As a passionate pet owner, each time I leave my furry companion at the veterinary clinic for her examination, I experience the sensation of something missing. Therefore, I continuously find myself ticking down the minutes until I can once again hold my sweet girl in my embrace.
Given that visits to the vet can be quite frightening for our furry companions, particularly when their appointment extends over a longer duration, it is essential for us humans to prioritize their collection as promptly as possible.
I assumed every pet owner shared this sentiment, but then I stumbled upon a tale about a puppy that ended up remaining at the vet far longer than necessary.
Abandoned
When Dominique Humphries shared a video on TikTok regarding an owner who took their puppy for an appointment and failed to return to retrieve them, it left the internet devastated.
Humphries mentioned that she made several attempts to reach out to the owner of the Pit Bull and Labrador retriever mix, but every time she managed to contact them, they claimed to be on their way.
As no one arrived to collect this adorable boy, the veterinary assistant from Atlanta, Georgia, found herself bewildered as to how someone could act in such manner.
“The owner didn’t wish to come back for the dog because they feared losing him due to a health problem, despite the veterinarian informing them earlier that the dog was fine. They simply got up and abandoned the dog in the examination room, and we didn’t hear from them until the following day,” Humphries relayed to Newsweek.
She also remarked that the puppy was extremely sociable and enjoyed playing with humans. This is why the veterinary office in Atlanta ensured he received ample playtime, even spending their lunch break with him.
The video shared by Humphries attracted considerable attention and promptly went viral, with numerous individuals expressing their concerns regarding this charming two-month-old puppy.
Collection Day
After three days, the owner finally arrived to retrieve their puppy. Regrettably, as she was attending to another pup, Humphries was unable to confront them.
“They came to pick up the dog on the third day of its stay at my clinic, which certainly saddened me because I believe the patient deserves a better home. I haven’t received any updates from the owner since, and I am worried yet also reluctant to find out if something happened to the dog,” Humphries expressed.
Despite numerous commenters asserting that the puppy should not be with such a negligent owner, Humphries found herself bound by veterinary policies, which required her to care for the puppy until it was claimed by its owner.
“I wish there was more I could’ve done for him, but I must adhere to the protocols set by the hospital. I sincerely hope he’s thriving, and should I receive any updates in the future, I will make sure to inform everyone,” she concluded.
Conclusion
I believe the key takeaway from this narrative is that veterinary offices aren’t equivalents of doggy daycare!
It is crucial to acknowledge that our committed veterinarians face a challenging and sometimes even stressful responsibility of ensuring our furry companions are content and healthy, and it is our duty to facilitate that process as much as possible.
Thus, please remember, when the next veterinary appointment approaches, ensure not only to feed and groom your pups, but also to be punctual for your scheduled time slots, both for check-in and collection!