It is with a heavy heart that I write about the passing of Reggie, the 17 year old dachshund that has been such an inspiration to this project. When he came into the office today, it was clear that his health had taken a dramatic turn for the worse. His owner reported that he was no longer the same dog we had come to love and appreciate. The spark was missing from his eye and the spring in his step was replaced by unsteadiness. Even his attempts to bite me were lacking his usual enthusiasm. His pain was no longer effectively controlled by the medications he was taking and his quality of life had deteriorated.

One of the most difficult and yet probably the single most important part about being a veterinarian, is the task of taking a family through the evaluation of quality of life and ultimately helping them to make the determination to euthanize a beloved pet and family member. Sometimes the decision is clear cut, other times it can clouded by shades of grey arising from medical or financial factors

In this case, Reggie was blessed to have been cared for by one of the most compassionate owners I have known while in private practice. He had lived a full life and his owner had provided him the opportunity for the best care imaginable. His little body had finally caught up with his age. We euthanized Reggie while he lay quietly in his owners lap and said good bye to him with the dignity that he deserved.

I am thankful to have known Reggie. He will always hold a special place in my memory and will continue to be an inspiration to us at VetCareComplete.

- Dr. Keith