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Born to be a<br />
pet parent<br />
PET TALK<br />
by Glenn Kalick, DVM<br />
My receptionist came into the office to tell me that Mr. D.<br />
was in room 4 to talk to me. I asked the receptionist if Mr.<br />
D. got a new pet because his Labrador, Alice, was put to sleep<br />
about a month ago due to cancer. I remember the appointment<br />
vividly. The whole family showed up, we said a prayer,<br />
and probably used up a box of Kleenex with all the tears shed.<br />
My receptionist said that Mr. D was by himself and he was not<br />
acting himself.<br />
When I went into the room Mr. D. was very emotional. He told<br />
me that he didn’t cry as much when his daughter went to college<br />
or when his grandparents passed away. He also told me<br />
that his wife didn’t want him to get another dog because it was<br />
too soon and he was too attached to Alice.<br />
Mr. D. had a special relationship with Alice. Mr. D. owned a<br />
business across the street and he and Alice went to work<br />
together every day. I was told a story when Mrs. D. was forced<br />
to sit in the back seat because Alice would make such a<br />
fuss sitting in the back seat. Mr. D. brought Alice over to the<br />
shopping center every day while he got lunch and everyone<br />
in the plaza knew Alice. If Alice had a hiccup or didn’t eat her<br />
breakfast with gusto he brought her in to see me. When the<br />
family went on vacation and Alice could not go, I would open<br />
the hospital early to accommodate Alice in our largest Key<br />
West suite to board her. Mr. D. also brought Alice chicken fillets<br />
for treats when she boarded, which made my kennel<br />
staff smile.<br />
Mr. D. was depressed. His travel, office, and lunch partner<br />
was gone. He walked Alice a few times a day and she slept<br />
next to him at night. I tried to explain to him the magnitude<br />
of his loss and how much his life changed. It was completely<br />
understandable to my staff and me as we all missed Alice. Mr.<br />
D. wanted a new dog, but the family did not want to see Mr. D.<br />
go through the emotional turmoil again. He wanted my advice,<br />
and it was interesting for me because I never met his family<br />
until the day of the euthanasia because Mr. D. did everything<br />
for Alice.<br />
I sat down next to Mr. D. and told him that Alice reminds me<br />
of my favorite dog, Connor. He is a great dog with the soul of<br />
a saint. He is my companion from the time I get home to the<br />
minute I go to work. Even with a fulfilled life, the thought of<br />
the day when Connor was not going to be part of my life was<br />
terrifying. I have two other Goldens and I love them both, but<br />
they are not Connor. I understand completely the love he had<br />
for his Alice.<br />
I told him that there is a dog out there waiting for him. He told<br />
me that he found a Labrador online who needed a home and<br />
he was going to get him. I asked if he had a name picked out.<br />
“Cooper,” he said. Mr. D. told me that he was a musician and<br />
the name seemed appropriate. I didn’t understand. He looked<br />
amazed and said Alice Cooper was his favorite singer when he<br />
was a kid. I get it now.<br />
Glenn Kalick, DVM. Visit www.BrooksideVet.com.<br />
BROOKSIDE ANIMAL HOSPITAL<br />
954-755-5540<br />
10625 Wiles Rd.<br />
Coral Springs<br />
In Brookside Square<br />
www.brooksidevet.com<br />
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