At the Vets, Happy and Sad

I brought Lady to the vet's today for a check-up and to get a refill of her thyroid medication. It was seemed like dogs day in the office and I saw all kinds and all sizes. Lady had fun hissing and growling  at different ones who go too close. Then I saw a man come in with a large dog with a kind, old husky face but light in colour on the rest of his body. The man  had a large piece of cloth tied around the dogs middle and had trouble getting the dog in. I heard him tell the receptionist that it was his mother's dog. He let the cloth down gently and I could see the poor dog wasn't able to stand, but fell over in a huddle. I knew what was going to happen.

I was in that position 10 years ago with my Peanut, who, after 2 years of treatment for mega colon and then cardiomyopathy, was very sick and the vet, knowing how grieved I was, had to tell me it would be the kindest gift I could give her, if I would have her put to sleep.

The vet came and took the man and his dog away, and then a short time later the man came back and left the office in a hurry and I could tell he was crying. I felt so sad because I had looked into the patient old eyes of the dog as he laid there, and I knew somehow the poor animal knew his suffering would be at an end

Other dogs, young ones with their whole lives ahead of them, bounced around on their leashes, coming in for their rabies shots and small stuff. I sat next to a man who had a large white Chihuahua who was 1 1/2 years old, and he told me about what  companionship his dog was to him. This was a happy story.

Meanwhile when Lady  had her turn, I was happy to find out she had almost gained back a pound from a month ago. She had blood-work done, and the doctor decided to up her medication as her thyroid levels were still a little low. Otherwise my little girl was in good shape and I could take her home.

I said to the vet, "I could never work here among sick  pets and having to put them to sleep". She told me it took a special person to do this work. For the old sick ones, she said it was a blessing and a kindness for them to be free of their pain and lack of quality of life.

As I sat in the reception area waiting for the blood work to come through, an elderly man came in and asked for his pet's remains. The receptionist went in the back and brought out a small, forest-green bag which somehow struck me as elegant even though I knew what it's contents were.

Let's just say, the vet's office is nowhere to go if you forgot your Xanax that morning (as I did). Too many thoughts happy and sad