Our Golden Retriever, Grace, was cared for throughout her life by the staff at Darwin Veterinary Centre.
Many dogs have only a limited experience of building up a relationship with veterianary staff... Read More
Our Golden Retriever, Grace, was cared for throughout her life by the staff at Darwin Veterinary Centre.
Many dogs have only a limited experience of building up a relationship with veterianary staff, but this was not so with Grace. She was a lively, generous natured creature,who loved people and animals and enjoyed life to the full, but from a tiny puppy had the unfortunate habit of regurlary needing veterinary services. She aquired several condition, some on going and potentially serious, that required expert diagnosis, advice and treatment or surgery This we received from the centre. Information was clearly communicated and options of different ways forward offered and evaluated with a suggested prognosis. This helped so much for owners are so dependant upon the veterinary staff to guide them in making the right choices in the welfare of their pets.
Over the years Grace had several operations and became a familiar figure at the centre. She became use to the routine and would automatically step on to the scales to be weighed as we entered the consulting room! She recognised the nurses and Sonja her vet and enjoyed being fondled. Although she objected to having her ears cleaned ( one of her less serious conditions) she was rewarded with praise or a chew, which meant a positive association.
Grace overcame a great deal in her eight years but allowed herself to drift into a peaceful painfree place at11.30 pm on Easter Saturday, when she did not survive an emergency operation. That day is still an awful blur to us both, that we are still working through, but we are grateful for the care and comfort that we recieved from Mark the vet and Kylie the nurse who fought for Grace's life, but probably recognised, what we did not, when that life would no longer allow Grace to be Grace . Then they gently provided for those final precious moments; as we stroked our girl and assured her of our love and that it was ok to go, We said our final thank you; for eight wonderful years, for being our Grace ,always so trusting, forgiving and lovng.
What more can I add . This is veterinary service above and beyond the extraordinary!
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