Sunday, June 12, 2005
Ashes, ashes, we all fall down
I picked up some ashes today.Yes, again, on my day off. I guess I should say that "day off" is a relative term in animal shelter life. P-man came with me as he always enjoys a ride in the car. The ashes belonged to the dog a friend. I euthanized the dog about 2 weeks ago. The dog was about 16, deaf, almost blind and unable to control bowels or walk much at all.
My friend was really struggling about what to do and we had many conversations about whether dogs feel pain and what 'quality of life' means. It was a tough call, but I think he did the right thing. And I hope I did the right thing by doing it for him and letting him be there. Normally, even though I am certified, I don't do this with clients present (since the vet clinic does it with a vet handling the procedure), but since it was my friend, I felt OK with it. He decided to get his sweet, old pooch cremated and was called to come pick up the ashes last week.
But since he is coming over today, a gorgeous Sunday, I picked up the ashes for him.
