How is Covid affecting your hobbie?

[Bogertophis]

I did have this happen as things started closing down when my dog was found in distress. This is a review I left for them but added some things to make it make sense here and give a more complete story.

My wife got home from work and was going to take our Pit Bull for a walk. This usually gets him very excited but not on this day. He was hardly walking and seemed out of juice. My wife called me and told me what was going on. I asked a few things and had her check him out but didn't hear anything suggesting the issue. I ended up leaving work early to check him myself as I am the animal person of the house with the must medical training. I found him cold to the touch with pale gums. He was stargazing and was not responding to stimuli. I loaded him up and headed toward a place called Animal ER or Northwest...... So with that name you would expect a ER response which is what I thought I needed. We couldn't go to our vet because it was almost 9pm.

I called ahead and was told they were seeing patients outside because of the virus and to call them when I arrive. Ok, easy enough. While on the phone I told them I had a dog in distress(listing the symptoms) and what I was driving hoping this would speed things up as I knew my dog was in bad shape.

I arrived and called like asked while I stood with my back door open checking on my dog. The phone rang, rang, and rang. Also know that I could see directly inside through the large clear windows, so they could see me. I thought maybe I called the wrong number but just as I hit the end button the receptionist finally picked up the phone, but it was too late. She looked at the phone, shrugged, and returned it to the base. I realize they have things to do but I needed to get my dog medical attention. I walked to the clear glass window and using my phone tapped on the glass. Once I had her attention I motioned that it was me calling and I needed help. This didn't get her up but did bring another young girl to the door.
She asked what was going on and I told her. I told her I tapped on the glass because I was calling but not getting an answer.

Jump ahead a few minutes and I'm given a form to fill out. As I fill it out a lady I guess was a med tech came out and looked at my dog. She had no light and was looking at my dog in the dark. She asked about his gums and I said they where white. She disagreed so I took my flashlight out of my pocket and told her to look again at which time she said "they're grey." I said "whatever you want to call them, they are not normal." She then took my form and walked back inside. Then several minutes passed with nobody coming out. I start to wonder what's going on but stayed with my dog trusting they were working on getting him in.

Turned out they called the police. Here's the kicker.... I am the police. I had just got off work and found my dog in distress. I was still wearing my work pants and under shirt with my duty pistol and badge next to each other on my hip. So while I waited thinking they were working on giving my dog aid they were actually hiding inside waiting on the police to come tell me they were refusing me service. The Deputy pulled up and seemed as confused as I was. They ended up telling him that I tapped on the glass and was a big intimidating guy so they were refusing me service.

All they had to do was tell me that and not waste my time leaving my dog in discomfort. Being a police officer I know they have that right and would have easily left to get care elsewhere. Don't leave me standing there! Say it from inside. Heck send a text or email if you are so afraid of me. That info was on the form.

The Deputy and I got on our phones and I found the next closest place and took off. The second place was beyond wonderful and quickly came out with a gurney before asking me to fill out anything....actually they never did. We did it all over the phone after they started rendering aid. After doing what they needed they gave me bad news and took the time to talk to me about options and odds. Sadly the decision was made to euthanize my dog. He had a large tumor inside that ruptured making him bleed heavily internally.

I can not believe I was left standing there with my animal in need while these cowards called the police on me. I didn't curse, yell, or hit the glass with any force. I tapped it with the corner of my cell phone, which is in a rubber case. They just saw a big guy with a badge and gun and hid. They didn't even come get their marker they put under my wiper so I had to try and find a place to put it that it wouldn't fly away before leaving. Their response was not one of urgency and I will never be going back. I think it's obvious my dog needed care and they showed how little they care. Shameful. I'm not even mad they refused a police officer service. I'm angry they let my dog suffer.

That's just horrible- their lack of communication after you called ahead & let them know all that you could...it's just bizarre. Maybe they had a bad experience recently with some similar situation (like an attempted hold-up?), that's all I can think that would explain their horrible treatment, but to leave you waiting instead of communicating was absurd & unprofessional on their part. Very sorry for the loss of your dog, & especially that they allowed him to suffer.

Years ago I lost my large male Doberman in a similarly sudden manner- I came home to find him really "out of it"- turned out he had liver cancer- quite large but wasn't detected until then because there were no symptoms & Dobies have such a deep chest- there was nothing visible. I got him to the vet though to help him pass- it was nothing like what happened to you, leaving you calling & waiting outside for their assistance.