I apologise for shouting but something happened yesterday which I'm still seething about in the early hours.  My one year old whippet Cashie came to work with me and after ops I took him to a park near the surgery for a run.  Actually, it's a bit misleading to call it a park, it's really a fairly small (maybe a few football pitches), grotty area of grass in Central London, but as Cashie refuses to relieve himself on anything other than grass it's the only option.

Anyway after he'd been to the loo I was throwing his Kong for him and he was dashing about full of energy.  When he was running, out of the corner of my eye  I noticed a football sailing through the air.  A group of teenage boys, aged about 14 had come into the park with this football.  Cashie also noticed the ball and being a typical sighthound raced after it.  When the ball stopped he sat down next to it, hoping that someone would kick it again for him to chase.

Instead, one of the ghastly children picked up a stone and lobbed it at Cashie.  Luckily it glanced off his flank and although he yelped, I suspect this was due to fright and confusion rather than serious pain.

I'm usually a pretty chilled person and I rarely lose my temper but yesterday I understood where the term "seeing red" comes from.  I was so angry with the boy.  I desperately wanted to punch this kid's lights out but I managed not to do that.  I did grab him by the hoodie and shake him, shouting "How dare you" and various other things that probably didn't make much sense as my reaction was entirely spontaneous.

Now I realise that physical response is never OK, but before branding me a child beater, please bear in mind that I'm 5'6" and weigh 47kg; this kid was a lot bigger than me!  With hindsight, if the kids had fought back I could have been in serious trouble.  However I think they were very surprised that I'd responded thus.  They shouted a few obscenities then left.  I was shaking like you wouldn't believe.

Cashie is fine, a little tender where the stone struck him but nothing that won't mend in a couple of days, but what sort of teenager would throw a stone at a dog?  He didn't touch their ball. or bark or display anything that could be construed as aggression,  He's a whippet for goodness sake, how much harm can he do?  That stone could easily have hit his eye.

I concede that I'm not entirely blameless as he should know not to chase anything that isn't his, but on the whole he's a pretty good dog.  Had I been given a moment, I could have shown him his Kong and he would have abandoned the ball.

This incident acted as something of a catalyst and has really made me think about whether or not I can spend 12 hours a day in an area like this.  I thank god that I don't have to live where I work.  For a while I've been getting pretty down about working in such a deprived area.  A year ago I was moved to my current surgery which is in a horrible part of London.  I had been working in the area where I live, and almost without exception our clients were nice, knowledgable, sensible owners who understood the responsibilities that come with a pet.  They researched their breeds, bought puppies from reputable breeders, went to puppy classes, and almost all could either afford treatment or had insurance.  My new surgery is nothing like this.  It's so depressing to see so many dogs and cats which aren't cared for properly; giant breed dogs kept in minute flats on the 17th floor and never walked, puppies being screamed at and hit for displaying completely normal puppy behaviour, dogs that have clearly been used for fighting, pets bought for the children at Christmas who lose interest before New Year - it goes on and on.  I'm generalising of course, some of the people we see are lovely, but I'm finding it very hard to adjust to the different environment.  I also have to endure numerous fleabites pretty much every day!

It also gets me down when we've worked our a#$es off for a client who has been aware from the beginning that we are a private surgery and that if they have financial constraints we are happy to refer their case to the PDSA, which is about ten minutes away (of course if emergency treatment is needed, we provide this free of charge) only to have the owner inform us that they don't have any money.  Funnily enough they never mention this before treatment.  We're often given false names and/or addresses.  When we request payment clients often go on about how much money we make and that we're ripping them off.  Fair enough, the owner of our practice is making a pile, but your bog-standard vets and nurses certainly are not.  There are certainly some dodgy people in the profession, as in any field, but the vast majority of us work extremely hard and do our very best for each patient.  Last month I counted how much time I spent at work outside my official hours.  There wasn't a single day when I didn't arrive at least half an hour early and leave half an hour late.  Over a year, that's a lot of unpaid overtime.We're open 8am-7pm six days a week yet we still receive complaints when we're not willing to schedule a booster at 9pm!  Nobody would expect a routine doctor's appointment outside office hours, why should it be different for us?  I love my job, but everyone needs proper time off.

The mantra that I keep repeating to myself is "Think about the patient, not the owner."  It's not the animal's fault that they are in this situation and they deserve the same care given to pets owned by more fortunate people.  Yes, it's annoying when someone runs up a huge bill which they have no intention of ever paying, leaving us to explain it to the owner of the practice (not much fun, I assure you!) but at the end of the day it's only money.  Far worse, IMO, is seeing a patient which needs long term treatment which would improve quality of life greatly, and knowing that he won't receive said treatment.  After five years I've learned that one can't get too emotionally involved with each patient without going insane, but quite a few times a client has handed back painkillers because they can't pay for them and I've given the pills back and paid for them myself.  Not terribly professional perhaps but how can I let an animal suffer for the sake of a few quid?

Oops, this has turned into a moan of titanic proportions!  There are still many aspects of my job that I enjoy but I think I need to consider looking for a position elsewhere.  Unfortunately my contract allows the practice to relocate me if necessary so they were within their rights when they moved me. 

Sorry again for complaining so much.  I feel better having just written it down.  I hope that this post doesn't contravene any rules, I've tried to be general and obviously haven't mentioned any names or places (other than London, which is pretty vague).  If any of this is unacceptable then I'd be grateful if Admin would edit as required.

{{hugs}} Mary-Caroline - sounds like everything has got on top of you - you're doing a great job, you should know that - and probably for every nasty patient you have to suffer, there are six who are grateful for the job you are doing!

As you say, it's sad that the owner of the practice is making mega-bucks whilst the rest of you work extra hours for nothing - but I do believe that what goes round comes round!

Chin up, kiddo - you can always come on here & moan & we'll share a virtual cup of coffee of glass of ribena ;) - depending upon the time of day!

Lotsaluv
Margot

leave London if you can - I did and have never regretted it. Your experience is a sad example of inner city life today, it cannot be saved but you can.

Hi Mary-Caroline
Sorry to hear you're having such a bad time at the mo :( As Lokis mum says you are doing a great job and you should be very pleased with yourself for all the hard work you do to help these people and their pets (who really need it from what i read!)
Lets hope those kids think twice before doing that to a dog again. ARG how can parents let their kids do something like that? its terrible! They have no respect what so ever

Anyway, feel proud of yourself and dont let anyone get you down! I hope you have a better day today :)
x x x x

Mary-Caroline, its a shame that you feel the way you do about your job and work as you obviously care and do a good job.

You mention the deprivation in the area you work in and I have no doubt that extends to the children and young people that live in that area as well as the animals you come across in the course of your work.  Often these children won't have been brought up with caring parents, but in an emotionally and physically deprived environment.  There is no reason to presume that children are treated so much better than the animals.  There is no justification for ever hitting an animal, but then there is no justification for hitting a child either.  I am not suggesting that you hit him, but that psysical punishment and knee-jerk reactions may be the way things were done in this childs home.  Infact you showed a knee jerk reaction in much the same way yourself.

There's not really a right and a wrong here is there?  You know you did wrong, but it may not be the same for the young man involved - to him such behaviour may be commonplace in his home.  I would ask that you give some consideration to the lifestyle this young lad may be subject to and try to understand how that doesn't equate to being animal friendly.

I know that I when my dog was kicked recently (by a women with challenging behaviour and disabilities), I was cross but did realise that nothing I could do after the event would change anything, so I do know how you feel.

I work with young people, many of them come from home situations that I find hard to comprehend in my lovely village in the country, surrounded by my well fed animals and friends, and comfortable home.  The reality for some people is different, very different.  Sometimes, living and working in such circumstances is something that you can only do for a certain amount of time, but you will always take your memories of 'other situations' with you.

Don't worry about yesterday, today is another day.  It could have ended very differently for you and I am so glad it didn't.  Move on and enjoy today.

Best Wishes, Jacky.

PS I moved from Lewisham to Gloucestershire!

It's a sad fact that many people in inner cities have lives hardly better than their animals. This is not to condone poor behaviour but perhaps it's just ignorance or the way they have been socialised into how you treat animals - look at how some of them treat each other.  I admire you for working in such conditions even if it is your intention to leave, at least you have provided a service. You must be one of life's little gems.

I moved from south London to Bristol when my daughter was ayear old (17 years ago) amd have never regretted it :D

Mary C, I drive for a living. I used to deliver into London 4 sometimes 5 days a week and I hated it. I earned a lot of money but I was miserable. I changed my job and dropped £100 -£150 in my weekly wage but it was the best thing I ever did. I only work 4 days a week now and I have loads of time for my babies which is what is important. It sounds like a lot of money, I suppose it is but at the end of the day I couldn't have both, it was either time or money and I chose time. I really enjoy what I do for a living even though the whole world hates us! I live three miles out from the nearest town and I grew up in an area where within 10 minutes driving you were in open countryside. London was a real shocker for me. Some of the places I delivered to we were ordered not to get out of the cab for safety reasons. If it is getting to you that much then leave and start again somewhere else, you will never regret it.

I tyhink tonight MC you should sit down with your feet up, dog curled up beside you, bottle of wine in cooler and glass in hand and guzzle the whole lot to yourself ! It always works for me ! Hic !

Margaret

I lived in London for 12 years and never, ever came to terms with it. I found the environment a constant stress. We moved to Northampton 25 years ago, and I've never had a moment's regret. If London's not for you, then take the plunge and move out. :-)

MaryC,

You obviously do a wonderful job and care deeply for your patients, In certain situations its only possible to stay for a limited time before you get 'burned out' by it, if working in this area is getting you down then eventually you will be unable to do your job, don't wait until it makes you ill, have a good look at your life and your options, you have many more than you realise :) :) 

Its good that you recognise how you feel, now you can look after yourself as well as your charges :)

I agree, I'm sure you're doing a wonderful job, but at the end of the day you have to be happy. And I hope those rotten kids will think twice before being so thoughtless and cruel - they must have got the shock of their lives when you stood up to them and told them off. Well done! :-)

What put the tin hat on it for me was that I got mugged on the way to the child minders to pick up my daughter after work, and this was at 3.30pm. 

I was aware of the poerson coming up behind me and knew they were a danger somehow, but because of the heavy traffic I couldn't cross the road and there wasn't anyone else walking along that stretch of road. 

As a result I struggled with him after he grabbed me around the neck from bewhind thinking he had surprised me, but he still got away with my bag, and I was left with the strap. 

Thankfully I got most of the contenets (except checkbook and card) back as he threw them away whilst I ran after him.  In hindsight I knew I should not have struggled or given chase, but that is what I did.

Unfortunately its not just inner london that has problems. We are in leafy Hertfordshire...

On Saturday night a gang of kids came down our road (we are in a cul-de-sac) they started shouting, kicking my neighbours car, breaking his wing mirror. Another neighbour came out and told them to clear off, and they threw stones at her. I didn't hear a thing as I was in the bath, but my hubby went out and so did another neighbour and the scum ran off. The police were there in 10 mins. My neighbour said on sunday that its a shame that my rottie is only a puppy otherwise we could have brought her out, but she is the least scariest dog in the world at the moment. My previous dog would have been at the window frothing at the mouth he was that good a guard dog (all natural).

I also found out that the garage up the road has but held up at gun point twice. this used to be a nice quiet area, but you get it everywhere. I am so glad to be moving next week.

I think you do a great job but can you put in for a transfer?

Hi MC,

Sorry you are having a rough time at the moment, London can be tough place to live at times for many reasons. You love your job and are really making a difference even though you might not feel like it at the moment. Stick with it because tomorrow will be a much better day :)

I also live in central London and I totally understand how you are feeling as I feel like it regulary! Especially when it comes to dog things!

In the past to weeks I have had my dog chased and barked at by a child and attacked by two Shih tuz's!!!!

Some people are totally uneducated when it come to dogs and some dog owners have no idea how to control their dogs!

Is is very frustrating, but keep smiling : ) : ) : )

Hi, M-C

The thing that stands out for me in your story is that these days a dog owner's first responsibility is to protect their dog from other people.  And their second is to protect people from other people.  How sad. How 21st Century Britain. How bl**dy depressing.  

(How is it that the more the Government commits to 'citizenship', 'engagement' and 'building local communities' the more alienated and anti-social we all seem to become?  And as for Sure-Start and 'positive parenting'...don't get me started or your rant will look like a telegram.)

Keep your chin up, there are good people and even good kids out there - (even 'bad' ones can be changed but it takes a hell of a lot of effort on someone's part).  Do what I do: accent the positive, eliminate the negative - oh, and drink heavily.

Cheers, Linda

Thank you all so much for your kind words.  I must admit that when I woke up the morning after posting my tirade I felt a bit ashamed that I'd vented so much spleen.  I've been slightly apprehensive about coming back onto this site as I was concerned that I might have overstepped the mark.  I thought that other posters would tell me off for complaining so much (and at such length!) and they would have been more than justified in doing so.  After all, I'm a relatively new poster and it's a bit rich to expect you guys to listen to me moaning about my job.

I'm very touched that people took the time to read my post and write such kind responses.  Everyone's comments really helped and I feel infinitely better now. 

Cashie is absolutely fine now.  The beauty of having a dog with very little brain is that he doesn't hold a grudge for long!

Re: my work situation.  I hope you don't mind if I give you a brief (and more upbeat) update.  When I wrote my original message I had had a very bad day and could only focus on the negative.  I have a little more perspective now and as others pointed out, for each nasty client I see, there are far more nice ones.  Of course things are going to be challenging sometimes but that's a good thing, IMHO, and from now on I shall strive to be more positive.  I shall also endeavour to be more understanding when it comes to people I find difficult.  I shouldn't forget that I am very fortunate to have what I sometimes take for granted, education, a home, friends, a job I love, security, etc.  In comparison to many people I'm incredibly lucky, so I will try to moan less!

I should also add that I feel I was unfair to most teenagers when I originally posted.  Most kids, regardless of their home situation, are actually really good with animals.  This was illustrated perfectly today, when I was walking Cash at lunchtime, I was in the same park.  I saw two teenage boys there who were quite obviously doing a drug deal (at 1pm!)  I didn't say anything but walked on with the dog.  One of the boys walked past us and you can imagine my surprise when he knelt down and started making a huge fuss of Cashie, talking nonsense to him and rubbing his tummy!  Of course, I concede that the boy's friendliness and general good mood may have been chemically enhanced ;-) but he was a nice chap nonetheless!

Anyway, thanks for listening.  I really do appreciate the support I've received here.  It goes to show that this forum isn't cliquey (sp?) or unwelcoming to new posters at all.  Cheers guys.