Vet praised for compassion

The following letter to Dr. John Brajkovich, of Caledon Mountain Veterinary Hospital, was submitted to the Citizen.

With heartfelt gratitude and admiration I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all you have done for me and my family. As you know Bandit was more than a pet or companion to me, he was in every sense of the word my best friend.

With every trip that Bandit and I made up to your clinic over the years you showed us compassion and understanding that was without comparison. You worked tirelessly to find what was troubling my boy then were relentless in sourcing solutions that would slow the progress of his illness if not stop it all together. You were victorious in this pursuit as you managed to substantially slow the progress of his illness and extend my time with him. For this thank you does not seem to be sufficient to say how grateful that I am.

When Bandit was no longer able to battle his disease and started to succumb to it, the empathy shown by you and your staff as my family and I battled with a very difficult decision was extraordinarily supportive and helpful. Once we had finally come to the decision that Bandit was at his clearing at the end of the path you and your staff's attention was appreciated and reassuring.

I will never forget the day when we helped Bandit continue his journey without us nor will I forget your tenderness and understanding as you fulfilled this undesirable task that we requested of you and your staff.

It is one thing to be able to find an exceptional veterinary doctor, it is quite another to find one who is not only exceptional in their knowledge and ability and also a true lover of animals and their needs. I feel incredibly fortunate to of found such a vet in you Dr. John and will be forever grateful for your attention and compassion to not only all my animals but also me and my family.

With Love,

                            Charlene Bartlett
Bandit (July 7, 1996 to Feb. 17, 2007)