Continuing and a recent sleep

It has been a little crazy for a couple of years, but I think we're back in business.

I would like to relate a recent experience: my first witness of an animal being put to sleep that was not my own. I was helping out a local veterinarian with recovering animals from surgeries.

This was very unexpected. They were just spay/neuter surgeries and we were not expecting any illness amongst the animals. One kitten, however, had FLP that became apparent when her abdomen was filled with excess fluids.

The foster parents for the kitten were there and came in to say goodbye, grief-stricken and crying. I have to admit that I was perfectly capable of crying right along with them. I was quite impressed with myself when I was able to keep my composure and be a face of reassurance while the vet was explaining the situation to them. It is much different then being with my own animals, or a friends animals. It was more impersonal, but with hopes of relating to the people to provide comfort.

An experience to remember, I would just like to express that even though I thought prior to the event that I respected life in all forms, I found that My respect has increased a ten-fold. I don't know if there was something more that I saw in the cat or the parents, but it certainly had an effect on me.