08/25/2024
I watched someone’s pet take their last breath. Then I went into the next room with a smile. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.
I finished performing CPR on a kitten that didn’t make it. Then I had to tell the owner. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.
I hugged someone as they picked up their pet’s ashes. Then I had to answer the phone with a welcoming voice. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.
I got yelled at by a pet owner over the phone for being too expensive. Then I had to empathetically take payment from someone who was sending their pet across the rainbow bridge. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.
I bagged someone’s pet they would’ve paid anything to save. Then I had to go be empathetic as someone’s pet that could be saved wasn’t due to finances. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.
I cried in the bathroom during the 5 minutes I had between appointments. Then I had to go into the next room where an animal was neglected. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.
I watched an owner decline treatment for a fatal complication and take their pet home. Then I had to go to the next room like nothing happened. I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway.
I spent all day caring for other people’s pets. Then I had to go home and take care of mine. I didn’t want to but I did it anyway.
In veterinary medicine we don’t have choices. We have things we surely don’t want to do, but we do it anyway. Part of it because of our “end suffering” oath and part of it because it’s in our nature. One thing I can tell you is none of it is easy and damn sure isn’t because we “want” to. Yes, the small percentage of good outcomes outweigh the larger percentage of bad. But the good never stays with us. It’s the bad that forever damages our souls.
So the next time you think “they’re only in it for the money” or “they don’t care about animals” please remember not all of our smiles are real. Not all of our laughs are genuine. We do it because we have no choice. Half of the days we fake it to make it to the end. Our minds are tired and our hearts are heavy, but no matter what we will do it anyway 🤍
