Alpana:
I don't know how Tilak feels. You know these pros see so much of these every day, they become immune to the emotions that they evoke in ordinary folks like me or you. But *I* do understand how you feel. We had a dog, Daisy, a beautiful English Cocker Spaniel. About four years back she suddenly died, within two days of getting sick, possibly due to effects of a long running autro-immune disease. Even though she was fine with monthly medication,she fell ill all of a sudden and was gone. Daisy's passing left our whole family devastated. Luckily Rudy was home from college that weekend, and he was the one who found Daisy dead on the kitchen floor and screamed--to awaken the rest of us to the tragedy. I said luckily, because Rudy would have been in horrible shape at college if we had to phone him with the news. I held my composure till next morning, when I took Daisy's body to the vet. for disposal. That is when I fell apart. And again later when I called the friends who helped us with recommending an English Cocker Spaniel pup , and finding one ( they are hard to find). And right this moment I am choking up all over again. To be able to deal with the death of a loved one, man or pet, is probably the hardest thing for the living. I might be like Tilok too, in that I don't know much about God and other such objects of faith. But I do realize how faith alone could help ease the pain of such loss. In situations like these, the blessed ARE the faithful (cm-Chapter 101, Verse -23) :-) c-da At 2:24 AM -0500 10/5/02, Alpana Sarangapani wrote: > Dear Tilok: Since you "chose" :-) to take this profession, I will >tell you a short story - a real life story. This story has nothing to do >with Assam, but might have everything to do with our (spiritual?) lives, >emotion, feelings. Am feeling very sad....about this incident that >happened (to me) today. Took Caesar (you know Sizar!), our dog, to the >veterinarian for his annual shots. While we were waiting in the waiting >room, a couple came with their dog wrapped in a towel - she was groaning >and barking with a high pitched voice. It was obvious and we knew she was >in pain, she wasn't taken there for a regular check up or shots >"renewal". So, the doctor came and called for Caesar. Then I thought, >even though we came in first, the other dog was in big pain, so >she should go in first and asked the doctor to take her in before us..and >so the doctor did. We did not hear her barking anymore, I just thought >that the doctor probably gave her some quick medicine (or a shot) to >relieve her (stomach pain, thats what I thought) pain. The wife took >a different exit carrying her (I think), and the husband came and paid at >the counter - so everything (sort of) looked normal. And after Caesar got >all his shots, I chatted a little and asked the doctor if the other dog >became alright and then she said: "we had to put her to sleep, she was >very old and was in a lot of pain". My God! I felt so terrible! Then I >realized the "meaning" of the whole incident - everything fell into place >- the couple sitting aloof and not even looking at us, the wife carrying >her and crying the whole time, and of course the dog "screaming" in >pain....and sadly enough, I hastened her death - by letting her to >be "seen" by the doctor before us....I took part in the whole >incident..her death....even though what was done, was it to save her from >her misery. I am so thankful to have a healthy young dog today, I >dread to even think of a day like this coming to me. I pray for her soul >to be with God..reminded me of the story where Yudhisthir reached heaven >with the dog that accompanied him on the road while he was on his way to >heaven......and here she went on her own. I could imagine how the couple >would feel tonight....for a long time, probably for their whole life! >You might be seeing a lot of these incidents everyday in your profession, >well, not exactly in your profession but with your peers', who are real >goru-doctors :-), seriously. Anyway, thank you for listening. I know you >don't believe in God, but thanks for understanding....am trying to get >rid of the guilt, as I feel I (although unknowingly) took a small part in >the whole incident. Hope you are doing well. Drop a line or two when >you get time. --baiti.
