"Please, don't put me to sleep..."

*BEWARE! This post is not recommended for weak hearts*

Today was "the" day I did not cry when I would, normally...

This afternoon, a man walked in our clinic and asked for veterinary assistance as his dog was injured from a freak accident. The nurses helped to carry the wounded dog into the clinic for immediate medical assessment.

The good dog obediently let us assessed and manouvered him around although he was surely in a pityful and yet painful state. Neither did he bite anybody nor he bark at anyone of us. The faithful dog did not even let out a squeak.

The dog's hind leg was crushed revealing flesh and a generous view of broken bones. He suffered cuts and bruises here and there. He was in a serious condition needing more than just a vet's consultation. His badly damaged leg needs to be amputated.

And so, the veterianarian gave the owner 2 choices.

1. Save the dog's life [inclusive of medical fees]
2. Put the dog to sleep [inclusive of cremation]
   

As for the figures, it was just RM200 difference between the two options. The owner chose the second choice. He chose to end the dog's life. Instead of paying to save his life, the owner opted to pay for him to sleep.

The reason?
He said he had only kept the dog not long ago.

The atmosphere fell apart and silent prayers ensued for the lovely dog. The owner left upon his request to terminate the dog's life. Often, they do not realize how difficult it is to put them to sleep. The hardest part was for us to do it and to see him go...

As for the dog, I think he said,

"Please, don't put me to sleep..."

Life at a veterinary center

I had been helping out at a veterinary center for two weeks now. Working around the clock had me physically and mentally exhausted, but my sweat paid off well. The job was exhilarating as I had hands-on experience all the time.

Everyday I face ailing and sick animals coming into the clinic. Some cured from their illnesses and some succumbed to viral infection. Eventually, there are few cases where the best option is to ease their suffering and put them to sleep. It is, the best option available for the animal as presented by the professionals in that profession.



It is never easy to see the animals die after you had been nursing them ever since they were hospitalized. Setting them on IV drips, jabbing them with antibiotics again and again, force-feeding, giving them their medication, holding the struggling animals, applying antiseptics and alcohol solutions, putting them on general anaesthetics, putting muzzle on their gaping mouths, cleaning their discharge etc.



This is my daily routine. Believe me, none of those were easy to do. Every time, it was a proven struggle. I'm lucky that I managed to catch and insight of the daily happening in an eventful clinic. The veterinarians are very professional and knowledgable who helped me gain more than what I have personally seen and heard there.

Pets did not just waltzed-in to the clinic, they are the responsibilities of their own pet owners. Some are attentive and some are icy-cold. Pets who are blessed with good owners end up with proper lifestyle and care. Unfortunate ones would probably be lying in cages in the clinic, suffering from diseases or left there to die.

Being emotionally attached to them, I know, if these animals can choose, they would want to live a better live.