My relationship with you starts with you as a puppy. Just a little ball of fur with every new experience a challenge and a learning process. You come as an innocent and it is up to me to introduce you to a world of patience and gentleness. So, as I glide my hand over your body, I make sure the exam is more of a soft re-assuring stroke rather than a careless prod. At the end of our visit, I get to cuddle you, smell your sweet puppy breath and sometimes wish you were mine.
Sometimes you come to me as an adoptee. This can be a different story. Some of you are well acclimated to be a domestic pet and readily submit to whatever ensues. You will wag your tail at almost any prompt and the visit is nothing but pure joy. However, some of you come scarred. You may have experienced the devastation of a hurricane in Puerto Rico or come from an abusive environment of some other kind. In your case, patience is of paramount importance and mere words are not going to temper your fears. This is where the other kind of communication is essential. In some way you need to be sheltered, but at the same time feel that I am in control. Believe it or not, this is calming. As you feel my firm and confident touch, you sense that you are in safe hands and start to relax. This is the power of guided touch.
Our relationship begins with this first introduction. Over the years you have come to trust me and I have fallen for you. You bring an uncomplicated joy to me, and even though I may take it for granted, after a short interruption or vacation, I look forward to seeing you all again.
Over the years there are semi-annual Tick-Borne Disease Tests, vaccinations and annual well-visit exams. I realize that your enthusiasm is really for the All Natural Biscuit at the end, but I accept that as a good thing. After many years, as you grow older, it is likely your medical chart will expand to include dental cleanings, possibly some extractions and a myriad of medical and surgical emergencies. It is my job to keep you safe through anesthesia, diagnose medical illness and even sew you back up for injuries or after abdominal surgery. Blood tests and x-rays, all part of the potential difficulties you may face.
During this time, I have also gotten to know your family well. One good reason for our half hour appointment time. After we spend time with you, we usually share conversation with your human caretakers. Over the years, we have gotten to know each other well, watched the kids grow up and have dialogues that sometimes include travel or occasionally, politics. With Covid-19, we also share the hardships of children out of school and reduced social contacts. Even though you, the pet center of attention can come inside, your human family cannot be in close quarters, so we go outside to get a medical history and later to discuss a diagnosis or treatment plan. Also, an opportunity to say hello and catch up.
In every pet’s life, there comes a time when the quality of life is diminished to the point that we have to say goodbye in a spirit of love and gratefulness for the time we shared together. The words come easy, but the emotions lag far behind. Currently, many humans with this terrible pandemic will leave this world alone, family members forbidden to hold a hand or leave some parting words. For families, this is devastating and inhuman. For you, a beloved `pet, things are very different. If your family prefers, I will come to your home. We will bid you a farewell in your comfortable place and you will be treated with dignity and respect. You will receive a brief injection in your rear leg and slowly fall asleep while in the arms of your loved one. When you are sedated-asleep to unconsciousness, an intravenous injection will stop your vital organs and you will be at peace. The same practice applies in our hospital setting, nothing more important than your graceful exit from this existence.
The final question that begs for an answer is: how do I fare through this? When I had to put my own beloved “Colin” to sleep, I didn’t fare very well. I did not have to appear strong for anyone, and even though he was past the point at 14 years of age with end term cancer, I still questioned my right to take him to another place. But I learned from this. I grew to more acutely comprehend the deep pain that goes along with this kind of loss. I wish I had someone else to share my sorrow, someone to give me a hug and someone else to reassure me that I was doing the right thing.
So, it is my responsibility to comfort you and your family. To appear strong and to hide my emotions. I am the Doctor, I will take you to a painless and loving final resting place. Dependably calm, cool and collected, always under control. However, if you could see me at this time you would notice the lump in my throat. You might discern a glimmer of a tear in the corner of my eye. I will miss you my dear friend and please know that I am grateful to be a small part of your journey.
