Tonight I had to collect more of Saffron's tinkles and run it over to the vet to be tested again for a urinary tract infection. Although she's much better, it hasn't completely cleared out and she's on antibiotics for another seven days. (For those of you keeping count, this UTI has cost me $70 in tinkle tests and another $70 in meds.)
It turned out Crazy Julie had a vet appointment for her kitty tonight at the same vet so we went over together.
As Jules was waiting her them to take Raquel for her appointment and I was waiting for the results of the tinkle test, the normal sounds of the vet waiting room -- meows and howls -- was broken by heartbroken screams.
Screams like that at the vet can only mean one thing.
A young girl who appeared to be about 14 or 15 came out of one of the exam room and sat sobbing on a bench in the waiting area. Her entire body shook and tears were streaming down her face. She looked around the room as she cried.
Everyone looked away. I hope to think they didn't want to make her feel worse by staring.
I could hear her mom crying and screaming in one of the exam rooms.
We live in a cynical world where no one interferes anymore, but that's not my style. I couldn't let that poor baby sit there all alone.
I went over to her and sat down on the bench next to her. She looked and me and said they were putting her cat to sleep; that he had a tumor in his abdomen.
I rubbed her upper back and told her that it would be okay. Her cat would no longer be in pain and that one day her sadness would subside and she'd remember her cat without feeling sorrow.
She went back in the room a bit later and I went out to have a smoke. The girl and her mom came up to me in the parking lot. I must admit I had a moment of fear that the mom would be annoyed I interfered. But they both thanked me for being there for the girl.
The world doesn't have to be a cynical place. Sometimes you need to reach out and comfort a stranger. You never can tell who's going to need you.
My title is from Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel. It is my song for my brother, Christopher. It has made me think of him for as long as I can remember and he even included it the playlist at his wedding so we could share a dance to it.
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5 comments:
ohhh... you, cousin, are awesome.
Jen, How did you ever maintain your composure? I would have lost it. That's a hard spot to be in, and you did the perfect thing.
I hope Saffy is okay.
I guess I kept it together because I had to.
Saffron is Saffron...I think she's alright. She's still having panic issues, but the UTI is almost gone.
What a night! I'm drained.
You sooo did the right thing! I think you deserve a big hug!
We should all be so lucky to have a kind stranger when we need one.
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