"Please, don't put me to sleep..."

*BEWARE! This post is not recommended for weak hearts*

Today was "the" day I did not cry when I would, normally...

This afternoon, a man walked in our clinic and asked for veterinary assistance as his dog was injured from a freak accident. The nurses helped to carry the wounded dog into the clinic for immediate medical assessment.

The good dog obediently let us assessed and manouvered him around although he was surely in a pityful and yet painful state. Neither did he bite anybody nor he bark at anyone of us. The faithful dog did not even let out a squeak.

The dog's hind leg was crushed revealing flesh and a generous view of broken bones. He suffered cuts and bruises here and there. He was in a serious condition needing more than just a vet's consultation. His badly damaged leg needs to be amputated.

And so, the veterianarian gave the owner 2 choices.

1. Save the dog's life [inclusive of medical fees]
2. Put the dog to sleep [inclusive of cremation]
   

As for the figures, it was just RM200 difference between the two options. The owner chose the second choice. He chose to end the dog's life. Instead of paying to save his life, the owner opted to pay for him to sleep.

The reason?
He said he had only kept the dog not long ago.

The atmosphere fell apart and silent prayers ensued for the lovely dog. The owner left upon his request to terminate the dog's life. Often, they do not realize how difficult it is to put them to sleep. The hardest part was for us to do it and to see him go...

As for the dog, I think he said,

"Please, don't put me to sleep..."

Life at a veterinary center

I had been helping out at a veterinary center for two weeks now. Working around the clock had me physically and mentally exhausted, but my sweat paid off well. The job was exhilarating as I had hands-on experience all the time.

Everyday I face ailing and sick animals coming into the clinic. Some cured from their illnesses and some succumbed to viral infection. Eventually, there are few cases where the best option is to ease their suffering and put them to sleep. It is, the best option available for the animal as presented by the professionals in that profession.



It is never easy to see the animals die after you had been nursing them ever since they were hospitalized. Setting them on IV drips, jabbing them with antibiotics again and again, force-feeding, giving them their medication, holding the struggling animals, applying antiseptics and alcohol solutions, putting them on general anaesthetics, putting muzzle on their gaping mouths, cleaning their discharge etc.



This is my daily routine. Believe me, none of those were easy to do. Every time, it was a proven struggle. I'm lucky that I managed to catch and insight of the daily happening in an eventful clinic. The veterinarians are very professional and knowledgable who helped me gain more than what I have personally seen and heard there.

Pets did not just waltzed-in to the clinic, they are the responsibilities of their own pet owners. Some are attentive and some are icy-cold. Pets who are blessed with good owners end up with proper lifestyle and care. Unfortunate ones would probably be lying in cages in the clinic, suffering from diseases or left there to die.

Being emotionally attached to them, I know, if these animals can choose, they would want to live a better live.

Pledge to help combat poverty!

Take up one of these pledges and make it your own.

(1) I donate useable books/clothes/food/furniture/electrical items to the needy ones so that they don’t have to spend money unnecessarily. They would have money to spare for their family’s healthcare.

(2) I kept recyclable items accordingly and gave them away to poor people so that they can earn some money from selling it.

(3) I snap pictures of poor people and kept them occupied with pleasant thoughts that reminded them that they are not poor in their hearts and souls.

(4) I visit their place and make myself comfortable at home to diminish the awkward boundary between the rich and poor. Visiting rural areas is one of my favourite activities to bond with folks from all walks of life. Keep them reminded that they can create miracles!

(5) I teach them how to manage their savings, recycle and reuse things, maintain their hygiene (sometimes scare them with facts on diseases etc) and invest for a better future. They do not have to be rich to live comfortably in their home.

(6) I guide them on family planning/management to help create a well-fed
family. The proper guidance will help them realize their responsibilities and
lift the extra burden off their shoulders.

(7) I reminded them how important their plantation/farms are to us and asked them not to give up on it. Education is the next tool in helping them to get creative to keep up with today’s modern technology.

(8) I teach young children not to be choosy or waste their food and relate to them just how important each and every grain left in their plates, am to the poor children in Africa.

(9) I appreciate food very much and never fail to finish up my share (and sometimes, other’s as well). When I cook, the servings are enough for my guests and leftovers are stored in fridge to eat tomorrow.

(10) I refuse to make it a habit to buy expensive ingredients to cook because I felt there is no need to do so. And I buy food only when necessary to avoid wastage.

(11) I make cakes/bread/cookies/etc for the poor and let them have a share of my food as well. In return, I’ll taste their food and be reminded of their daily lives.

(12) I regularly support local farmers of their products to encourage the development of a healthy and stable market.

(13) I taught myself not to look down on poor people because deep down inside, they are very rich indeed.

So, which is your pledge?

Blog Action Day : Skyrocketed food crisis

What does POVERTY, FAMINE, POOR, DISEASE and MALNOURISHED have in common?

They are brought about by economic rundown in their respective countries leading to food crisis and poor health status. Countries like Zimbabwe and Africa have been setting the clear cut examples being the center of poverty and famine since decades ago. Food is available in Africa. It’s just that, the people could not afford to buy it. Thus, many Nigerians eat weeds just to keep themselves from starving to death. Same fate falls upon the Haiti people who are feeding on mud as their staple diet.

What happen in the first place?

Lands fertile for farming and plantation were claimed for development, uprising demands for food for world’s growing population, change of weather (drought/flood), crops attack by pesticides etc. Some of the world’s rice production collapse unable to compete with new technology (i.e. Haiti). Illegal trading of harvested crops by traders to wealthier countries. Debts by poorer countries (i.e. Africa) and inflation. Mass urbanization of farmers into cities. [Source : celsias]

What are the consequences?

In these poorer than poor conditions, they couldn’t afford for food, what more to spare any money on healthcare? Diarrhea, malaria, AIDS, dehydration, malnutrition and many kinds of other diseases strike this community of poverty-stricken people. [Source : guardian.co.uk] Hygiene might not be generally practiced by poor people and children are often the victims of the dirty environment.

What is the concern?

The outburst of war, bioterrorism, food fraud and danger of facing famine worldwide. At the hike of the food prices and global economic redundancy, it is feared that food availability is doubted. Even if it is available, people may not be able to purchase the food. When prices of food shoot up the market, poorer ones could not hold on. More than 100 million Asians are expected to suffer from hunger misery due to the rise of staple food – wheat, rice, soya, maize since March 2007. [Source : Asianews]

The existing natural resources are not sufficient to sustain the entire world’s population. Let's face it; the food crisis is inevitable. And China’s melamine food crisis might just be the lesson to be learnt. Perhaps focus on the ongoing debate about GMOs??

I try to blame the internet for being out of service, thus rendering the delay of my entry.

:D

It's a Kampong Life !

I love the feel residing in a kampung [village].

This kind of satisfaction is ultimate and relaxing, far away from all the neverending buzz in the city.

So old and mystical, charming in their own aesthetic ways.

Each village, has got it's own story, waiting to be shared.

A great place to capture un-uttered beauty as well!

It gives me a sense of overwhelming comfort, a sense of belonging.

I will never grow bored travelling to villages and rural areas, it's actually a fun outing for me!

And, it will always be.

Turning PINK for October

I am turning PINK !!!

You can join us too!