22/04/2026
There are days I find myself wishing I had chosen a different career than being a veterinarian… especially on the days I lose my patients.
Some of them were with me for over a year, part of my everyday life. Some I only knew for a few weeks. But the pain doesn’t measure time. It feels the same.
Enzo
A stray baby I was caring for. He was hit by a vehicle and became paralyzed. He never really liked human touch, and in his final days he was miserable. I had to make the hardest decision to help him pass peacefully. I still find myself wondering what I could have done better… how I could have protected him more.
Random
He wasn’t even my patient. He was terminally ill, and I just spent a little time with him each day near the end. I prayed that I would be there when he passed… and God answered that prayer. He waited for me. He died in my lap. Even though I knew it was coming, I couldn’t believe he was gone. I missed him deeply.
Blacky
I had known her for over a year. She wasn’t fond of human touch, except with her mom. But in her last few days, she became so gentle… so loving. She let me care for her, clean her, comfort her. That change meant everything.
Halwa
I knew her the longest. Over a year and a half of seeing her every day. I knew her time was coming when she started losing weight, but it didn’t make it easier. The cupboard she used to live in feels so empty now.
Panda
I didn’t know him for long, but I knew how deeply he was loved. I hoped he would recover so I could spend more time with him. On my way to see him one last time, I wished I had visited him more, gotten to know him better. But he knew. He trusted me. And before he passed, he gave the sweetest little meow… like he was saying goodbye.
People say animals’ lives don’t matter. I don’t believe that.
They matter just as much.
They’ve taught me so much… how to live simply, to stay positive, to make the most of what they have. They’ve helped me learn contentment.
I’m so grateful that God allowed me to know them, to care for them, to love them.
I pray they are happy, whole, and free now.
And I pray that no matter how hard it is to carry this grief, I will continue to show up for others like them.
