#my staffy is the sweetest little thing in the world

[steakout-05]

staffy expectations vs staffy reality (by someone who has an absolute sweetheart of an american staffy <3)

#dogs #dog #staffy #staffordshire bull terrier #american staffy #this also applies to pitbulls #idk why staffies are always the ones who are depicted as aggressive and horrible when literally any dog can be just as aggressive #if not even more aggressive #like the only reason you'll see an aggressive dog is because of poor training or abuse #i don't think staffies deserve this poor reputation considering how wonderful they can be if you treat them right #that goes for any animal that has misconceptions of ''aggression'' piled on them #''you shouldn't keep a small child unattended around a pitbull/staffy!'' you shouldn't keep a child unattended around ANY animal #why are staffies always the exception. they are beautiful sweet little guys #ok ''little'' might not be the most accurate way to describe them but you get what i mean #they're literally just the loveliest stinkiest guys ever #my staffy is the sweetest little thing in the world #he does not growl and he does not bite. he will instead lick you and get the zoomies and demand tummy rubs #he always gets so excited when he sees other dogs but if one barks at him even a little then he will immediately get shy and back away #the only time he barks is when people are crossing the street but like. most dogs do that. and he howls at the ice cream truck <3 #he's terrified of thunderstorms. like he gets so scared and needs someone nearby at all times #people would probably look at him like ''omg that's such a dangerous breed'' but if he hears even a little bit of thunder he starts shaking #like does that say ''dangerous and will murder people'' to you. no #the worst my dog will do to you is like. accidentally scratch you or something. that's literally it. #oh yeah and fun fact: my dog has one eye! #he had to get it removed because the lens fell out of place and it started getting really nasty and was hurting him a lot #he's lost a bit of depth perception and bumps into stuff sometimes but he's much happier now and has a cool scar on his face- #-where his eye was :) #having a dog with one beautiful eye is better than one who is always in pain #anyway yeah staffies do not deserve this slander. they are wonderful dogs and i will defend them to ends of the earth

[anna464]

Having started my work placement at a vet clinic a few weeks back I wanted to write up some of the highlights so far both good and bad:

First day I was handed a 1day old labrador puppy who's face was badly malformed and I kept the poor little guy warm and content until the vet had the time to help him cross over the rainbow bridge gently and with all the love we could give him.

Many stray cats get handed over to the hospital.

First was a mangy old cat who, to everyone's surprise, was the cuddliest old boy I had ever met. He just wanted to be held and cuddled and loved. He found a foster home.

Second was this scared old boy who hardly moved the whole day I was there but he would purr quietly if you have him pets. He found a home as well.

Last was a 5 month old, her black little kitten. She was the sweetest damn stray I had met since my own little Trouble was put into my arms. This little witch familiar would purr like a little engine every time she saw someone in the room and if you put your hand into the cage she would fall over herself to headbutt it and make bickies as she floomped to let you pet her belly. The temptation to take her home to be a companion to my Trouble was very strong but I resisted long enough to head home. She found a good home within a few days.

We had a woman bring in a unresponsive bunny just before closing and I spent the better half of an hour with a hairdryer keeping him warm along with two blankets, bubble wrap, an electric heating mat and warm beanie bags by his side. He was awake by the time I had to leave and I hope he made it.

Staffies are the biggest crybabies. We had one big boy come in for gonad removal and he cried before and after the surgery. I gave him a lot of pets and talked to him any chance I got to keep him calm but apparently his breed is just always like this. And here I thought the greyhounds were drama queens.

Trying to get a blood sample from any animal can be difficult. Some animals will sit still and hardly flinch when the needle goes in but the worst case I have had so far was actually a 6 month old kitten who hissed and spat and even after being sedated she managed to bite both the vet and nurse badly enough they had to do some serious sterilising of the wounds. Angry little thing that one but I still managed to give her some fuzzes after she calmed down.

Don't have fences with spikes! Just don't do it! The amount of stories and cases we have seen of cats and dogs trying to jump them and ripping their abdomen open is horrific.

Watching a pair of large, tattoed, bearded motorcycle gang looking men coming in to collect their little black cat after her spay and hearing them tell her in gentle voices that it is time to go back home, cooing at her and her little face trying to force her way out of her carrier to cuddle them in her after surgery drunken state really heals my heart.

Coming home every day and my cat screaming her head off when she sees me and then gives me the weirdest looks when she smells all the animals on my clothes.

Friendliest, loudest cat comes in sick and every time I try to chat with her she reaches through the cage bars and knocks my glasses off twice x] She got the nickname "Loony Luna" cause she just did not have any idea how to show her love and claws were often involved.

The chicken who's insides were unfortunately outside and the vet spent hours working out exactly what was going on so we could help.

The puppy who's tail did not stop wagging even as he was barfing up the rat bait he had gotten into. No matter how sick the meds made him that tail did not stop. He even are the charcoal without it being mixed with food. He got a can of some food with medical properties as well and he was a very happy and full puppy by the time his humans came back to pick the little mischief maker up.

Watching a ancient dog being lead back to a consult room so the vet could bring the family the sad news. I didn't see her leave but that means she left this world in the arms of those who love her.

Being handed a little sausage dog who had apparently wagged his tail so hard it broke and half of it had to be amputated.

A good chunk of the job of a vet nurse is cleaning. Vacuuming, mopping, picking up shit, wiping down cages and washing the mountain of towels we go through every day. Thank gods for washing machines and dryers.

Another part of the job is taking care of the owners and much as the animals. I have lost two cats in my life. The first one the nurses and vet were really sweet and helped my family through it. The second was lacking and my goal as a future vet nurse is to never leave a grieving family feeling like they are not welcome while saying goodbye.

The retired vet who used to work at the clinic bringing in her puppy and doing the teeth cleaning herself who the other vets had one less thing to worry about.

The woman who came in with chicken bits for her sick pitbull who had to stay at the clinic for a while and her staying with her dog for hours. It was really sweet to have her there with her best friend. There was so much love and trust.

The older couple who had made it their job to capture and desex any and all stray cats they could and the love they showed the cat I witnessed them come to check on as he needed more treatment but they wanted to make sure he had his favourite food. Also, them being so worried that they needed to walk over where I had just mopped. So many sweet people.

All of the little "thank you" notes and letters hanging in the staff room. Some were sad. Some were happy. But to me it is obvious that this clinic is full of good people who do their best to give everyone the best treatment and care they can give.