Vet Visit

I brought my neighbor's cat to Crescent City Veterinary Hospital this morning for treatment.

I do not know my neighbor. I do not know this cat. She didn't answer her door, and when phoned by another neighbor, she didn't answer her phone.

I knew the cat needed help from the looks of her, but my asinine neighbor who is a vet wouldn't even touch her much less allow her into his office without my paying for vaccinations. So Charlie called the vet on Jefferson Ave. who asked that she be brought in right away and agreed to do a preliminary exam for $50.

The vet there examined her and explained she was in pain and would require monumental surgery and care, if she was even able to be stabilized, and made the decision to put her down. She explained she was the professional and the decision was hers.

I know we would do anything, absolutely anything, for our dogs and would hope that if they ever needed care someone would do what we did this morning. I'd also hope the vet would be as compassionate to both the person and to our pet in her approach as this vet was this morning. She absolved me of wrestling with which decision was right, whether it be based on cost or compassion. And she did what was necessary to help the cat pass on free of pain, and asked for no monetary compensation. She asked that my neighbor be left the office phone number so she may explain.

I admire her. I admire her strength and decisiveness. Talking to my neighbor is going to be tough, and its something I'll do before giving her the vet's number.

I've checked my dogs, and they have their collars and tags, each with our cell phone numbers. I think I may need to have new tags made with the emergency instructions in place: DO NOT bring to the animal hospital four houses away, contact Crescent City Vet. Sounds like such a shame, doesn't it, but at least I know, and I now know where to find good care.