“I’m afraid it’s bad news.”
I turn my eyes away as the tears well up in his.
“Personally, I think euthanasia is the best option, but we can certainly try if you would like to. The chances, and the prognosis, are both poor.”
He is silent for a moment, and then elects for euthanasia.
Another one, I think grimly, gathering the too-recently used, familiar little collection of items.
“This happened in the last consult too, didn’t it?” he asks me, gently stroking his cat’s head.
I nod, realising that he must have seen the quietly sobbing woman carry that little box out of the room.
“It must be so hard. I’ve never really thought about how often animals die. I’m a nurse, I see people die all the time. But animals… I couldn't do it. It’s just terrible when it’s your own pet, but being a vet… it must be so hard seeing it every day...”
I smile gently, appreciating the acknowledgement. “But it’s not always sad. I mean, it is, but it is also a good thing sometimes. A kindness.”
“Oh, I know. I work with terminal patients, I see them every day… they’re in pain, or they can’t move, or… it’s, well…”
“It must be so hard,” I say. “I never really thought about that. How many people there would be… seeing that every day…” The enormity of it settles on me.
We look at each other. A moment passes between us. A brief glimpse into each others’ lives. No words are exchanged. Nothing needs to be said. The cat drifts away quietly.
I turn my eyes away as the tears well up in his.
“Personally, I think euthanasia is the best option, but we can certainly try if you would like to. The chances, and the prognosis, are both poor.”
He is silent for a moment, and then elects for euthanasia.
Another one, I think grimly, gathering the too-recently used, familiar little collection of items.
“This happened in the last consult too, didn’t it?” he asks me, gently stroking his cat’s head.
I nod, realising that he must have seen the quietly sobbing woman carry that little box out of the room.
“It must be so hard. I’ve never really thought about how often animals die. I’m a nurse, I see people die all the time. But animals… I couldn't do it. It’s just terrible when it’s your own pet, but being a vet… it must be so hard seeing it every day...”
I smile gently, appreciating the acknowledgement. “But it’s not always sad. I mean, it is, but it is also a good thing sometimes. A kindness.”
“Oh, I know. I work with terminal patients, I see them every day… they’re in pain, or they can’t move, or… it’s, well…”
“It must be so hard,” I say. “I never really thought about that. How many people there would be… seeing that every day…” The enormity of it settles on me.
We look at each other. A moment passes between us. A brief glimpse into each others’ lives. No words are exchanged. Nothing needs to be said. The cat drifts away quietly.
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