November 15th a dear friend of mine took her beloved canine to an animal hospital in Vegas. We knew going in that she wanted to go the lowest costing route, When our fears of "Killer" became confirmed that he was sick with Parvo We knew he was strong and wanted to take the Parvo at home care package which is at lowest $500 (they send home the medications needed, an IV drip under skin, and a few nausea meds.) that was better than the $1,000-$2,000 fee of more we were looking at to hospitalize him. For a moment we saw compassion, until it came to asking if they can work with US and do a payment plan-references were able to be given & confirmed THAT day- But instead of course we applied for care credit. As a home owner my dear friend , Like most home owners were hit hard when the housing crashed, morgages taken out to keep her home her credit score did not receive enough to pass for the pet insurance, yet she makes TOO much to qualify for SNAP benifts, and medicare/Medicaid. We, as well as "Killer" went in with HOPE that he would get help-& with the references able to be confirmed to try and haggle for a payment plan, we decided since they didn't wanna work with US to help him... We'd pay our visit..$88 or so.. Exam fee and Parvo testing. When asked what the survival rate is ..it's...50/50. When asked if he would suffer if he did not make it ... It was confirmed it would be a terrible, painful death for him. So little by little as we are waiting to get him pushed outside to the car on a gurnee ... I saw the eyes of both my FRIENDS whom now I consider family.....that twinkle of HOPE fading away. As the Dr.'s assistant came back with WRITTEN Prescriptions for us to go home and figure how to come up with that money we felt no more compassion GENUINE compassion. As we get into the car , I sit in the back watching my friend and her baby , was the hardest thing for me to do-in my head knowing I had no more faith that only a few Vetinarians out there really care about their patients, new or prior and some only MONEY- I knew I had to be strong for my dear friend and "Killer" . I consider her my best friend .... I took her to that animal hospital that I had admired so very much because of being a prior employee.. I knew I only had enough high respect STILL for that hospital because only a couple Vets there that really do care.But just something is pondering in my mind.... I had a feeling that we were no longer appreciated because of the MONEY situation.... I have to be strong and stay focused - So we get "Killer" home. He waits outside, he's weak and vomiting...we prepare his room away from the other pets.... We lay newspaper, plastic, sheets, and a nice comfy bed for him to lay on.... We take him to the room... Block it off... Then decontamination begins before the dogs that were already segregated ahead of time could be out and take roam of their home. Bleach... 30 part water and Bleach everything... Surfaces...floors....wall's...the outside and the car. Now time to go get the meds. Good thing Wal-Mart carries the pet products( and accepts the human little discount prescription cards you see at the Dr offices and hope to use one day or give to somebody or end up throwing sway..). $150 ... $14.... $4....$24 those were about the numbers we were looking at... So her son and daughter in law ,whom just had a baby, pitched in as much as they could. Pushing fluids on "Killer" I felt content that things will be okay. As I gave my friend a hug and blew "killer" a kiss and told him to feel better..he was resting...he had survival in him. I left and went about my evening with my kids and pets....still thinking about the earlier visit At the animal hospital and my friend and " Killer "... I knew to pray and I hugged my kids a little tighter, a little longer At their bedtime... And spent time with my pets...and went to sleep. At approximately 1:28am or so on November 16th, I received a phone call..... "Killer" is gone..... Some crying and sniffling..... He didn't make it.... And through the crying she was able to thank me for my help and was genuinly thankful for me being there to help her. He deceased from dehydration..an IV drip was needed... She was Setting her alarm every 15 minutes to push fluids ...her last visit...for fluids...to try to hydrate..... She went in and found him ... Holds him close as his bowels and his body were shutting down, her tears falling on "Killer"..... Hoping that her telling him how much she loves him and comforting him would help ease his pain..... He took his last breaths..... After hanging up the phone with her I laid in bed.... Pondering my mind thinking.... "Why am I to be thanked? My goal and dedication was for him to survive. Not cross that Rainbow Bridge at almost 2 years old. So much life was in him, had there been a financial payment agreement , and sent home with the needed IV drip and the meds then and there!!! "Killer" should of and WOULD HAVE BEED. THAT 50% that SURVIVED... Because she had no money that day and turned away...... Her heart as well as her familie and my heart especially aches! How can a Vetinarian not work with US knowing that if the pet would pass it would be a suffered death". They knew.... But there was no genuinely unconditional dedication or compassion for "Killer" because his mom had no money and asked for a payment plan and would give refrences. So now, I feel it's my duty for her and for "Killer" to make a change. A change for our Vetinarian hospitals to allow payment plans to anybody... Poverished or Impoverished..... Elderly or Young. They shouldn't turn no person or pet away because of MONEY. Each and everybody has a pet... And that pet has a NAME and WE ARE THEIR VOICE. "Killer" said in his eyes " Dr and mom I'm strong enough to LIVE..... HELP me Dr... Help me live and not suffer." Do Animals Not Have Rights because they cannot do for themselves and work and have an income???? Do the poor or somebody, who is middle class or high class, that is having financial difficulties , that day , deserve to be turned Away because of MONEY.???? I declare a change for all Veterinary Hospitals to not turn away an ill animal because an owner cannot pay..... Our E.R's don't turn us away... We are human.... We have heart and cherish each living day.... So do our Pets. Shouldn't they deserve the same kind of rights and / or treatments we do if we are dying & we're not denied help if we are dying because of MONEY. We get help.... Admitance into the intensive care even and/ or hospice to help die peacfully if there is no hope. There is hope in each ill pet. Every pet healthy or ill has a NAME, an ADDRESS, a HEART & LUNGS & a cherish at life like WE DO! Accept and HELP .... VETINARIANS should be in the field because they love and have compassionate dedication and loyalty to animals. Just as our Human Doctors do. " An Animal is a life, An Animal has a Name, An Animal wants to Live". -Sincerely Samantha J Valdez (SJV) " Something has to be changed."