Almost everyone loves pets - little non-judgemental loving creatures that intimately share our lives and souls. Without doubt, with all that they give we can not help but love them in return and at our hospital we do not just treat pets - we treat families.
When my wife and I went out for dinner last week we wanted to relax and enjoy some fine dining. We were just sitting down when heavy footsteps and clanking chains came up behind me. The huge figure of a man that had approached crouched down on his legs to be at eye level with me. I looked into a bearded face, eyes blood-shot and distressed. A leather outfit, tattoos and boots completed the biker picture.
The large biker paused for a second and then wiped a tear from his eyes. My initial surprise of why a biker was approaching our table turned to sympathy when I realized it was Dave who cared for Spike, a pit bull I had recently dealt with at the hospital.
Spike was diagnosed with bone cancer that had spread throughout his body and as unpleasant as it was euthanasia was the only option available to us. Dave initially acted like he had no emotion and that he didn't care but I have been a vet long enough to know saying goodbye to Spike was eating him up inside. Now as he crouched beside me I could see he was about to let it out. He shakily extended his hand out in gratitude but I didn't take it. Rather, I reached out myself and gave him a big hug.
Dave didn't say a word other than a barely audible thank-you and he quivered beneath my hug emotional over the loss of his canine friend. Dave then quickly backed up and wiped his eyes and left afraid that anyone would see him in tears.
We have grief counseling, para-funeral directors and other services available for people to help them heal over the loss of their pet but I knew Dave would have none of it. He was grieving silently over the loss of his pit bull but he didn't want to let his gruff guard down any more than he had. He was grateful that when there was nothing else that could be done that we could let his friend go quickly and with dignity. As much as euthanasia is never an easy task for a veterinarian we also know it is a privilege to perform to prevent unnecessary suffering. In his own way, Dave appreciated this too
