Heartbroken, My dog Joe Options

[imissjoe]

Hi,my name is Debbie I have been a very proud and devoted pet owner of a yellow lab(Joe)for 6yrs what I'm about to tell you is very hard for me.I have three wonderful children, I have been married to a loving husband and father for 17yrs.Sounds perfect doesn't it?The events that have happened over the last 72hrs. has left a hole in our hearts and family forever.I found this site in hopes to find something anything to ease our pain.On Thurs.May 31,2007 we had a mini vacation of camping for our children,we were unable to take our dog Joe because of a no pet rule.We took Joe to our local vet./kennel for a short 4 day stay,we had peace of mind knowing Joe would be well taken care of,we said our goodbye's and left him there with sad eyes and sobs unaware that it would be our last time to ever see him again.We gave all the info.as to where we would be staying/cell phone numbers ect.and off we went.We spent 4 fun days in the sun boating,swimming,fishing,singing,the only thing that was missing was Joe.On the 4th day of June we returned very eagar to go pick up our dog.I called the kennel told them we would be there shortly to pick up Joe,the lady said to just hold the line a moment that the "Doc" needs to speak with you I said O.K. is there a problem?She then said he would call me back within a few minutes.I waited 30 minutes in horror,then my family and I drove like hell to the kennel,I demanded to know what was going on,the vet came out and told us Joe and 5 other dogs excaped the kennel on Sat morning about 9:30am.That they were able to recover all the dogs except our Joe.They then lied to me and told me Joe was seen earlier and that he was still on the proptery.So franticly we began to search for our Joe, it is now 2:00pm on Monday.We searched for Joe up untill 4:am Tues morning.We returned home for rest then cont. our search at 8:30 am Tues morning.We then went door to door asking everyone if they had seen Joe.We came upon a man with a black lab,and asked him and he told us a young couple that lives a street over had witnessed a yellow get hit by a car in front of the local Wal-mart on Sunday afternoon around 4pm.They turned around and stopped the traffic and got Joe out of the roadway and took him to another local vets. office.The couple beat on the door untill the someone finally came and let them in the office is normally closed on Sunday and thought they had lucked up and he would help Joe.They told him what had happened,and didn't have much money but would give him what they had if he would help them.The vet. then told the couple he would have to have the money up front in order to operate and stop the internal bleeding.The couple then call family and friends to try and get the money but they couldn't find anyone willing to loan them the money to try and save our Joe.The vet then turned them away with a pain pill,and told them to keep him quite he might make it.But they knew if Joe didn't get medical att.he would in fact die.So they took Joe home and called my Vets office and left a message on the emergency line but noone ever called.Joe bled to death on a blanked in the floor of their bedroom on monday June 4th at 1:30 am. I am very greatful for what they tried to do for Joe,and they are grieving as well.They took Joe and buried him at the edge of the woods on a country road and cried.As for me and my family we are lost.Joe can never be replaced,Joe will never be forgotten.The pain he suffered,has now became our own.Thank you for sharing our story,our loss,our grief.
I Miss Joe

[Mo&Maisie'sMom]

First, I am so, so sorry and I cannot imagine the pain you are feeling. I feel like I am going to be sick after reading this. This is a horrible, needless tragedy. Second, the "vet" who refused to treat him should be held accountable for his death, as should the kennel. I am absolutely sickened that the man who calls himself a "vet" turned away a suffering animal because of money. I am so angry at him right now that I am unable to even type the kind and sympathetic words you need to hear. I honestly can't imagine -you must be in shock. You have come to the right place, and all of us understand your grief and pain. This site has literally been my salvation since I lost my 11 year old American Bulldog in January. We will all be here to help you through this process. I wish I could hug you ..I know Joe's story is going to break many hearts here and evoke a lot of anger at that "vet". When the pain is less raw, please consider reporting him. What he did is considered cruelty, and he'll continue to behave that way until held accountable. In the meantime, all you can do is breathe, be kind to yourself, and do your best to get through the day minute by minute. And come to this site as often as you need to because we all care and we'll be here to support you.

I am saying prayers and sending love to you, your family, and sweet Joe..

[John B]

I am so sorry. That scenerio has got to be every pet owners nightmare whenever they have to leave their pet in someones care. I am so angry it isn't funny. I know you have a rough road ahead of you and you will get through it with your family support and ours, but by all means do not let that vet get away with this. What carelessness!! I am so pissed off. It's bad enough to lose a pet, but to lose one because of this kind of idiocy is inexcusable! Do not let them off the hook! That's my opinion anyway.

You are in my prayers for sure. You have every right to be devastated by this tragedy. Your Joe was taken way too soon. The poor baby. I am so sorry.

John B

[xrayspex]

I am very sorry for your loss. I felt (and still feel) great anger when I read your story. Someone one should be held accountable and responsible for this mistake. I would want to get "even". If it was a "human" that this happened to, this would imply negligence possibly bordering on the criminal type. Since it is an animal it will no doubt be minimized. I would give both these "vets" (and I use that term loosely) all the bad press I could muster from exposure on the internet to driving around town with their names & crimes painted on my car if I had to, both of them.

Again I feel truly sorry for you in this time of terrible grief. Please know that I will be thinking of you.

[toonie]

Debbie, this is terrible, I am so so sorry for all of you in your family and especially for you Debbie because I sense that you and Joe shared a special bond on top of the bond that all the family shared with Joe. I can not even try to understand why such a thing would have happened to you and to your family. The way the nightmare started, with the dogs escaping during those particular 4 days, one could say that was fate... (eventhough the blame lies with the vets' for having had inadequate facilities) The way the nightmare continued with Joe being hit by a car , fate again....That Joe was taken care of by this lovely couple is your only comfort surely Joe felt better to be in their bedroom than all alone somewhere on a roadside. I know how it feels for you to wonder why, when all else is perfect must this awful thing happen. I just don't know, all I can say is that it has nothing to do with you, you took a very short vacation compared to what other families do, what can I say except that none of us understands why this had to happen that way. I know of another family like yours that left for a 10 days vacation and boarded their 8yr old dog at a kennel and the dog died of renal failure just the very morning they were supposed to pick him up; why? there again no idea.
It is very hard for you right now, but like John and Mo& Maisie's mom suggested, you should report these awful vets. I would not be able to keep my anger inside and would take action even through the tears and emotions...I would do so in order to avoid someone else having to deal with these people's heartlessness...knowing that if no one stops them, they will go on with their ways and someone else will suffer like you had to. You have a lot of reasons for anger. You have zero reasons for guilt. You did all that you could, it's these other #$%?&*(.)(.)_ who are to blame, I am so so mad at them....I am angry for Joe, for your family,for your children, for breaking your poor heart.....Perhaps all you can do is cry and grieve, if that is so don't be afraid to show your feelings, this is a family opportunity to learn to cope with the bad stuff by helping one another grieve, after all, we know we will not be immune to such things throughout our lives..still, it didn't have to happen with Joe, I know....Courage all of you, it is so very hard we grieve with you and for you.
I pray that you will not meet any more such monsters for the rest of your lives.
I hope that Joe has the power to send you strength to slay these dragons unless he prefers to just send you tons of love and strength from where he is now. He now has the ability to rest in your hearts, know this and seek comfort from there.
Take care. Let us know how things are going, we care and we share.

[imissjoe]

First, I am so, so sorry and I cannot imagine the pain you are feeling. I feel like I am going to be sick after reading this. This is a horrible, needless tragedy. Second, the "vet" who refused to treat him should be held accountable for his death, as should the kennel. I am absolutely sickened that the man who calls himself a "vet" turned away a suffering animal because of money. I am so angry at him right now that I am unable to even type the kind and sympathetic words you need to hear. I honestly can't imagine -you must be in shock. You have come to the right place, and all of us understand your grief and pain. This site has literally been my salvation since I lost my 11 year old American Bulldog in January. We will all be here to help you through this process. I wish I could hug you ..I know Joe's story is going to break many hearts here and evoke a lot of anger at that "vet". When the pain is less raw, please consider reporting him. What he did is considered cruelty, and he'll continue to behave that way until held accountable. In the meantime, all you can do is breathe, be kind to yourself, and do your best to get through the day minute by minute. And come to this site as often as you need to because we all care and we'll be here to support you.

I am saying prayers and sending love to you, your family, and sweet Joe..

Thank you all very much,we share a great bond and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.I didn't get much sleep last night,the nightmares seem to be worse.I've spent most of the morning trying to choke down a single cup of coffee,I must have heated it a million times now.The pain in my heart is so bad,I think I'm going to need some medication for awhile.My hands are trimbling,along with my insides,I just can't find breath without sobbing.All I can think about is the pain my Joe suffered. This is really hard for me to tell you but I recieved a call this morning a lady called the radio station and reported that she saw a dog this morning in her front yard that had on a blue collar and looked to be lab,they gave her my number she called and told me where she had seen the dog and described him.I thanked her,and even knowing it wasn't my Joe,I drove around untill I found the dog.He belonged to a man that lived 4 blocks over from the lady that called me.I got out of my car and sat on the lawn by this strange dog and cried.I never spoke a word to the man.As I held his dog he said I'm so sorry.I wondered back to my car and drove on home.I feel like I'm just going to die!I never knew one had so many tears. I MISS JOE SO VERY MUCH

[John B]

I MISS JOE SO VERY MUCH

I know you do. Even with all of the tragedy involved the hardest thing will be that Joe is no longer with you physically. This will take time. Medication can help, but talking to loving and empathetic people can help even more to get through this grieving process.

Let us know how you are doing, ok?

[michelles kitty]

debbie i am so sorry for your loss of joe. a vet takes an oath like a medical doctor to help and protect and care for animals regardless. what both vets did was cruel and heartless, the first vet should have been honest with you from the start. the second vet should have taken in joe and tried to save him. i would be the first to file a complaint with the vma..vetenariary medical association. and like john said i would be the first to make it known that they are the worst vets to go to.

sweetie i wish you peace in your heart and healing. you came to the right place we understand what you are gong thru. take heart in knowing we are here for you always and will never let you down. come here as often as you like or as often as you need too..there are some wonderful loving people here..including me to listen or even offer a cyber shoulder for you to cry upon. im getting teary eyed and its hard to see the computer..
much love
michelle

[Mo&Maisie'sMom]

Although my situation was different, I know all too well the gut wrenching pain you're feeling. We all do. When Mo died I didn't know what to do with myself - I alternated between shock, despair, anger..every emotion but happiness. It was truly the worst experience of my life. The only thing I could do was take a shower. I must have taken 15 showers a day for the first few weeks. I felt like someone ripped off a limb. I had nightmares, as well - and Mo went peacefully. Your situation is too much for a loving mother to bear. I did get a prescription to help with the anxiety and insomnia so that I could function again. It did help with the most acute stage of the grief. You have just been through a horribly traumatic event.. some people only associate trauma with a brutal attack or something..not the case. The sudden loss of Joe in such a tragic way is just as traumatic. I've been thinking of you and Joe constantly since you first posted - it infuriates me that people can be so cruel.

Please keep posting whenever you need to and we will keep checking and responding. I know this is awful and the pain is immeasurable, but you're in the best hands for support, understanding and sensitivity...this is where I come with the confidence that no one will say the wrong words or cause me more pain.

Please try to take one minute at a time..and cry as much as you need to.

Sending you love,

Jen

[MelissaL]

Wow, my heart goes out to you. I dont know how that man ( I dont even want to call him a vet) could turn away an animal in need. He needs to be reported! But with all this heart ache its nice to hear that those people did what they could and tried to help him. Its nice to know that there are kind, good, caring people out there.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish I could absorb some of the pain for you. Please take comfort in the fact that you gave him a good life and he knew how much you loved him and he loved you back. Im a strong believer in remembering the good times and try not to dwell on the bad as hard as that may be.

[Daisy's Mommy]

I think that when a pet dies like yours did it is much harder to deal with than when one dies from natural causes. You have to deal not only with the terrible grief, but also with the terrible anger at the negligence and cruelty that killed your beloved friend. First, the negligence of a kennel that let 5 dogs escape, and then the cruelty of an evil man, who is not fit to be called a vet.

I think it would help your anger and also prevent further deaths if you take action against those who did these wrongs. I am not someone who generally believes in suing people. But, I really think that you should sue the kennel. If you go to small claims court, you probably don't even need a lawyer. It is immaterial whether you recover anything. What matters is that the kennel will have to take time off to answer for their negligence. As to the "vet", you should definitely report him. I would also call him or write him and let him know that his callousness and greed killed a wonderful dog and caused great grief to your family. It is unbelievable that a vet would not treat a dying dog, brought in by good samaritans. Tell everyone you know what happened so that they can write to the vet also. If you let people on this site know who he is, many may want to write also. He will not change out of understanding of the evilness of his actions, but maybe he will change if he thinks that the community doesn't approve and that he will lose business.

Anyway, I am terribly sorry for your loss. Take what comfort you can from knowing that your baby had a good life with you until the end, which is more than many dogs have in our society.


Daisy's Mommy

[Lucy1Josie2]

Dear Debbie,

I don't know what to say, except I'm so so very sorry for what happened, for what Joe went through, and what you all are going through. I'm crying so right now, I can hardly see the keyboard to type.

You have my very deepest sympathy. I'm just so sorry.

-- Michelle

[KaseysMom]

Ohh Debbie, what a heartbreaking story. I am like everyone else in tears and angry for you and your Joe! I am so sorry your going through this and I am so sorry you lost your Joe.
I can tell you that people do not understand some human furbaby bonds, I dont think they can help it there just wired different I have found myself,wishing they understood,trying to help them understand, to no avail , I have giving up, I dont need them to care or understand my pain, my loss, I will never again try and justify loving my baby so much that my heart is ripped to shreds,its just to painfull to do so. just this morning my neighbor asked "how you doing?" and not crying I said ok I miss the baby his reply "Still?"
Come here Debbie and type your fingers off! I feel like its the only place I can speak freely and though I cry oh so much its such a release to know that the kind people that are here understand, and even though theres nothing anyone can do, you know there reading, shareing, and truley(unfortuneately)understand your pain. you have to get it out over and over again as much as it hurts.
I feel such greatfulnes to the couple that stayed with your baby, what a heartwrenching ordeaal it must have been for them not being able to save that precious life, what a warm and unselfish thing to do.
The vet should be put in a cage and let you and some of us here see to his care! It's all about the money,be heartend by that fact that Dr.s like that would do the same with the human breed!
I just wish I had some words that would comfort,but I can't come up with any. please know I am thinking of you and I wish your heart peace in the fact that your Joe was so loved while he was here and that he loved you and still does.
Hugs ((((((((((((((((DEBBIE))))))))))))))))))) I am so sorry
Carolyn

[KaseysMom]

I forgot to ad Thank you so much for your kind words when your going through such a terrible time.thank you!
Carolyn

[Chaos, my little...]

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. There are no words to express the outrage that I feel at BOTH vets, and the kennel. I would like to email the one vet that refused to treat your boy (and the ironic thing of it is, had he operated and attempted to treat him, he would have gotten paid for it as soon as you were aware of what had happened!). Let us know what his clinic's name is, and we can write a strongly worded letter to him and sign it.

[Guest_la77_*]

What a horribly tragic ordeal. I'm so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.

[John B]

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. There are no words to express the outrage that I feel at BOTH vets, and the kennel. I would like to email the one vet that refused to treat your boy (and the ironic thing of it is, had he operated and attempted to treat him, he would have gotten paid for it as soon as you were aware of what had happened!). Let us know what his clinic's name is, and we can write a strongly worded letter to him and sign it.

Sounds good to me. I'm in.

[lucky]

my vets have taken in strays,treated strays and found homes for pets that owners no longer want.you need to pursue this and get some answers.the kennel should be liable for the distress and hell that you are going thru and as for the vets,you need to publicly humiliate them for what they have done.it,s the most disgusting thing i have ever heard.vets take up there profession thru share love for animals,to turn your joey away when it needs urgent treatment is unbeleviable,and should be struck off.find out who governs veterinary practices and take it up with them.if they had done that to one of mine i would of burnt the place to the ground.i know what it,s like to lose them but you need to get to the bottom of this for the love of your friend do you,ll never be able to move forward

[Hani&Bruno]

It is such a terrible loss... It gave me the shivers while I was reading this story of yours that should not have happened. Oh, poor poor boy Joe! I also agree to Chaos's suggestion. I do think this vet should be held accountable and learn a very important lesson. I am so sorry and please know your Joe, you and your family will be in my prayers!

[kimm]

Dear Debbie,

I am so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what you are going through right now. The fact that Joe could have been helped by a vet, A VET, and was turned away......that is beyond horrible. Thank God for that wonderful couple who did everything they could to help him.

Like many others here, I agree that the vet (mainly the one who turned Joe away for lack of funds) should take some kind of legal responsibility. At the very least, they will get some negative press & hopefully handle this type of situation differently in the future, and encourage other vets to follow suit. This should never, ever happen again to anyone, to any animal.

Debbie, keep in touch with us, we are here for you.