Horrible day

[Marigold2]

I need a hug. I have had a horrible day at work.
Today was one of the busiest and most brain challenging I have in a long time. Today we started a new computer system. Paper less charts, everything is now entered on the computer, so much to learn.
I worked over 10 hours and decided to take a walk around the hospital campus trial to clear my head.
Last night a pretty good storm ripped through this area. Trees were lifted out of the ground, huge branches were scattered every where.
As I was walking the trail I noticed some fallen tree branches and stopped to take a picture of them and then right there on the cement trail was a small creature all curled up. At first I thought it was dead. I walked over and realized it was a itty bitty baby raccoon. I looked around for mommy and realized it must have fallen out of the tree last night and was now laying there for over 24 hours. I picked it up and held it against me. So precious and sweet this little girl was, but crying and crying so loud. I could tell she was in pain. Her one eye was all gooked up. I picked her up and drove to were my daughter worked hoping she was there today.
She had volunteered at the nature center and had experience with the care and feeding of wild animals.
As I drove down the street I held this precious girl in my hand, she so wanted to get away but never bit or made a hostile move toward me, she cried and cried. It was so heart wrenching.
Luckily daughter was outside of the store watering some plants and she came right out to help. She looked the baby over and said " look mom I think she has a collapsed rectum as it is protruding a bit and there are maggots on her rear.
Oh poor, poor little angel, no wonder she was in so much pain.
Daughter called the nature center and they were closed but I put baby in a box and drove there anyway. Along the route I stopped at a vet's office who told me they could not help me by law. So off I drove to the nature center and yes they were closed, I walked around back and no one was there.
I then called my vet and they told me to bring her in so she could be put to sleep and that is what I did, crying along the way.
I called my niece who is a vet and left a message on her cell.
She called as I was pulling out of the vet clinic. Niece assured me I did the right thing that baby raccoon was suffering and putting her out of her misery was best.
Still it was so painful that I could not help this little angel, I felt very worthless.
I worked all day to help people but when it comes to animals and my true love and I believe my true calling in life the best I could do for her was hasten her death be it a peaceful one.
Some days are just sad.
Little angel is in heaven now safe and warm in God's arms.
That does give me some comfort.
Just a small favor folks, in this hot and humid weather please leave a fresh bowl of water out everyday for the animals.
It is a matter of life and death.

[Karen]

Take comfort in knowing that likely little miss coon's only encounter with humans was you, and she could tell you were kind enough to help her. I am sure you will see her again one day at the Rainbow Bridge.

[Marigold2]

Thank you Karen. I do so hope that she had some comfort in my arms. Had she not been injured I would have taken her home, raised her and then released her in the wild, but alas her little body was too hurt.
Amazing how such a small creature can forever live in your heart even if the encounter was brief.
I shall not forget her.

[Bonny]

Marigold, I think you were the baby raccoons angel today. We all have them looking out for us.

[momcat]

Marigold,
You didn't let this little sweetheart down, you helped her. I don't know her age, but it sounds like she was pretty small and maybe still needing her mommy. Had you not picked her up, held her with love, and went to every place you could think of to find a vet for help, how much longer might she have suffered in pain and fear? You did what was best for her but broke your heart in the process.
She doesn't hurt anymore and just maybe she found her mommy waiting for her at the Bridge.
Because of you, this special little being knew that humans give comfort and love. Bless you for that and bless you for caring enough to help

[Taz_Zoee]

You absolutely did the right thing. That poor baby would have suffered and you just helped her along.

RIP Baby Coon

[Medusa]

Oh the poor little sweetie. Just think of what would have happened had you not come along to help her, Monica. She would've died a long and painful death. This way, at least, you were able to give her some comfort and end her pain and suffering. Animal rescue has its rewards but it also has its heartbreak, doesn't it? Although it's painful to think about, you can know in your heart that you did the right thing. She's now at peace and is feeling no pain.

[anna_66]

First, here's your hug (((((HUG)))))
It brought tears to my eyes just listening to your story. Better she passes than be in that kind of pain.
You were her angel.

[Cataholic]

You did everything and the only compassionate thing you could do. Most importantly, she did not die alone.

As to work? It will seem overwhelming...eventually it will be like second nature.

[lizbud]

First, here's your hug (((((HUG)))))
It brought tears to my eyes just listening to your story. Better she passes than be in that kind of pain.
You were her angel.

I agree. Here's another one, (((Hug)))

[phesina]

A {{{{{HUG}}}}} from me too. God bless you, Marigold, and thank you for all you did for this sweet little baby.

[Queen of Poop]

Here's another BIG HUG FOR YOU!!!

Followed by a heartfelt Thank You!

Your kindness saved that wee baby a long and painful death. And while your heart hurts like heck, know that you done good girl.

[lvpets2002]

I so aggree with the others.. RIP baby coon..

A {{{{{HUG}}}}} from me too. God bless you, Marigold, and thank you for all you did for this sweet little baby.

[cassiesmom]

I agree. Here's another one, (((Hug)))

One more ((((hug))))

New documentation systems aren't easy to learn. When I worked at the Rehab Institute every upgrade was a challenge - and that was an old dinosaur of a system. It takes time for people to adjust to change. I hope it gets better!

[Marigold2]

I would like to thank everyone who posted hugs and best wishes for me. Your kindness touched me deeply. Some of your posts brought tears.
I will post a photo of little girl as I think of her in a couple of days.
I wish I could have healed her, had the ability but alas a Dr I am not.
One of my favorite authors Dr. James Herriot said "if there are no dogs in heaven then I don't want to go there" that is how I feel as well and I am sure most of us here do to.
If you have never read his books they are so wonderful. He was a vet in England during WW11, his stories are funny and dear.
The name of his books are
All Creatures Great and Small
All Things Wise And Wonderful
All Things Bright and Beautiful
The Lord God Made Them All
I hope that is right, I might have messed up the titles a bit since it has been so many many years over 30 when I first read these. He wrote many other books as well.
As for the computer system, oh my head hurts. We have 5 trainers in the office standing over us and talking. Most of the time they are gossiping amounst themselves and not doing anything to train us because the phone keeps ringing, patients are coming in and out and it is just crazy. I wish that we did not have any patients or a lighter load during this two week training session instead of two Dr's and tons of patient. It is really impossible for the trainers to do their job with the patients being there and for us to grasp all the new info.
Will I like it when all is said and done, I sure hope so because I don't have a choice it is the way of the future.