Hard day today.

[Sheryl]

I am a nurse who works in Northern Canada, in a remote community with no road access. We have no veterinary or other pet services, so I do what I can to help out sometimes. My sister is a vet, and provides me with lots of telephone and email advice. This past week I had three furry patients, two who had been hit by cars and one that we weren't sure what the problem was. The dog was basically starving to death. I drew blood and flew it to the nearest vet, and put the dog on IV fluids. Once he was rehydrated we started feeding small amounts of easy-to-digest foods, but he couldn't keep anything down. The bloodwork came back all normal. I think he likely had a foreign object lodged somewhere in his intestine. To fly him out and get further tests and likely surgery (which would have ended up over $1000) is not realistic for this family, where money is very tight. So today at lunchtime, we made the decision that putting him down would be the kindest thing that could be done. Because Euthenol is a controlled substance I can't have it, and so have to use two needles. The first one puts the dog to sleep and the second one stops the breathing and then the heart. I do not like to do this at all, even though I don't know the dog well. But the only other option is to have someone shoot the dog, and I know that the death that I can offer is much more peaceful. I don't think that taking away another living being's life will ever be something that I get used to. I cried for most of the afternoon, as did the owner, and the friend that I took along with me for support. Some of my friends ask me why I even try to help when I don't get paid, often pay for things myself, and sometimes lose the pet or have to put it down. But all I know is that I do the best that I can, and that I could never turn my back on a pet in need.

Sorry for going on and on. Now I am crying again, so I think I'll go and play with my dog and cats. Thanks for listening.

[Hee Yung Lee]

You sound like a very kind and noble person, especially considering you do your work without pay. I have never been in your position so I can only imagine how hard it must have been to put the dog to sleep, but from your words, I can tell that you cared very much for this dog and that you provided everything you could to bring him back to health. Take care.

[Clair Taberner]

you are a good person, it's good that the local animals have someone around who does this and cares.

[Rebekah Hartman]

Sheryl- Thank you for doing what you do, even when it's hard. I don't work with animals, but I do work with children with special needs and it can be very difficult at times. I work with a lot of kids who are medically fragile and have very serious health needs. I love it and its extremely rewarding - people ask all the time, "Wow, don't you just get so sad working with kids with all those problems?". Most of the time, no, but I have to tell you that I grow to love many of them and work with them every week. Last December, one of "my" babies died and my heart still hurts over it. I'm not a parent myself yet, but I love these kids and celebrate every success and grieve over every setback.

What you are doing makes a difference - which, I'm sure, is why you get involved when there's "nothing in it" for you. You are right, you'll never get used to helping end an animal's suffering by helping end their life, but you shouldn't. Life is precious, whether animal or human and it always costs more to get involved the the tough situations, but the payoff is also great when we can help make a change for the better.

One of my kids' moms told me a while back that "There are those that help and there are those that heal" - you sound like a "healer" to me.

[Jody Hayes]

I am sorry about your hard day:( but thank you for all the hard work you do. We need more people like you.

Thank you

[babyblue]

I am sorry you had to do that. Just think if you didn't do this for those people then who would they have to turn to when their animals got sick?

[Susan Bacon]

Oh Sheryl, your story is such a loving and devoted one. Although you sound like a very humble person and I'm sure you didn't start writing about your day so that people would tell you how special you are, know that you truly are! Mother Theresa was another soul like yours. When asked the why, why, why questions about her continued choices to live in poverty among the sick and dying, when adversity was everywhere and it seemed there was never any hope, and days like yours were the norm, she replied "I do it anyway."

I think about that everytime life throws me a curve or people are sh$#!y or I don't think I can face something even for the right reasons: Do It Anyway.

You are a very special woman. God bless you!

Susan

[Luciann]

My heart goes out to you and i thank you for doing what you do. When someone asks you can tell them "i do it cause i love all animals". And that is why you do it, you don't want to see them suffer or be hurt in anyway. I know what you do is hard both emotionally and physically. But you are a wonderful person and have earned your wings in another life.....

thank you for being there for all of our furbabies that have no other means of peace....

[Jesse Cruz]

You are a beautiful person with a heart of gold. To do what you do is truly out of love for furbabies. We all thank you for being such a good person and continue doing it because these little creatures rely on the goodness of people like you!

[Andre Mendizabal]

A LOAN FROM GOD
God promised at the birth of time, a special friend to give,
his time on earth is short, he said, so love him while he
lives. It may be six or seven years, or twelve or then
sixteen, but will you, till I call him back, take care of him for
me? A wagging tail and cold wet nose, and silken velvet
ears, a heart as big as all outdoors, to love you through the
years. His puppy ways will gladden you, and antics bring a
smile, as guardian or friend he will, be loyal all the while.
He'll bring his charms to grace your life, and though his stay
be brief, when he's gone the memories, are solace for your
grief. I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth
return, but lessons only a dog can teach, I want you each
to learn. Whatever love you give to him, returns in triple
measure, follow his lead and gain a life, brim full of simple
pleasure. Enjoy each day as it comes, allow your heart to
guide, be loyal and steadfast in love, as the dog there by
your side. Now will you give him all your love, nor think the
labor vain, nor hate me when I come to call, to take him
back again? I fancy each of us would say, "Dear Lord, thy
will be done, for all the joy this day shall bring, the risk of
grief we'll run." "We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love
him while we may, and for the happiness we've known,
forever grateful stay." "But shall the angels call for him,
much sooner than we've planned, we'll brave the bitter grief
that comes, and try to understand."

Author Unknown


I figured this poem would make you feel better... you made the right choice, to let him die without any pain when there's nothing else to do is the best proof of love you can give him. People and pets on your town are lucky to have you!!!!

[Sheryl]

Thank you all for your words of encouragement, and for the poem Andre. You are right Susan that I did not post to get praise for helping, I just needed somewhere to 'talk' with other pet lovers. And to people who would understand that even though I did not 'know' this dog well, that it was still a hard thing when the kindest thing to do was end his suffering.
Thanks for listening and for your support.