Pawcurious: With Veterinarian and Author Dr. V

Celebrating the truth that pets make people better.

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Merry Christmas

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I love Christmas. But I hated Christmas working emergency as a veterinarian.

I euthanized more pets in the two weeks surrounding Christmas than I did in the surrounding three months combined. This is a consistent, repeatable phenomenon common to all clinics- a combination of holiday stress, low funds, and the uncanny knack of pets to get very sick at the most inconvenient of times.

Yesterday, in a clinic in the Pacific Northwest, a woman went into the emergency clinic with her beloved dog, who hadn’t been feeling well. The dog developed a pyometra, which is a terrible, life-threatening condition if not treated immediately with surgery. The vet presented the woman with the estimate: $2,000.

And the woman just did not have that much money. She just didn’t. So she sat in the waiting area, sobbing over the reality that this Christmas, she was going to have to euthanize her pet. I’d like to say that this is an uncommon thing, but this is the reality that plays over and over in veterinary hospitals everywhere on this holiday.

Another couple was in the waiting area with their cat, who also needed to be euthanized. This is Christmas in the ER. It stinks. Not a happy place to be.

But this couple saw this stranger, and said to themselves, how sad that we both must be in this sad situation on this joyous day. And they said, well, we can’t save our cat.

But we can save her dog. And these anonymous strangers gave their credit card to the receptionist and paid for this woman’s dog to be saved, asking not a thing in return.

I have worked in the field for ten years, and I have heard of these stories, but I’ve never seen it happen myself. But I know this woman, and I know her dog, and this did, in fact happen.

The kindness of strangers, the love we have for our pets, transcends so very much. Every time I think I’ve just about had it with people, I hear a story like this, and my faith in humanity is restored. That kind of gift is something that boggles the mind.

I was sitting in the middle of a pile of wrapping paper when I heard this, my dogs licking my feet, the kids running around, and my curmudgeonly mind was utterly blown. A very Merry Christmas to you all, and I hope every day to have in my heart the kind of compassion these strangers showed to a woman and her dog (who is now at home, safe and sound.)

May your days be merry and bright!

Antler Envy

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Comments

  3. Thanks for the good cry. How do you deal with this stuff every day? I can’t have a job dealing with animals, because 1) I have some stupid animal allergies and 2) even when I ignore the allergies and fight them off, I can’t deal with putting a pet down for money. Just too sad. I wish I could find a way of starting a pet charity for surgery money and help with food, but have no idea where to start. Good story thanks.

      • A great organization does what your idea is for West Highland White Terriers called WestieMed. They have raised over $160,000 so far to help westies who are in rescue pay for needed surgeries or westies who have recently been adopted and a medical condition was found. Their website is http://www.westiemed.org if you want to check it out for ideas on how to start your own.

    • If you contact your local community foundation (or one for your region) and explain your idea, they should be able to either connect you with an existing organization that does just that or offer you advice on how to begin on your own. A great example is one we’re lucky to have in our region: http://www.gulfcoastcf.org. Good luck –

  4. What a great story. I know that must be one of the worst part of your job, having to put animals down simply (ha!) due to a lack of funds.

    I was actually just complaining to myself (in a quiet non-grinch sort of way) about this but from a personal point of view. Our cat developed the beginnings of a UTI and crystals in his urethra last week so he and I had several vet visits. Luckily we caught it before it became a horrible expensive nightmare (I’ve had this happen in another cat so recognized the signs). But the timing still sucked. I’m glad to say he’s already doing much better, and I am very greatful that we have a vet I adore.

    Love the picture of Brody and Koa. I think that is Christmas card worthy! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!

  7. Oh, my goodness. That brought tears to my eyes. How very kind of them – the true Christmas spirit!

  8. Holy Smoke that’s incredible! I know several incredible people/organizations that give their time and money to homeless/abandoned dogs and cats and thinking of them never ceases to restore my faith in humanity.

  10. Beautiful story! I do wish, like in human medicine that “life saving” measures/care had to be given, no matter of ability to pay.

  11. thanks for sharing Dr. V….. it is nice to have faith in humanity restored….
    Merry Christmas to you too

  12. Wow – what a wonderful story of the true meaning of Christmas.

    We had to put my young cat down 2 weeks before Christmas – there was nothing we could – it was horrible, horrible, horrible.

    I’m so glad at least one of the families in the waiting room that night came away with a happy ending. Thanks for sharing it.

  14. Medical costs have gone up for everyone but no one has to give medial care to an animals like the people who go to the ED and get care if they have money or not. Consider getting pet insurance or face having to have your beloved four footed friend put down because you cannot afford to pay the vet to fix make it better.

  17. thank god -in these days ,there are people who are doing extraordinary things !
    I have been following the K mart news of strangers paying for layaway’s for kids Christmas presents, and it does indeed ! bring hope to the humanity that I sometimes have given up on, admittedly! about the only thing I could ever do was top pre pay for some coffee for a dozen folks or so at the local starbucks drive through!!
    it wasn’t much , But it Felt good, my kids are grown, and it is just nice to do something nice for strangers at Christmas.
    and to read about others doing so too.

    • Pre-paying ar Starbucks isn’t a small thing. Think about all the surprised people that get a happy thrill in their stomach because someone paid for their drink. You never know how it is going to affect everyone’s day… Maybe a teacher went to class and was nicer to a problem student. Maybe a stressed out dad went home and was nicer to his kids. Maybe a person who was depressed and feeling like no one cares was uplifted by knowing that someone DOES care. That little act can cause a ripple effect in your enitre community. Don’t sell yourself short, it’s a lovely thing to do!

  18. Crying now… what a wonderful story. It warms my heart to know that there are such good people out there in the world.

    I hope that you and yours had a lovely Christmas.

  22. Oh my! So I am catching up since I didn’t get all of your holiday posts read, and I am now in a puddle at my desk, at work – I should have KNOWN better!!! I’m with you, Dr. V., I can only strive for that kind of compassion for my fellow man and animal each and every day. You made my week!