One death in the family's not enough

[draggonlaady]

So the family of the murdered man referenced in the last couple posts called the clinic today. They requested that I put to sleep all of the man's pets. I talked them out of the puppy and kittens. But Monday, I have to go put down the rest of the lot. To make things just a total logistical nightmare (as if mass euths are fun to start with!), they want me to come to the house, which means I have to take an assistant, because I'm not trusting my safety to people I don't know when it comes to holding dogs for things on their own territory (all of them are "aggressive breed" dogs too). Now, I drive a truck for work. I drive a truck, because I need said truck to haul around my "vetbox"...that big contraption that has the fridge and drug racks and all my equipment and takes up the entire truck bed. So I'll be putting myself and my assistant and the carrier for the kittens that I'm NOT killing in the cab. This would be fine, except that after all this is arranged, they called back and decided that they want the clinic to bury too! So now I not only have to go out and be Dr. Death, I have to haul all the bodies back to the clinic. Which means either dropping the tailgate and tying them on there, or lashing them all on top of the vetbox, because they certainly won't fit in the cab with the living.

Remind me, please, why I wanted this job?

Comments

[herdarkmistress.livejournal.com]

Hugs. Can you put down his family too. Bunch of twats. I can see the reason behind destroying aggressive breeds but innocence, grr. I hopee that your good days out do the bad.

[draggonlaady.livejournal.com]

Oh, i don't see the reason behind destroying "aggressive breeds". I put it in quotes, because saying that "aggressive breed" dogs are all aggressive is about as accurate as saying that "all colored folk are thieves."

The reasoning behind putting these particular dogs away is more likely that the youngest is 15. They all have multiple, chronic health issues.

But all that said, ANY dog is likely to be more defensive of themselves when a stranger comes to their house. Most vets will not do at-home euthanasias at all, because of the risk. I do them, but I charge massively more than if they brought the dogs to the clinic. Certain breeds in particular tend to be very territorial. And of course these are mixes of those breeds. So it just adds a bit more of a nervous "why am I doing this" factor to it.

The 2 that I've met in the clinic have been fine--but that doesn't mean they'll be fine at home. Especially since the woman who USUALLY takes care of them won't be there; she's left the area.

[sphynx-again.livejournal.com]

I can see the reason behind destroying aggressive DOGS. But as someone who is involved in pit bull rescue, I believe there are no aggressive BREEDS. Personally, I fear most herding breeds more than the so-called protection breeds! There may, however, be breeds which need more experienced and capable handlers. Like most Mastiffs. Though my friend's one year old English Mastiff puppy is so laid back and goofy, I think a 4 year old could handle her!

[draggonlaady.livejournal.com]

Exactly. I'd much rather deal with a pissed off Rottweiler than the vast majority of American Cocker Spaniels!

But it does give ya pause to be going onto the home ground of a set of chows, especially when you know that the owner they usually deal with won't be there... I would like to think that's more wise caution than stereotyping.

[herdarkmistress.livejournal.com]

Ok first off 'aggressive breeds' I read that as aggressive dogs my bad. My friend has a mastiff. That dog is so dumb its not funny.

[jacksontwobears.livejournal.com]

You wanted this job because you enjoy the company of animals and you like to help them feel better. In spite of their humans.

At least that's why I wanted the job.

[draggonlaady.livejournal.com]

point for you, you hit it on the head.

[sphynx-again.livejournal.com]

Uggh. What a horrible day. My vet just bought a new crew cab truck, that's what you need! So how many kittens do you now get to find homes for? And how old is the puppy?

[13fetters.livejournal.com]

no, sphinx, you can't have more kittens ;)

[sphynx-again.livejournal.com]

Lordy no! I've still got the last 3 bottle babies that haven't yet reached market weight, and I was just this week presented with another litter of 3 one-week old kittens!

[draggonlaady.livejournal.com]

but YOU can, right? ;)

[draggonlaady.livejournal.com]

2 kittens. one 5 months old, one 3. The local cat rescue will take them, I arranged that. It just torques me off that I had to arrange it... even after I gave the woman the phone number, she apparently couldn't be bothered to call.

Puppy is a bit over a year, they found a place for him (I don't know where/who).

[cheshirecatco.livejournal.com]

Because not all pet-owners are selfish jerks who want to take the past of least bother to themselves and because those of us who *do* care for our critters are very much comforted by knowing that there are professional, caring veterinarians out there to bring our animals to when they wee ones need help?

Either that, or it's the rock-star-like prestige. I forget which.

[draggonlaady.livejournal.com]

Oh, definitely the prestige :P

[cheshirecatco.livejournal.com]

Well, then you should vent your stress by trashing a hotel room, clearly. :-)

[sphynx-again.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, and you wanted this job for all the amusing stupid-people stories you get out of it. Like the following.

A young man had two female cats, one the daughter of the other. We had taken two litters of kittens this year from this same young man. He could not afford to spay his cats, but at least agreed it was the right thing to do. We gave him two $50 coupons to use at any local vet for the spays. He still could not afford it. Finally a local welfare agency contacted us and conned us into paying the full price to get both cats spayed. Well, he gets them to the clinic for surgery, and surprise-surprise, the 6 month old daughter cat is a boy! No biggie, costs less for us. But here's the fun part. The guy goes to pick up his cats, and is told the news. His question?

"What, in your professional opinion, indicated to you that this cat was a male?"

[draggonlaady.livejournal.com]

*snerk*

Um... the testicles?

[omnifarious.livejournal.com]

What a sad day and dangerous besides. :-( I think people do weird things sometimes when a family member dies.

[kresentia.livejournal.com]

Uck. Here's hoping they all go easily....