I just can't stop thinking about this horror, and just wanted to say one other thing. Of all the times I have had to deal with helping my kids to the "bridge," never once was there EVER any mention of pre-paying. Maybe I have just been fortunate enough to have had very caring, empathetic vets. But they seemed to have always understood how distraught the owner is at this time. And out of deep sensitivity re: the nature of the visit, chose rather to send by mail, a bill after several weeks had passed. Before a bill was ever sent, a written note of sympathy was received. I work in an open heart recovery room. And I agree that as humans we are not perfect and mistakes do occur. However, these people are supposed to be professionals. "Errors" of THIS nature are not for me, "understandable" mistakes. Rather they are so grevious as to warrant severe disciplinary action and thorough reconsideration of the procedures in place. If I or a physician acted so negligently treating a human patient, I would undoubtedly lose my license to practice. When one deals with life and death situations, as we are taught in nursing, medical and veterinary school, there is no room for this degree or type of negligence. Sorry if I sound like I'm on my soapbox. But this topic just hits too close to home. I see everyday the ramifications of medical personnel not paying attention. Sometimes with fatal results. We are taught, whenever we administer a potentially fatal drug or carry out a procedure...check everything, every step, every name, 3 times. OK, I had my say. I really am just sick over this.