Wait, What did you say?

Today at the Vet's office I realized the severity of Yoshi's skin and infections. He was a stray - animal shelter adoption. I chose Yoshi because I fell in love with him. I was able to look past the appearances of bare skin and loss of fur. Those soulful pitiful eyes spoke to my heart. He needs me to help him get physically better and me mentally better. You could say (like my dog Tiger before him) that he's a emotional Therapy Dog. So the cost of care for him never crossed my mind as I would find a way. I would never dream of returning him to the shelter. 

But after sharing a break down of the cost of care my jaw dropped. Is she for real? Is she trying to sell me services and perform tests on Yoshi he doesn't need? You know, kinda like some car service dealers who try to sell products and services your car doesn't need. Like a new air filter that's fine and won't need replacing for a few more months.

To her credit, she worked with me and offered a "first exam free" for people who adopt shelter animals and free months pet insurance. So I give her credit for that. But what shocked me was what she said afterwards. "Please don't take this the wrong way,' but If It were me, I'd take this dog back to the pound to get another one." "He needs to be adopted by a dermatologist."  Wait......What did you say? A proper response would have been to say that she realizes that Yoshi's health conditions are a lot to digest right now, but she was there to enable me to help him get better. 

I'm the kind of person that if you tell me something like that or tell me what I "should" or "shouldn't" do (unless it has to do with my dog's physical well being) it makes me want to prove you wrong. Did she assume by my dress or attire that I was poor? We all know that I grew up a "Tomboy," so did she assume that I was some kind of sicko and didn't deserve a pet? Or is it like some Veterinarians who assume that if you're poor you're unable to take care of a pet; therefore, you don't deserve one? Not all Veterinarians are like that but still it's frustrating.

Poor or not, if you love your fur baby you will find a way to take proper care of them. And yes, if you abuse or neglect your animal then it should be removed from your home. But that's not the kind of pet owners I'm talking about. I'm talking about pet owners who love and adore they're pets and who would fight for them as well. Pet owner like me, who loved them so much that they were willing to do the humane thing and let them go into the next world by having them put to sleep. We're talking about emotions not money. And for a Vet to say that I should return Yoshi because of the cost of his care is ridiculous. I think that deep down inside, she thinks I'm unable to adequately take care of Yoshi without knowing me. I've done everything right by Yoshi but it seems that she wasn't willing to give me the benefit of the doubt.

I had my dog Tiger for 15 years. Large breed dogs don't usually live that long. Plus he had the same skin condition. He lived so long because he knew he was loved and well looked after. I think I know how to take care of a dog, let alone a child. Yes, I raised a special needs child and he's survived. He's 22 and co - chairman of a local disabilities awareness organization. He advocates for others like him. He has his own apartment and he has a job. When you're responsible parent you make it work. 

Today I bought the prescriptions Yoshi needed and they where not as expensive as they were made out to be. So if it's not a financial currency then it's emotional currency. She must not think I welcome the challenge of a special needs fur baby. Well lady, you're mistaken on that. You totally misjudged me. Eh, I got the T - Shirt for that. 

My point is this. I'm tired of being judged by people who don't know me. I'm ten times stronger that I look and 100% dedicated to the proper care of my new Fur baby Yoshi. I'm also not alone in this. I have a most awesome brother who has my back. "Take it back to the shelter...?" NOT. Yoshi was abandoned and left for dead by a human being. Dr, ______ I refuse to be the second human being who does. 

The question is, should I look for another Veterinarian or confront her? I think I'll pray on that. 
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​Sile