It’s hard to say a last goodbye to old friends
Paisley vets Kerry Molloy, from Love Street Vets, and Neil McIntosh, of Abbey Veterinary Group, share their views with you every Thursday. Today, Kerry touches on how difficult it can be to say goodbye to a beloved pet.
It was hard last week.
We said goodbye to a few long-standing patients I have looked after, in sickness and in health, for a long time ... and it got me thinking.
Some of those patients I had known since they were tiny balls of fluff, their owners proudly showing off their newest addition to the family.
Over the years, I have got to know their unique ways – like the ones that run in straight to the treat cupboard and one wee dog who reverses into me to get her back scratched.
I have learned to see the subtle signs when they come in a little less enthusiastically, maybe holding themselves a little differently or their coat isn’t shiny as usual.
Their owners have been with me as a worried new graduate, then wobbling about pregnant with my children, sharing stories about our lives and, most recently, my move to Love Street and the labour of love over the past two years to bring my vision of a family practice to life with words of encouragement and laughter.
I have learned that my love of being a vet doesn’t just relate to my patients.
It’s also a deeply held sense of honour that I get to be part of people’s lives in moments of joy and vulnerability.
People always say to me, “I don’t know how you can do it” when referring to euthanising patients I have looked after for years. For me, being trusted to be part of the journey and being allowed to be with my patients and their owners at the end is a privilege.
I feel if I can provide dignity and peace to those animals who have loved and been loved unconditionally then it’s actually one of the most important parts of being a vet.
So this week, I want to say “Thank you” to the people who allowed me to be there at the end of a journey and I hope that by ensuring the last moments were peaceful and quiet, I made a bit of a difference.
Because you and your companions have made a difference to me over the years and made me a better vet.
I want to say ‘Thank you’ to the people who allowed me to be there at the end of a journey Kerry Molloy