with her during the procedure, do you want her body back, etc. It was right there that I knew that these were the last minutes of life for that poor girl. I started petting her. She seemed to be a nice dog. I noticed she was hobbling pretty good, there was something wrong with her right eye (growth or something), her tounge didn't look healthy, and she was panting heavily when it's only about 69 degrees today. I got my medicine and I stopped before leaving. I questioned whether I should go over to the man and give condolences. He was sitting in the far corner of the waiting room by himself with the dog. I did end up going over there and asking how old she was (16 years), told him that she lived a great life, and that I was sorry. I petted her some more, again told him I was sorry, and to take care and then I left. He was a little choked up at that point, too. I was tearing up pretty good. Just thinking about that sweet girl and what she was about to go thru and what the owner was about to go thru broke my heart. I felt so sorry for the both of them. And then I start to think that I'll will be going thru that one day as well (I don't know how I will be able to do it). Just a sad day at the vet's. What struck me as odd is, in as many times I've been to the vet, I don't think I've ever been there when there was pet who was in for euthanasia. Seemed strange to me. |
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| It's the worst, isn't it? I used to work at a vet and I remember how tough those days were. The WORST day was when Jerome died. He was a shepherd mix that our own vet had rescued from a dumpster and had given the owner 16 years before. We were all crying, including our vet, and I had never seen him cry. It's hard, too, when it is a young dog that died of an aggressive cancer or an accident. I just hope that when my animals get to be older and are at that point in life where they need to let go, that I can be strong enough to go through with it for them. |
oh, Mark, I teared up just reading about it. We will ALL be in that place in the future, and I just hope, when I am there, waiting for the end with whichever pup I have, I hope that someone like you will take the time and give my pup a compassionate pat and talk to me, so I could tell him what a great time and a great life we both had together and that this last gift to her is one of the most painful things I have ever had to do..........You are very kind. |
That is sad.  Putting my Macy to sleep at 15 1/2 was so hard, even though it was not really an option to do anything else. I have been at the vet when dogs (and cats) come in to be PTS. But I'm older and have more animals, so my odds of being there are likely a LOT higher... One that sticks in my mind is one of our friends and neighbors came in with their old female St Bernard to be PTS. They were heart broken, but knew it was time. She had to be carried in by several people from their van to the clinic. I seriously don't know how they got her in the van - they are both about 60 and Katherine (wife) has polio. I saw her, how bad off she was, knew she had a wonderful life and I STILL bawled all the way home... I'm sure this guy appreciated your concern and caring. It is not a fun time at all. |
| I also used to work at a few vet clinics, and I never got used to seeing a dog die. I always try to hold it together but once I hear an owner start grieving ...I have to hurry and walk to the back b/c I will too. |
| Mark, that was so sweet, what a kind memory for that man to have. I only saw it happen one time at my vets, a boy of about 18 brought his dog in. He was carrying a huge dog wrapped in a blanket and refused all offers of help. It was heartbreaking to see him struggle to carry the dog and try to be brave and not cry. They were put in a private room behind a closed door and his sobs were audible through the door. When he came out he stopped and thanked us for offering to help him but said that was his best friend and he wanted to do it himself. He could barely speak he was crying so hard. I was crying because he was so devestated. |
| Mark that was very kind of you to take time to offer condolences. I seem to have a knack for being at my vets when people come in with their dogs to be PTS. Its so hard to know what to say and I get so choked up on their behalf that I often cant say anything. |
| It is a horrible time to go through and everyone handles it in their own way. It was very nice of you to offer comfort to this man and his dog at the worst point in their lives together. The actual procedure for the dog is very peaceful. They drift off to sleep. I did my best to stay upbeat for Mopsy. We had to wait about an hour for the vets office to open so we took turns laying with her as she could not get up. But we talked to her and even teased her a little and she gave all the appropriate responses since her fun personality was there even though her hip was shot. Tim carried her to the car and we all went in and stroked her, hugged and kissed her while they prepped her. We sang Happy Birthday to her while they administered the shot because she loved when it was her birthday and her turn for the song. It wasn't until the vet told us she was gone that we all started bawling as we clung to her one last time. |
| Mark, That was a wonderful thing to do. We've been thru this terrible pain and any kindness from another person really means so much. |
ICH wrote: Mark, That was a wonderful thing to do. We've been thru this terrible pain and any kindness from another person really means so much. I echo what Ilene said, the man probably felt that he was not alone in his grief after your kind words. My day started off much the same as yours, I arrived at work to everyone crying. The Owners of the company are very dog friendly. One Owner in particular brings his Bulldog, Magoo to work almost ever day, so he is a common sight in our front foyer sitting in his favourite wing back chair next to the fireplace. Everyone loves Magoo, he was 11. Mr. Magoo had a lump removed, and came out of the surgery fine, but early this morning he developed complications, and started to bloat and died. The Owner was on his way home from the Emerg with Magoo to bury him and stopped in so we all had a chance to say goodbye. Some might think that is morbid, but we all felt that he was part of our family and I for one am glad I had to the chance to wish him a safe journey. It was a sad day in our workplace. |
| You may never again cross paths with this man but you will forever be remembered. You made the world a little better place today by taking time from your day to be kind to a stranger and his dog. :*) |
| we never have more loyal and loving friends. saying goodbye is the saddest day, but remember they handle death better than we do. slowly as the days go by, all the good days will come to mind rather than that saddest day. btw, mark, i remember like yesterday all the people that offered help or condolences each time i said goodbye to my best friends. |
| As Joan and I left the office of the strange vet where we said our final goodbyes and left our Jakester for handling, I remember being quite uncomfortable and feeling guilty for exposing the other patients to our grief. I saw some owners looking at our empty leash. I don't know if I would have appreciated someone offering condolences at that moment, but I imagine that it would have made those moments a little easier. I remember every detail as if it were yesterday. |
| I am sure in a few days time you offering condolences will be a comfort. ok I am crying now as well...xx |
| Mark, how very kind of you to offer your condolences to the grieving man. I'm finding it very hard to type this through tears as it was just last year when we lost Drez and I can still recall every heartbreaking second. Heck, I can recall every heartbreaking second of losing Buford in 1994 and still cry over that. You may have felt uncomfortable, but you will forever be remembered by that man for your compassion. Thank you |
| Mark, I am sure you helped that man who had to leave his dog. He probably felt a tinge stronger know that someone else to feel his pain. Nice you were confident enough to talk with him, so many of us feel awkward with people who are grieving. We said good bye to our 14 year golden retriever, Holly, in January. I loved having a senior dog, so wise and gentle, (and trained!). A few wonderful things came from the terrible heartache of missing my girl . We sent out an obituary to all our friends & family that knew Holly. The outpouring of love and support we received amazed us, even from folks that are not dog lovers. It was the first time in 15 years that I saw my husband cry, in a small way, I felt better knowing he loved our Holly as much as I did. In May we were able to open our hearts and home to an OES puppy named Howard/Howie. We sure do miss Holly, but the house is no longer quiet! Peg |
Ron wrote: I don't know if I would have appreciated someone offering condolences at that moment, but I imagine that it would have made those moments a little easier. Believe me Ron. That's what I agonized over. In the end, I just didn't feel right leaving without acknowldeging the owner. Maybe at that moment he didn't want anyone to know what was going on, but I think in the near future he will appreciate it. Besides, our whole interaction was probably around 1 minute. I wished he had brought someone along with him. No one should go thru that alone. It's gotta be way too much for one person to deal with. And I'm perplexed as to why the vet office would just let him sit in the waiting room for so long. They should have let him have a room so he could have some private time with his girl, away from other customers. Or how about letting them stay out in the yard of the office (away from people) until they were ready for them. IDK. |
| yes, you're right on the mark, mark. here, all 3 vets i've used have a room reserved for no waiting for pts clients. two of them have the person use side door and one sometimes meets clients on saturdays, sundays and evenings for privacy because he's there yet anyway. oh and btw, i've learned over the years nobody, even the toughest, hardcore of males is immune to the saddest day. at lunch one day on a wwtp jobsite in the woods on a mountain, the subject came up. i was amazed how in unison the dog lovers responded. "Cried Like a Baby" "Me Too" " Yep" |
| Our vet's office has a special room too, with a separate entrance. When it's not in use for that, it's a regular exam room, but when a sad event is taking place it's always in there. There is a small sign that goes on the door to the hallway that says, "Do not enter." Everyone who passes knows what it means. (There are four exam rooms in total, and a lab.) The medical "ward" can be accessed through that room or through the lab as well, so a sign goes on the door that leads through to the med ward. I know that when I was in the med ward with Theeps for an extended period, they would come and make a point of letting me know that there was something going on in that room. They didn't want me leaving Theeper's kennel and heading to the bathroom or the waiting room right through someone's private moment. It seems odd that this poor fellow had to wait in such a public place. My heart goes out to him. |
| Our vet clinic only has one exam room - it is used for EVERYTHING - it is the surgery room as well. Small town, small clinic - but great staff! |
| Mark your a great person for speaking with that man. He'll always remember that moment I'm sure. Our vet has an outside reflection graden with beautiufl flowers and benches for that private moment. Then a nice inside room with couches and privacy. Gosh I'm just crying and crying right now. It's something you never forget no matter how long it has been. Lisa and Frankie |
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