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Heartbreaking Post On Euthanasia From A Vet That Has To Perform It Goes Viral
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Heartbreaking Post On Euthanasia From A Vet That Has To Perform It Goes Viral

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Whenever we have to let go of our beloved pets, the pain is unbearable. In fact, the emotions overwhelm us so much, we forget about the rest of the world. And that’s only natural. But many times, there’s someone sharing the hurt. In the cases of euthanasia, for example, it’s the carrier of death. Recently, Brenda Gough from Burford, Ontario penned an emotional Facebook post, explaining how the vets feel when pushing the needle into our little buddies, taking them to the other side.

Brenda’s honesty is vivid in every word of the text, which has already received over 112K reactions and 123K shares. And while it can’t bring back our pets, knowing that there’s somebody who’s going through the crushing experience with you might just make it a little bit easier.

More info: Facebook

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Brenda is a small animal veterinarian, mostly dealing with dogs and cats, and owns an equestrian facility. “I have been a veterinarian for 24 years, and I grew up in a vet clinic as my dad was a vet as well,” she told Bored Panda.

Usually, she carries out one or two euthanasias every week. “I [also] have had the rare occasion where there are 3-4 in one day and that is really hard on me and my staff.” After these experiences, Brenda tries to make sure she gets some alone time – vacations, time with family (who are really supportive of what she does).

“The thoughts I’ve shared in my Facebook post have been on my mind for awhile, but that night they just came out – I sat down and wrote them in under five minutes – the words just flowed, real and raw and unplugged.”

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“I honestly didn’t mean to cause so many people to ugly cry,” Brenda added. “It wasn’t my intent to have this go viral – it clearly struck a chord with people all over the world. I have had kind messages from New Zealand, Texas, British Columbia, to name just a few places far far away that it has reached. I am just a vet in Brantford, Ontario.”

She also pointed out that suicide rates are extremely high among veterinarians and veterinary caregivers. “It is my sincerest hopes that veterinarians everywhere will read the incredibly positive comments (there are over 25,000!) and know that they are loved, needed, and very much respected. If reading those comments will save even one life, then it is worth it.”

As difficult as this topic is, it has a brighter side. Every year, 6.5 million animals enter U.S. animal shelters – 3.3 million dogs and 3.2 million cats. Also, 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized every year (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats). And even though this number can seem shockingly high, it actually has been declining. For example, back in 2012, the total figure was 2.6 million while in 2009, it was 3.7 million. During the 1970s, the number of cats and dogs euthanized in the U.S. stood even higher – at over 20 million.

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Since then, large-scale activism, industry professionalization and shifting cultural attitudes have helped limit euthanasia, The New York Times said. “Society is no longer willing to say, ‘Well, there’s just too many animals and not enough homes,” Richard Avanzino, a longtime activist known as the father of the “no-kill” movement, stated.

“Rescuing an animal has become a badge of honor,” said Matt Bershadker, the president and chief executive of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “People proudly go to dog parks and walk around their neighborhoods talking about the animal that they rescued from a shelter.”

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    Here’s how people reacted to the emotional post

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    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

    Read less »
    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

    Read less »

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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    Samantha C
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    please people, be in the room when your beloved animal goes. you are who they look for because they know something bad is about to happen. the vets are always super emotional as well and will blubber with you, but I think its super important your pet knows you were there until the end <3

    Grumble O'Pug
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never leave, as hard as it is, stay. The vet I use has a little room that you can stay with your pet for a while afterwards. I didn't leave for over an hour after I let my girl go this summer. It helped. I hope others have access to this.

    Load More Replies...
    Foxxy
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I could never be a vet, so much heartbreak. I held my beautiful dog 'Bubbles' when she was put to sleep and it was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever had to do. I didn't want to let her go but she had an aggressive cancer that was starting to constrict her breathing. This was over 5 years ago and I still miss her dearly.

    Tara
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m so sorry Foxxy. Holding your precious pet in your arms as life slips away is beyond horrific. RIP sweet Bubbles

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Samantha C
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    please people, be in the room when your beloved animal goes. you are who they look for because they know something bad is about to happen. the vets are always super emotional as well and will blubber with you, but I think its super important your pet knows you were there until the end <3

    Grumble O'Pug
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never leave, as hard as it is, stay. The vet I use has a little room that you can stay with your pet for a while afterwards. I didn't leave for over an hour after I let my girl go this summer. It helped. I hope others have access to this.

    Load More Replies...
    Foxxy
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I could never be a vet, so much heartbreak. I held my beautiful dog 'Bubbles' when she was put to sleep and it was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever had to do. I didn't want to let her go but she had an aggressive cancer that was starting to constrict her breathing. This was over 5 years ago and I still miss her dearly.

    Tara
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m so sorry Foxxy. Holding your precious pet in your arms as life slips away is beyond horrific. RIP sweet Bubbles

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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