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LIFE/DEATH
When Anesthesia Goes Wrong
Do you trust the experts with your pet’s life?
“The loss of a pet is like losing a member of your family.” — Bob Barker
Last week, my friend lost her golden retriever-lab mix, Sandy. It wasn’t supposed to happen. One day, Sandy was her usual happy self, chasing her favorite ball, tail wagging. The next, she started stumbling. She seemed confused — lost even in her own home.
The vet ran tests. An MRI showed a problem with her brain. Surgery was the only option. They warned of risks, but my friend trusted them. She didn’t have a choice. The surgeon was experienced. Everything seemed under control.
But during the operation, something went wrong. A mistake with the anesthesia caused a blood clot in Sandy’s lungs. The team tried to save her, but within days, she was gone. Just like that.
Sandy wasn’t “just a dog.” She was family. She was the one who greeted you at the door, every single time, like you were her favorite person in the world. She had a way of making you feel seen, like you mattered.
For my friend, her husband, and her son, this loss feels unbearable. Sandy had been…
