Why I love my Vet
I have posted before about my OES, Fred. Fred is aging and I know that my days left with him are numbered. On Saturday morning events happened which lead me to believe that it was time. I waited for the vet's office to open and made the call asking if they could possibly squeeze me in to look at Fred that I thought the time had come to send him off. They recognize my voice now and know me by name, without even asking on the phone who is calling, and said that I could bring him in after the last appointment they had for the day. It was an extremely emotional day for me because it was almost, to the day, the one month anniversary, January 19,2012, of the death of my beloved 15 yr old golden retriever, Owen, who I had to send off due to bone cancer. I kept myself busy til the time arrived and Fred slept. The ride to the vet was a long one and an emotional one for me. When I got to the vet's office there were still a number of cars in the parking lot. I informed the office I was there and that I would be outside with Fred. The vet tech, who has been quite kind to me in the past told me she would come out and get me when they were ready. I sat with Fred in the sunshine, petted him, told him how much I loved him and waited. An hour went by. As I waited there I kept looking at Fred and noticing he still had an interest in life. A persistent feeling came over me and impressed upon me that "today was not a good day for Fred to die". I was not sure if it was just me not wanting to let him go or if the universe and Fred were telling me so. After much thought I went into the office and told the tech that I did not think I wanted to go through with my decision but I still would like to have the vet look at him. Cars kept pulling into the parking lot and going in and out of the office even after the office had closed. Finally the vet came outside to where I was with Fred. She took one look a him and said "He is not ready to go." She told me that although today was not the day, his time was nearing. She told me that he would tell me, which I already knew and have experienced from other pets I have lived with. She shared with me that she was going through the same thing with one of her beloved dogs and shared with me some things that she does to make her dog more comfortable. I asked her how she does it, dealing with death. She said to me she believes that we are all energy and that we never die just move on. She said that dogs and animals in general are just amazing creatures, they do not care about our looks, social status, etc and it is a privilege for her to coexist with them. She said that death is just part of the cycle of life and even though it is easy for her to give advice to others regarding their pets, when it comes to her pets she is an emotional mess. She then said to me " Go buy Fred a cheeseburger on the way home" which I had been thinking of doing anyway. So I left her office on Saturday respecting her more as a professional and an individual, and grateful for having more time with Fred. When we arrived home Fred was exhausted from his day out and full from his cheeseburger. As he slept on his bed I just kept stroking his head and face trying to memorize every feature. I just want him to feel and know the love I have for him and when the time comes and his energy is freed into the universe he goes knowing how much he is loved, wanted and appreciated. |
|
|
 Thanks for sharing this and also your vets thoughts.It made me cry a little, because this is the hard and though part of the dog keeping that makes us all so vulnerable. I wish the best for you and Fred.  |
| Thank you for your wonderful story and glad to hear that Fred enjoyed his cheeseburger. I too have a senior dog and spend many hours petting, snuggling and enjoying her presense so that she too knows that she is loved and appreciated. Wishing you and Fred many more days in the sunshine together. |
| With 2 1/2 oldsters.......Harry is at least 10 but not showing signs of slowing down....I know the dread of coming days.......and the joy they are still here. Hug em, Kiss em for eternity. Maybe my guys need to go for cheeseburgers....... |
| Beautiful story, I hope Fred hangs in there for more cheeseburgers and hugs in the sun! I hate Monday mornings... starting a whole week at work away from my girls... |
| |
| Beautiful. |
| Lovely story Give Fred extra hugs today! |
Beautiful story. Vets like that are keepers  Hope Fred enjoyed his cheeseburger. Hope there are lots more of them & hugs in his future. |
| Thank you for your tender story. It's so hard to feel the twilight of life. Fred knows you love him, just as you know he loves you. Many happy cheeseburger days to you and Fred. |
| Thank you for your touching story. I can feel how much you love and care for Fred. I just want to chime in a little about why I cling to our vet. She was with us every step of the way with Cooper's problems from day one. In his last days she talked to me often and she saw a side of me that I don't like to show to very many people. She experienced me at my worst, panic and extreme sadness. In the end she offered to come to our home to respectfully help us give Cooper peace. She held our hands, cried and spent about 2 hrs in general to help us cope. She was never in a rush and made us feel like we were her only clients (I know her office was open and she had to get back). We are lucky to have such quality in a caring vet, one of the reasons we are going to get another pup and try again. On that day she said to us "even though the hurt is so bad today, I can see you with another dog to love and give a good home to." If someday she is not in the business anymore I could only hope to find such a caring person. Thank you for allowing me to share, tears as I write this. |
| I had a wonderful vet with Pooh Bear, too. We are about 40 miles away and he was always just an email away with any question I may have had We took Pooh in on a Saturday morning and our vet, luckily, was on call. I laid on the floor of the exam room with Pooh just petting him and clinging to every shred of him I could. Our vet was there on the floor with him, speaking to him in such a quiet and gentle voice and stroking him the whole time. With Pooh's last hair cut, I saved some of his fur. It is in the box with his ashes. I remember inhaling his smell after he left us. I know they really never leave us spiritually. I have experienced this a few times. The most memorable was when I was packing some of his supplies to take to the humane society. A box that I kept on top of the refrigerator with his tags, rabies records, etc, came flying off. There was no way that could have fallen off on its own since it sat flat on top of the fridge and not on the edge. I had my back turned and heard a noise and there it was on the floor, without the contents spilled out. Another time I was just lying in bed and I could feel his presence. Hard to explain this, but I know he gave me a lick on my forearm, but I couldn't feel it physically, but I felt it down in my soul, in the core of me. It is difficult to say goodbye to our beloved pets, I still cry and it's been 8 months. They are such a part of our hearts and family. Keep yourself open to the signs because they will be there for you to see. Give Fred a big hug!!! |
| We had a similar experience with our vet. (And Max got ice cream on the way home that day.) That kind of caring and compassion can't be bought. So glad she is with you throughout this. Give Fred an extra hug and a pet. |
| Beautiful story! Cindy |
| Jack, I'm so glad you will have Fred around for at least a little while yet. And how caring of your vet to see he wasn't ready. Are you still going to Carol? |
| Chris, Yes it is Dr Kathy J. I have you to thank for giving me her name when I was looking for a vet. If I recall correctly one of your prior co workers was going to her and told you about her. Her office is not the prettiest nor is it the most modern and her phone system can be annoying but she is exactly what I was looking for, a caring and compassionate person who was more interested in the welfare of the animals rather than lining her wallet with money. |
| Oops! I remembered her name wrong. It is Kathy, not Carol - doh! And I do remember that you were initially turned off by her office's appearance. So glad you got past that part to the real her! I'm actually having lunch today with my former coworker who recommended Kathy. I'll be sure to tell her your story. She swears by her, too. Right now she has 5 dogs and she freely admits that if she had any other vet, she would not have 5 dogs - couldn't afford to. Kathy has been her life-saver on many occasions. Gentle hugs to Fred, please! |
| Fred, my OES, Byron, my Great Pyr and myself would like to thank every for their warm wishes and kind responses. It was a beautiful day today so I snapped a few pictures of Fred and Byron. I also included a picture of Owen, my golden retriever. who left for the rainbow bridge January 19,2012. Thank you all again for your kind words and warm sentiments directed towards Fred.    |
| Beautiful story -- I am so glad you shared it. Brought tears to my eyes. I am glad for the additional time you have with your beloved Fred. You have my sympathy for the passing of Owen. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|