Yesterday, we had to make the incredibly difficult decision to euthanize our almost 15 year old yellow lab. She was so sweet and loved and... read moreYesterday, we had to make the incredibly difficult decision to euthanize our almost 15 year old yellow lab. She was so sweet and loved and adored (more than a lot of humans we know lol). We brought her into the clinic because she had a large growing mass under her armpit that started bleeding Sun morning and we couldn’t get it to stop. She already had difficulty walking due to CCL tears in her back legs/ knees many years ago. Given she was almost 105 yrs old in dog years, her list of health issues was growing longer, and we sensed at the onset of this latest one that it was likely going to present us with a very tough decision. From my first call to Scottsdale Vet Clinic Sunday, to my follow up calls early yesterday AM, and up to the time we left the clinic, the staff was so helpful, kind, and accommodating. When we brought her in, they immediately got us into an exam room & took her vitals and helped us get her more comfortable. Dr. Briana Sowerby cared for our girl with gentle kindness, thoroughness, consideration and patience as we discovered what we were facing, and labored over our choices for quite some time trying to decide what do do. Once we made our decision, we then waited for a couple family members to make the drive in to be with her in her final moments. All the while Dr Sowerby and her team could not have been more wonderful. She arranged a bigger room for all of us, and told us to take all the time we needed once our family arrived so that we could each spend as much time as we needed to with our girl. Dr Sowerby made sure we knew she was here all day and assured us there was no rush. She even brought in a little “buffet of goodies” for our girl’s last “meal” that she happily gobbled up in no time. When we were ready (...“ready” not the best choice of words here because who is ever actually ready in this situation?)... Dr Sowerby carried it out with such care and compassion, explaining every step of the process very calmly and sweetly. It was very peaceful for our girl, and that is all we could hope for. With her growing list of issues, this was the final one that moved us to our decision. Given the prognosis for surgery and treatment options and her questionable ability to survive the procedure, or regain the use of this one of her only two remaining good legs, we knew it was the right thing to do for her. I want anyone who manages to read this to understand that even as I am still reeling from the days events and deeply mourning the loss of my best friend for the past 14 yrs and 11 months, it was so important that I get this review posted because as much as I hated what we had to do - for us, it was the gift that we believe we could give selflessly to her. Dr. Sowerby, I THANK YOU for all you did for us yesterday to make certain that not only was Zoey cared for like a queen, but also for taking care of her human family too. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND the team at Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic and and Dr Sowerby. read less
Beth H.
5/04/2021
