- And now for the real post -
Today was an interesting day. It proved to be one of "expect the unexpected" ... or rather "not expecting the unexpected." I had a plan for the day. Class. Class. Bank. Starbucks. Homework. Not very exciting, I know, but such is life. Class - check. Class - check. Bank - well, heres where the story begins.
On my way to the bank, traveling down Magnolia, I noticed a fairly young looking German Shepherd weaving in and out of the street, in front of cars. I think everyones response to this is "Oh puppy! Get off the street!" Then a thought process of should I stop? What would I do with her? Well, as these thoughts went through my head - all remaining unanswered, I pulled up to a light to turn left in attempts of catching her, just as she skipped by my car. She was scared and obviously confused - I couldnt leave her. I threw my car into park and got out of my car to call her, just as she stopped in front of a long line of cars. Luckily, she came to me and decided a ride with me wouldnt be too terrible. No collar, no visible identification... faaaantastic.
I called my mom, declaring I had a crisis on my hands. I dont think there was any surprise in her voice when she found out my crisis involved picking up a stray dog and needing a place to take her. So I drove to an animal shelter I remember passing one time. It was a nice, newer facility. I, literally, ran in, asking for a leash, then ran back to her... My last desire was to be that person who leaves their dog in their car. When I came back, she was sitting in my front seat... something I know I will see often in my life - a dog riding with me in my front seat.
Luckily, again, she let me put a leash on her. I took her in and held her while we waited to be called. Poor girl, she was so scared, but she was very sweet. At one point, an animal control-er noted she was animal aggressive when she barked at two Pitbulls outside. She hadnt made a peep when we first walked in to see a chocolate Lab... But now she was labeled "dog aggressive." I felt for her. Im sure she wasnt. But she couldnt tell him if she had canine friends back at home or if she frequents the dog park. And I was just a girl who found a dog, so my opinion wasnt valid. I told her Ive been called things Im not, too. I think we connected.
Once I was called, I only gave the woman my id, told her where I found her, and then I was done. She told the animal control-er he could take her and I instantly felt my eyes blink back tears. What the heck??? Ive been with this dog for an hour. Right?? I asked what happens with her... Yes, my curious mind never lets me walk away without being answered. She told me her owners had 7 days to pick her up, but then she would be theirs, and since she was labeled animal aggressive, they wouldnt be able to adopt her out. My heart sank. I looked at her, sitting next to me, still scared. Did I just deliver her to her doom?
She gave me a number to call to ask about her, but at that moment I wished I had never brought her. Fighting back tears, a helped the control-er put another leash on her, took off the one I had borrowed, and told her goodbye.
As soon as Id left, my strength was gone. I started crying, thinking about how scared she was, how she might not get a chance to be reunited with her family - or find a home - all because that stupid man had pinpointed her as animal aggressive. I got in my car and began to drive away, struggling with whether I had done the right thing. When the "right thing" may lead to a loss of life, how can that it be right thing?
My mom assured me owners usually call the local shelter if driving around is a bust. I tried to reassure myself that she looked as if she had been well taken care of, not malnourished at all. Hopefully owners who care that much about their dog will want to find them. But I was still upset. I mean, I just spent an hour with this dog, allowing her to trust me, allowing her to become dependent on me... then I leave her.
And, of course, the question of why in the world am I becoming a vet pops into my brain. If I cant be objective in a situation like that, am I in any condition to perform surgery, put a dog down? I began to reevaluate my life goal. Obviously, Im still evaluating. And Im trying to figure out why I was put in that situation. I believe those are delivered to us for a reason. But Im having a hard time finding the reason. Is this telling me I am striving towards the wrong dream? Is this just a preparatory situation? Why cant God hand out scripts for these things - explaining how were supposed to respond, why its happening, etc..??
I titled this blog Nameless. Honestly, I was at a loss for how to label this situation. This dog had a name, Im sure, but I didnt know it. Secretly, I named her. Of course, I didnt call her it - I know youre never supposed to give a name... But, of course... I did. Because even though I didnt know her name, she was never Nameless.
On my way to the bank, traveling down Magnolia, I noticed a fairly young looking German Shepherd weaving in and out of the street, in front of cars. I think everyones response to this is "Oh puppy! Get off the street!" Then a thought process of should I stop? What would I do with her? Well, as these thoughts went through my head - all remaining unanswered, I pulled up to a light to turn left in attempts of catching her, just as she skipped by my car. She was scared and obviously confused - I couldnt leave her. I threw my car into park and got out of my car to call her, just as she stopped in front of a long line of cars. Luckily, she came to me and decided a ride with me wouldnt be too terrible. No collar, no visible identification... faaaantastic.
I called my mom, declaring I had a crisis on my hands. I dont think there was any surprise in her voice when she found out my crisis involved picking up a stray dog and needing a place to take her. So I drove to an animal shelter I remember passing one time. It was a nice, newer facility. I, literally, ran in, asking for a leash, then ran back to her... My last desire was to be that person who leaves their dog in their car. When I came back, she was sitting in my front seat... something I know I will see often in my life - a dog riding with me in my front seat.
Luckily, again, she let me put a leash on her. I took her in and held her while we waited to be called. Poor girl, she was so scared, but she was very sweet. At one point, an animal control-er noted she was animal aggressive when she barked at two Pitbulls outside. She hadnt made a peep when we first walked in to see a chocolate Lab... But now she was labeled "dog aggressive." I felt for her. Im sure she wasnt. But she couldnt tell him if she had canine friends back at home or if she frequents the dog park. And I was just a girl who found a dog, so my opinion wasnt valid. I told her Ive been called things Im not, too. I think we connected.
Once I was called, I only gave the woman my id, told her where I found her, and then I was done. She told the animal control-er he could take her and I instantly felt my eyes blink back tears. What the heck??? Ive been with this dog for an hour. Right?? I asked what happens with her... Yes, my curious mind never lets me walk away without being answered. She told me her owners had 7 days to pick her up, but then she would be theirs, and since she was labeled animal aggressive, they wouldnt be able to adopt her out. My heart sank. I looked at her, sitting next to me, still scared. Did I just deliver her to her doom?
She gave me a number to call to ask about her, but at that moment I wished I had never brought her. Fighting back tears, a helped the control-er put another leash on her, took off the one I had borrowed, and told her goodbye.
As soon as Id left, my strength was gone. I started crying, thinking about how scared she was, how she might not get a chance to be reunited with her family - or find a home - all because that stupid man had pinpointed her as animal aggressive. I got in my car and began to drive away, struggling with whether I had done the right thing. When the "right thing" may lead to a loss of life, how can that it be right thing?
My mom assured me owners usually call the local shelter if driving around is a bust. I tried to reassure myself that she looked as if she had been well taken care of, not malnourished at all. Hopefully owners who care that much about their dog will want to find them. But I was still upset. I mean, I just spent an hour with this dog, allowing her to trust me, allowing her to become dependent on me... then I leave her.
And, of course, the question of why in the world am I becoming a vet pops into my brain. If I cant be objective in a situation like that, am I in any condition to perform surgery, put a dog down? I began to reevaluate my life goal. Obviously, Im still evaluating. And Im trying to figure out why I was put in that situation. I believe those are delivered to us for a reason. But Im having a hard time finding the reason. Is this telling me I am striving towards the wrong dream? Is this just a preparatory situation? Why cant God hand out scripts for these things - explaining how were supposed to respond, why its happening, etc..??
I titled this blog Nameless. Honestly, I was at a loss for how to label this situation. This dog had a name, Im sure, but I didnt know it. Secretly, I named her. Of course, I didnt call her it - I know youre never supposed to give a name... But, of course... I did. Because even though I didnt know her name, she was never Nameless.
Oh my gosh I'm totally sitting here at work on hold with the pharmacy crying reading this. I'm praying right now that if she is still there that she is found today! You will be a great vet C. Your compassion will make you a great vet. It's ok to cry with dog families in hard times. You make a difference and you rescued that doggie from getting hit by a car or something. And someday youll rescue a few to be your very own! Love you!!
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