There comes a time, surely in any job where all you really want to do is find a wall and beat your head against it a little. If that’s not on the cards, then maybe it’s sticking a post-it to you head that reads “Think before you talk” or wearing a t-shirt that says “I’m with stupid”.
One of the problems with being put in the position of being an advocate for animals is that sometimes people don’t like what you say or do. Sometimes it’s because they don’t really listen, sometimes it’s because they don’t understand and sometimes, I don’t know, sometimes they just don’t get it. I guess this is really no different to any other industry, there will always be difficulties to overcome. I think it’s probably also important to point that the vast majority of people that we see are really very interested and concerned by what happens to their pet and that’s what make the job so rewarding.
Nevertheless:
- If your friendly veterinary surgeon pulls strings to organise your pet a consultation with a specialist at very short notice, the correct action to take is… actually turn up.
- If you own an animal that has taken an intense dislike to everything and everyone inside a veterinary hospital and ranks “shredding people” at the top of it’s to do list, it will be given “happy drugs” to make it’s stay more pleasant and allow us to remove the sticky bandages from it. It’s not because we don’t like you. It’s not because we take every opportunity to charge you more money. It’s just like I’ve said before, we like to keep all our limbs intact.
- If you happen to be the owner of an animal that has been given “happy drugs”, consider whether “he’s too relaxed” is really something negative. Let the poor creature enjoy the purple mice on the ceiling for a little bit longer, yeah?
- As awesome as I am, I don’t always bring my crystal ball to work, nor are my x-ray fingers always functioning. Thus, I will sometimes require diagnostic tests and procedures to aid me in determining what ails your pet. I accept that this may be perceived as a sign of failure, even though I hope it makes me more like House but with few random diagnoses plucked from the air. I also accept that you’re convinced that I do this in order so that I may purchase my next BMW or personal jet but would like to invite you to view the staff car park and note the abundance of small sedans and hatchbacks greater than 10 years of age (my RX8 is in the garage…).