My canine Ace injured his paw sometime last week.
He broke a nail, and the nail bed became really infected and painful.
I feel guilty because I know my dog’s nail probably broke because:
1. The nail was too long and it got caught on something. Or,
2. My nail clipper is old and dull and may have cracked the nail.
It didn’t help that the vet, who was not our typical vet, made a point to tell me to trim my dog’s nails much more typically to avoid even more injuries like this.
He’s right, but it still made me feel bad.
Watch for a post on proper nail trims soon! (And a post on how a compassionate vet can make all the difference, no matter what the issue is.)
This injury was unlike other issues my canine has had in the past – pneumonia, ear infections, allergies – because I feel like I could’ve prevented his pain.
But … Ace is fine now.
He had the nail removed, and he is his usual, wagging self (with a bandaged paw and a “party hat”).
He does not hold a grudge against me or the vet who pulled the nail off.
As my spouse said, “Shit happens.”
You can’t predict or avoid everything with dogs. They will get hurt or sick in some cases no matter how careful we are.
Have any of you felt guilty after your canine was hurt or sick?
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