10.23.2010

Something Unexpected

Yesterday I received a letter from the University of Guelph. This University located about an hour west of Toronto has world renowned Agriculture and Veterinary programs. It houses the Ontario Veterinary College, a teaching hospital which offers medical care to large and small animals while training future veterinarians. I figured I had gotten onto some animal mailing list and this was a solicitation for fundraising. I was wrong.

The letter, from the Associate Dean, was a letter of condolences from the University on the loss of my “beloved pet Molly” and to tell me that the animal hospital where I take my cats had made a monetary donation to the Ontario Veterinary College in her memory. I cried at the kindness of this gesture and that my vet, who both Robert and I already admired, would do this.

There are several doctors at the animal hospital we go to, but I like Dr. D. the best. He has three cats and three dogs himself and his genuine love of animals shows through in his care. He is always behind schedule because he never rushes anybody and no question or concern is too silly for his patient and measured answer. So nobody minds waiting for him. He is the doctor who helped Molly to the bridge, one month ago today, with compassion and professionalism.

A cynic may say I’ll be contacted at a later date for a financial contribution to the University or its just good PR for the animal hospital, neither of those things matter. What does matter is that one man thought the passing of one cat was important enough to one person that he did something beautiful about it.

Lovely Molly

31 comments:

Cats~Goats~Quotes said...

Molly was a beautiful girl. (((Hugs)))

Happy Saturday...
~ The Bunch

SASS....Sammy Andy Shelly Sierra said...

Your vet is awesome!!!!!!!!! Bless him for the tribute, in the form of a contribution, he made to sweet Molly. xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Angel Simba said...

That is lovely. What a super, thoughtful vet. And so good of the university to acknowledge the gift so nicely.

Hannah and Lucy said...

How kind of your vet to do this in memory of Molly. He sounds a very compassionate man.

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

You have a wonderful vet to do such a thing. You are lucky to have found him.

Raymond and Busby said...

We are moved by the Vet's gesture too. He sounds like a wonderful person. xoxo

Marg said...

That is really something. What a very special thing to do and what a wonderful person your vet is. That is just the best. Molly was a wonderful cat and that is such a great way to remember her. Enjoy your week end.

Cara n Crew said...

What a lovely and thoughtful gesture. Purrs-

Pip, Smidgen, Minnie

weaverpat said...

Hi Cat and Kitty Family,
Our vet s do that too. They also send sympathy cards signed by everyone in the office. They are wonderful caring people and we are so lucky to have them. And the teaching hospital they donate to NEVER sends additional solicitation.

Your Molly was a beautiful girl! Every cat is a precious gift but she must have been an extra special one.
Pat (the caretaker),
Deiter, Tipper, Izzy and Penny
(the Kits)

cats of wildcat woods said...

That's the kind of vet we all want - a very caring one. What a lovely gesture.

blindmaximus said...

That is so awesome. It's nice to know there are vets out there who care.

The Island Cats said...

What a nice thing for your vet to do to honor Molly's memory. Our vet has done some similar in the past as well...

Kea said...

That was a lovely gesture. My former clinic did the same upon Chumley's passing, also to the vet college at Guelph. Like you, I bawled when I got the card in the mail.

(((Hugs)))

Katnip Lounge said...

What a lovely thing for your vet to do. Our vet sends condolence cards, and it helps me to know that they cared, too.
I bet Molly purred when you read the card!

Sparkle said...

My human cried a little too when she read your post. That was a very nice thing of your vet to do.

Admiral Hestorb said...

Molly was a gorgeous darling girl and I was teary eyed reading that he was so kind. When my Robin went to the Bridge her Dr. was not so kind but we had no way of knowing until it was too late.

I loved reading this blog, and thank you for sharing it. By the way, the Admiral gave me permission to write on her nickle. MOL.

♥I am Holly♥ said...

That was wonderful of your vet to do such a kind gesture. Molly was a very beautiful and loved kitty. Lots of love, Holly and mom

Mr Puddy said...

That's wonderful thing of your vet to do : )
Happy purrs for you, Molly

Brian's Home Blog said...

That really is such a special tribute to Molly, just shows that everyone really loved her!

OKcats said...

How nice of your vet to do this. :) Mine does this also, and the first time I got that card from the vet school, I cried my eyes out. It's a wonderful gesture, and it makes me so happy to hear that your vet does this also.

Cory said...

Our vet sends condolence cards too and it is such a beautiful gesture. Only once did one of the staff members make a donation, and that was when our Gracie went to the Bridge. We were so touched we cried our eyes out.

You have a very special vet and Molly was an extra special girl.

Teddy Westlife said...

That was a very sweet thing for your vet to do.

Tamago said...

How sweet you doctor is! He sounds like a very good person who really cares about animals. This is a wonderful story.

Jacqueline said...

Such a great tribute to your sweet Molly; a wonderful thing for your vet to do...Thanks so much for coming to our party, we had a fun time with all of you there...xoxo...Calle, Halle, Sukki

Admiral Hestorb said...

Answer is in your email to the question you just asked.

Ellen Whyte said...

Nice vet that. Poor Molly. So sorry.

Quill and Greyson said...

I think they are just good people and isn't that nice.

Rene said...

Oh, that is so thoughtful. What a nice gesture.

Anonymous said...

Well, that brought tears to MY eyes. What a wonderful vet - what a wonderful thing to do. (And what a wonderful picture of sweet Molly.)

Forty Paws said...

That is so sweet of Dr. D. to do that! We don't think you will be pressed for future donations. This was a kindness on Dr. D's part, and is wonderful!

Luf, Us

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

This gesture was so beautiful it made mom cry too. We think it was such a lovely thing for the vet to have arranged. Purrs.
We love and miss Molly.