Another thought...

Beth is right - don't hold it all in.

VIN is always here for you, no matter the day or time.
Thanks for posting your case and questions - I don't think I'm the only experienced doctor who has had to stop and think about what we are doing now, and how much we've changed over the past years, and to re-establish why we are doing this. Like Amy said, there are times when all the grief and frustration is made worthwhile by the joy on the client's face when his or her pet walks into the lobby, tail wagging. One such was an 11 year old bloat that was still groggy from surgery the last time the owner saw him, and eight hours later, when the owner returned to transfer the pet, prepared to carry the dog out, we told him there was no need for that kind of physical exertion on our part. He almost cried with shock when the old boy came trotting out at the furthest end of his leash, happy and excited to see his owner, and literally dragged said owner out the door. The look in the man's face made our whole holiday season (this was just before Thanksgiving) and more than made up for all the negative outcomes up to that point.

Paula, I do think just by your posts that you are already a great veterinarian and will be a huge asset to our profession. Congratulations in advance on your graduation, and welcome to the wonderful wide world of veterinary medicine!

Julie GildemeisterAnimal Emergency Clinic of RockfordRockford, Illinois