Sandra,

I feel so badly for you but am happy that Bull got his surgery and is doing well.

I had a friend that was driving one evening and saw a kitten that had been hit by a car. He was still alive but badly injured so she took him to an emergency clinic. They contacted the owner (on his collar) and she was unable to pay for the surgery to save his life; she was heartbroken, but said the kitten would have to be put down.

My friend was willing to adopt him and pay for his care. Because of the situation the Dr. donated his time, but my friend still had to pay for the costs: anesthesia, operating room, xrays, iv, medication, months of follow up visits, etc. etc. etc. I would assume that the person adopting Bull is going to pay for his surgery and follow-up medical care, or someone is...surgery is expensive even without the cost of the surgeon. My cousin worked for a vet and brought home a couple of animals in similar situations, the vet agreed not to make a profit on the services but she paid for the procedures/medicine/care/food/etc.

I find it hard to criticize the Dr. here, personally. In an ideal world he could volunteer his services and provide free care for all animals, but that's not a sustainable business. I think that the next best thing is to help the animal out and put him with someone that can take on his medical costs. It takes a very loving person to take in a sick animal and I am sure that he'll be well-loved. But Sandra, it takes a special person to do the right thing for an animal you love too, especially when it is so painful. I am thinking of you and wishing you weren't going through this.

Anne