We know that no one likes to talk about losing their pet. No one likes to even think about saying goodbye to their sweet furry friend. It’s uncomfortable and awful even to contemplate. But actually, that’s the problem. Recently, an animal lover made a post on Twitter, and it quickly went viral because, frankly, we need to talk about a few things now and then — especially when it’s something that is this important.
Yes, we know the day you lose them will be one of the worst days of your life — this vet wanted to make sure it isn’t also one of the worst days of your pet’s life.
JESSI DIETRICH & SAYING GOODBYE
So, here’s what triggered the conversation — animal lover Jessi Dietrich from Jacksonville, Illinois recently asked her vet a tough question. She asked him what the hardest part of his job was. His answer instantly broke her, and she later took to Twitter to explain.
Asked my vet what the hardest part was about his job &he said when he has to put an animal down 90% of owners don’t actually want to be in the room when he injects them so the animal’s last moments are usually them frantically looking around for their owners &tbh that broke me
— jessi dietrich (@jessi_dietrich) July 27, 2018
The post went viral quickly and generated well over 140,000 likes and over 40,000 comments. Jessi talked to Bored Panda about the experience.
“I just have one pet of my own,” explained Jessi. “His name is Rick. He’s a black and white cat and is about two-and-a-half years old. Though he only weighs about five pounds, he has the biggest personality to make up for his size.”
Jessi and Rick spend a lot of time at the Vet, you see. About a year-and-a-half ago, Rick almost died because he had a UTI blockage. Jessi took him for surgery, and he’s okay now, but he has frequent infections as a result of the surgery. Rick isn’t in pain, but he does require regular visits to the Doc.
YOU ARE YOUR PETS EVERYTHING
Rick’s emergency and the resulting frequent trips to the vet made Jessi think really hard about that inevitable day when she would have to say goodbye. There is one crucial point she wants all of us to remember.
Image CC BY-ND 2.0 By ManhattanCatSpecialists via Flickr
“Lastly, I’d just like to say that while some pets may only be in our lives for a short period of time, we are often in their lives for a large percentage of theirs,” said Jessi.
She’s right, you know. We are our pet’s entire world for the vast majority of their lives. They love us, wait for us to get home from work, and lay on our feet when we are sad.
It’s our duty, at the end of their lives, if at all possible, to ensure that they aren’t alone when they leave our side forever.
ALONE AND AFRAID
We undoubtedly have to make sure they aren’t alone if we have to have them put down by a vet. Honestly, I was shocked when I found out how many people are simply walking away. You know, if you do walk away like these vets said — your animal will spend their last moments alone, afraid, and searching the faces of strangers for one final glimpse of the face they loved their entire lives unconditionally.
Image CC0 Via Pixabay
Please don’t be that guy. Don’t be the guy that leaves your dog alone in a place they probably already hate, at the very end of their lives. I know one thing for sure, a team of wild horses won’t be able to drag me from my Sophie girl when it’s time — no matter how much it hurts.
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