Dooley Noted: 5/29/2016
Yesterday, my husband and I adopted two cats.
They were a bonded pair of one year-old, gorgeous gray cats, needing a home.
They started off being placed in a shelter by their previous owner, then were taken on by the amazingly kind people of the ASPCA.
All within a year, they were shuttled from place to place, just wanting to find a home – a family.
In their first 24 hours, they’ve come around pretty well.
As they slowly start to approach us, I started thinking of my patients.
Many of them are fighting battles with their health.
Many of them are fighting other battles, too, that may be linked to their perceptions of pain and discomfort.
I may not be able to give them all I can give them on visit one – much like I didn’t expect the cats to warm up to us on the first day.
As a newcomer gets to know you, you will earn trust.
But it may take time.
Once you earn that trust, you must show with each action that you respect that trust.
As we watched our Fernandez clan double yesterday, I am reminded to be equally kind and attentive to anyone who seeks my help.
If I am honored with someone’s trust, I am reminded to nurture it with every visit and any contact in between visits.
It’s amazing that a few newcomers can remind you to be an even better care giver.
You can push too hard in the beginning and overwhelm a newcomer.
Or, you can be patient and reassuring, letting a newcomer know you’re there – no matter how long it takes for them to come around.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley
