Just now at the vets...

[boxtops]

I went to the vets just now to order Rover's repeat prescription, and while I was at the counter a woman rushed in, beside herself in tears, with an old Westie in her arms, wrapped in a towel - clearly not very well. I don't know what had happened, whether it was an RTA or an accident or what (and you couldn't ask) but the staff just responded as if it were an ambulance crash team, everyone was suddenly there for her. The woman and the dog went in with the vet, we could still hear crying, and those of us in the reception were somehow stunned and moved. I came home and had a weep - I felt so much for that woman's distress.

No answers needed, I just needed to tell someone.

[TheOtherHalf]

Yes vets are wonderful despite the awful programme the other day. I can imagine you and everyone there really feeling for the owners. I would. I do when I see a dead cat at the side of the road

[pastafreak]

That just gave me a big lump in my throat...........I do hope the Westie is well

[woofgang]

Yes I have seen similar at our vets. All you can do is hope and pray for the dog and owner and give your own pet a big hug.

[Greedyfly]

What a lovely post. It's nice to think our pets are treated with as much importance as we are by people other than ourselves. I would be heartbroken if my kitty was injured/dying.

[boxtops]

Thank you - it's nice to know it's not just me, I am filling up again. We came back from holiday a few years back to find a message on the answerphone from the same vets, our little female cat had been struck by a car and killed outright, some roads away from here - a kind lady had taken her body to the vets, which was such a generous thing to do - thanks to the microchip, the vets knew she was ours. They kept her until we came back, and were so so kind when we went to see her, and make arrangements. I wrote a letter to the local paper to thank that lady - OH thought I was daft but I just had to - without her we might never have known what had happened to our Fizzy.

[merciasounds]

The vets we have for the farms in Devon and back in Brum for our doggies are wonderful! I DO hope that poor dog was okay, and the poor lady. it's very upsetting when something like that happens - some poeple just don't realise that the loss of a pet can be akin to a human loss for some people. I cringe when I hear - it was ONLY a cat or a dog, but when it's a person's only companion the animal is so much more than just a cat or dog.

[pastafreak]

Oh god boxy...that's terrible, but such considerate vets....now I am really welling up......x

[Greedyfly]

It's also nice to know some people care enough to take dead pets to the vets also. My cat/kitten was missing for months and we had no idea what had happened until they cut the long grass by the road near by and there he was. So sad.

We once moved house and our cat got lost during the move. We moved to another town and after a few weeks of us going back and forth trying to find him we gave up hope. A few months later we heard an appeal/advert on our local radio station. A lady had found our cat and had been looking after him and feeding him all that time whilst trying to find us. I was so greatfull she had taken such good care of him.

[boxtops]

GF that is a lovely story. I am grateful to you all for understanding - this event today was nothing to do with me, but it really welled me up.

[Greedyfly]

I love animals. I saw an injure goose the other day and was outraged by the RSPCA and their lack of care. If I could have helped it myself I would have.

Pets are part of the family. My cat is my substitute child as sad as that may be. I love him and will be devastated when the inevitable happens.

It would have upset me too.

[boxtops]

I'm afraid that the RSPCA have had a lambasting on here recently for their attitude when they've been called (and they still always ask you about setting up a direct debit!). My vets is part of a chain, not thankfully the one on TV the other night - but we trust them with our animals. Mine don't like going, but I have never experienced anything but kindness and genuine interest there - they even rang me at 10pm each night when they were doing the night rounds, just to report that Rover was OK, when he had to stay in for treatment.

[NoMercy]

Oh blimey... I hope the poor little thing makes it.

[pastafreak]

Can you tell me what was on the telly the other night.....?

[Greedyfly]

I never saw the programme but I am not liking the sound of it. What were the chains?

I would like to check my vet out!

[boxtops]

pasta, it was an undercover story about a chain of vets in the UK, and highlighted instances where care and procedures were being given by unqualified staff. Filmed with a hidden camera by a reporter working as a nursing assistant, there was lack of care, laughing and pushing around at the animals while they were semiconscious, struggling to intubate them or to put in i.v devices. All the animals recovered from their treatment but it showed distinct lack of compassion and the use of untrained staff for clinical procedures. One of the vets was struck off.

[boxtops]

GF, it is the Medivet chain, see the report here. Don't watch the clip if you don't want to. http://news.bbc.co.uk...d_8842000/8842399.stm

[Greedyfly]

How awful. I won't watch but I will be checking my vet out. Although so far they have been nothing but great with my pets.

Thanks Boxy

[Greedyfly]

None near me thank god.

[wolf63]

My local vets practice looks the same as it did about 30 years ago. But I trust them with my little furry bairns and that is what counts.

It is a difficult job - patients who could, potentially, injure you severely, language barrier with patients, different species, lots of diseases and, the worse bit, humans to deal with.

Hello/meow/mah to Rover from Frankie and Princess Merlin.

[horselady]

Poor dog and poor lady, I remember when one of my dogs ran onto railway lines after a rabbit and was killed in an instant. We phoned the vet to say we were bringing her over and you would have thought we were the most important people in the world, a cuddle for me, another one for my then 14 year old daughter and my poor dog lovingly wrapped in a blanket and carried away. They just let us sit there and sob as long as we wanted, supplying tea. Most vets are brilliant.