I lost my dog Jake last year. It’s taken me a while to process the sadness of not having him around. He was my first dog, and we had nearly 11 wonderful years with him.
While I have many great memories of him, my last day with him is one I keep replaying. My family and I were away on vacation. Jake and I were up early, and I noticed that his nagging shoulder injury was really bothering him. So much so that for the first time ever, he didn’t finish his breakfast. I called a local vet, and they graciously agreed to see him that morning.
The doctor on duty was one of those amazing people who exudes kindness and competence right from the first hello. She quickly turned her attention to Jake, chatting with him throughout the exam, and then asked me if she could take a chest X-ray. “Oh, the issue is with his shoulder; it’s been bothering him for a bit. Our vet at home has him taking medication for arthritis. I was hoping you’d give a second opinion on how we might help him,” I offered.
“I’ll get the shoulder in the X-ray, but I want to look a little broader,” she replied. I quickly agreed, and she took him back to the machine.
In about 15 minutes, she returned. While her demeanor had shifted, her compassion was clear. She shared the X-ray on the light box, explaining that Jake had a tumor in his shoulder, and the cancer had likely spread rapidly throughout his lungs. She believed he was in a lot of pain, and the most loving thing we could do for him would be to put him down. I was stunned.
Tears immediately began streaming down my face. In that moment, the doctor shifted from caring for my beloved Jake to caring for me. She offered deep understanding and a clear plan. She suggested that she give Jake a shot that would relieve his pain. Then, she encouraged me to spend the day with him. She gently advised that we do some of his favorite things and share some of his favorite foods. Take time to say goodbye and then bring him back in the early evening. While she couldn’t take away my pain, she offered me the most heartfelt comfort.
Because of her leadership and guidance, we had the most amazing day with Jake. With the pain meds on board, his appetite came right back, and he enjoyed ice cream and a hamburger. An avid swimmer, he got one last day at the beach. My brother took this photo right after a little girl told me, “Your dog looks so happy!”
The day brimmed with emotions. My heart is still recovering. I have such gratitude for the veterinarian who was the right leader at the right time. Taking care of people and offering love and support is a gift we can all give. It’s what Jake gave our family each day of his life.
