Horsefeathers! Posted June 28, 2004 Posted June 28, 2004 My job really sucks. At least today it does. It sucked last Friday, too, when a longtime client's dog finally went to The Bridge. BoBo was old, so it was coming and to be honest, I'm glad he went downhill quickly enough for a definitive "it's time" decision to be made rather than suffering on and on. Bobo was a little Yorkie that had been gracing our clinic with his presence for the last 15 or so years... long before any of us were ever there including the present vet. I will miss Bobo. Today, though... wow, my heart is breaking. Boomer is... WAS a big ol' happy happy happy lump of a Cocker Spaniel. I LOVED this dog! He came faithfully every 4 weeks for the last few years and usually came in for a bath between groom visits. I have never in my life seen a dog that enjoys grooming so much, but anything that involved paying him attention was ok with Boomer whether it was the bath, the haircut, or whatever. He would nearly fall asleep in the tub as he was bathed because it seemed to feel soooooooo good to him. He really was such a character. When Boomer first started coming to me, I never was able to groom him and send him home dry. He ALWAYS panted and hassled and drooled and carried on. I'd put fans on him, elizabethan collars padded with towels, every trick I could think of to catch the drool that would pour down his face, chest and onto his feet. His whole front end would be soaked. Then one day, a lightbulb went on (duh). Instead of addressing the DROOL, I addressed the PROBLEM. As it turned out, Boomer just had kennel anxiety. He HATED being caged. The whole problem was easily enough solved by just closing the door to my groom room and letting Boomer have free run. He'd play for a while and find a spot and go to sleep. The drooling and panting ended. Yay! We graduated that into making a bed for Boomer on the table that sits next to my work table (I usually just use that other table as a catch all for junk). I'd put a front and rear harness on him so he couldn't fall, or get down and he was happy as a clam. He'd nap on that table all day long. I have pictures of him snoozing the day away on that table with a couple of fans on him. As long as he wasn't in a cage, he was perfect and went home bone dry. Last week, Boomer's family went to bed one evening and things were normal. When they got up the next morning, Boomer was paralyzed. Xrays showed some kind of damage in his back. He lost control of everything... his back end, bladder, bowels and all. They spent a week agonizing over whether to take him to a university hospital for surgery, but it apparently was still a slim chance with whatever damage Boomer had that he would regain any function. This lady is taking care of her granddaughter, recently became in charge of caring for her elderly mother and it didn't seem feasible to be able to give Boomer the care he would need. I know she loved him unbelievably and made the best decision for him. So today, Boomer was put down. She uses another clinic as her primary vet and I drove as fast as I could and tried to catch her so I could be with them, but I missed her (she didn't know I was going to try to come). I am so upset. Boomer was like one of my own. He had to be one of my very favorite dogs ever. Man, it hurts just like losing one of my own. It just goes to show that you never really know. That's part of this job that sucks. I've lost some really good dogs unexpectedly. Hug your babies because you never really know when they won't be there. It would be so easy to second guess her, but I know this lady and I know it was not an easy decision for her, nor an easy way out. It had to have been pretty bleak. Anyway, I just wanted to vent. I'm really upset right now. I'm going to go make duplicates of the pictures I took of Boomer and buy a card tonight and send them to his mom. I think I'll enclose a copy of some of my favorite poems. I think I'm going to start saving and filing away snippets of hair that I clip from all my regular dogs. Then I think when something like this happens, I'll tie the snippet with ribbon and put it in a picture frame with one of my favorite poems. Maybe it's too hokey. I don't know right now, but I just wish I could do more than say, "I'm sorry." :cry: RIP sweet Boomer. :cry: Quote
Smooshie Posted June 28, 2004 Posted June 28, 2004 (((((((HUGS))))))) HF....so sorry about the sudden loss of Boomer :cry: Quote
courtnek Posted June 28, 2004 Posted June 28, 2004 I am REALLY sorry HF...truly. When you get that close to them, they're like yours. I think her owner made the right decision. as hard as it was. and I really like the snip of hair idea and the bows. mine dont have any hair to snip (well, I could get some from Free's tail, but that;s about it). I feel for you. ***hugs*** Quote
cheekymunkee Posted June 28, 2004 Posted June 28, 2004 I'm so sorry for your loss. It's nice to see people who love other's dogs as much as they do their own. So many times people view what they do as a "job" and could care less about their clients. I'm glad there are people like you who DO care & hurt as badly as the owners when a loss occurs. I'm sure they appreciate it more than you know. Debby Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted June 28, 2004 Posted June 28, 2004 oh HF i'm sosorry that you've had a rough few days.. i think your idea of a clip of hair and a poem is a great idea ;) *hugs* Quote
izzy Posted June 29, 2004 Posted June 29, 2004 I'm so sorry to hear that HF, i think you are really awsome trying to be with Boomer at his final moments, Hughs for you. R.I.P. Boomer. *re-edited to add: if i could i would send my dogs to you for their grooming* Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted June 29, 2004 Posted June 29, 2004 HF, I am so sorry about the loss of Boomer. It's great that you care so much. I agree that the snippet of hair is a wonderful idea. Not hokey in the least bit. RIP Boomer. Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted June 29, 2004 Posted June 29, 2004 I'm sorry HF. I'm sure Boomers family will be comforted by the card and pictures. Quote
sarahmyjoy Posted June 29, 2004 Posted June 29, 2004 Im so sorry HF. It just has me in tears :bigcry: the hair clipping idea is a good idea. I did that for my sister i had her rotty for the last 4 years of her wonderful life and when we had to let her go I got my fav. pic and a hair clip and put it in a fram for her. Quote
Lokipups Posted June 29, 2004 Posted June 29, 2004 HF, I'm so sorry too :cry: , it is like losing one of your own. And I like the "lock of love" idea too. Quote
__crazy_canine__ Posted June 29, 2004 Posted June 29, 2004 Oh Im so sorry HF! :( RIP Boomer :angel: Quote
imported_Kat Posted June 29, 2004 Posted June 29, 2004 awww HF, we do tend to acquire our regular favourites don't we, and its like we lose on of our own when that wee pet has to go to the bridge. At the surgery I frequently saw old favourites and when the time came I couldn't hold that professionalism and let my emotions be with the owner when that time came. Still, we always have those wonderful memories :angel: Quote
Dee Posted June 29, 2004 Posted June 29, 2004 I'm so sorry, HF. :( I'm sure that every pet owner wishes for someone like you in their life. It's touching to hear how much you care for your clients. I think the snippet of hair is a truly lovely gesture. I know that I would be deeply touched by it. Dee Quote
mouseatthebusstop Posted June 29, 2004 Posted June 29, 2004 I am so sorry it must be so hard for you to lose two friend so close together Quote
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