Patch Blog: How Mac Got His Name

It was a Friday night; I had just gotten over the flu. I was planning on going home and sleeping. Instead it ended up being a very expensive Friday night out.  One I’ll never forget.

Mac, would never have survived the night had it not been for the kind and caring staff at the on Eagle Rock Boulevard. 

Veterinarian Jessica Hunter was amazing with Mac and with my husband and me.

At the Eagle Rock Emergency Pet Clinic you have to be buzzed in to enter. I stood there with Mac in my arms.  He was bleeding from his mouth, left leg and paw. I explained to the woman behind the counter that I found this stray dog run over. I began asking her what they do in situations like this? I was told if the dog has no owner, no one to pay for his care, they put him sleep (euthanasia).

When Mac was first run over on Division Ave. in Cypress Park, I called Animal Emergency to see who they would recommend taking him to. I was told to go to ASPCA deep in the Valley, ring the back door and hand the dog over to them.

Two things concerned me about this suggestion:

1. Would Mac survive the car ride from Cypress Park to Sherman Way in Van Nuys?
2. If I dropped him off at the ASPCA would he be treated or simply euthanized?

Since, the Eagle Rock Emergency Pet Clinic was closer and I had also been there one other time with my dog Togi, I knew Mac would have a better chance at survival getting treatment as soon as possible.

As I stood in the lobby I asked the staff what the  ASPCA would do.  I was told they would euthanize him.

Mac had been so quiet the entire time. I had to make a decision on the spot. Do I hand him over and walk away.  With no one to pay for his treatment he’d be euthanized. Or, do I hand him over and let them try to save him, resulting in a fee I knew would be extremely high. I knew he could also accrue a high tab at the vet and still not make it. These thoughts swirled in my head.

Some people in the lobby said, “ you should pay for his treatment”.

My husband and I are familiar with extremely high vet bills due to our dog Togi’s TPO surgeries. I started to cry because I knew the cost of saving this dog could be astronomical.

Then Mac, who had been so good and silent the whole time, began to whimper. Here was this little animal, scared, in shock, with his leg hanging off and face broken. 

I said, “take him. Just take him. I’ll pay for it. Just do what you have to do to save him.”

The nurses immediately sprung into action. Mac was x-rayed, given painkillers, electrolytes, had blood tests, urine tests and was monitored overnight.

I called my husband and told him what had happened. I was worried he might be mad because of the cost, but he simply said, “do what has to be done to save this dog. Help him.”

My husband then met me at the vet’s office, where Dr. Jess went over his x-rays with us and the treatment he’d be receiving. 

Dr. Jess is the only reason Mac has a name. On the intake forms they listed him as “stray." This is common practice when a homeless animal is brought in to a vet’s office. Dr. Jess’s kindness and love of animals really shone to me when she suggested we name the “stray” because it’s more personal for the animal and the staff when treating the dog. It’s more “humanizing.”  I think the word "heartfelt" sums up the quality of care these folks give at the Eagle Rock Emergency Pet Clinic.

As soon as we decided “Mac” was his name, Dr. Jess made sure all his forms were changed to Mac McCarthy.  Yes, Mac was chosen because of our last name--McCarthy. We then went in the back and visited the newly named Mac, who was completely out of it from the pain meds.

After 2.5 hours, with Mac stabilized, we left. We worried all night that the phone would ring and the vet would tell us that he didn’t make it.

Morning came and it was time to transfer Mac from the ER Vet to a regular vet. The Eagle Rock Emergency Pet Clinic is open during the hours that normal vets aren’t. They are for emergencies.  They are a dedicated staff that works incredibly hard to give the best care they can to their animal patients.

The nurses had put Mac in a box with a blanket and towel; we paid the rest of his bill, and brought him to Blue Cross Pet Hospital where he has been undergoing all of his treatments. 

Mac was lucky. Not every animal is this lucky. Did he know to whimper at that exact moment? I don’t think so, but it worked. It made my mind up right away. Here was an innocent being suffering and he needed help.

It could have gone the other way. Mac’s story could have ended that night.

Due to the animal overpopulation euthanasia is the way that many of these stories end.

Haden’s Law--passed in 1999--currently requires shelters to wait 4-6 days before euthanizing lost or homeless animals.  Injured animals are a different story. They are usually euthanized right away. It’s cheaper than any other treatments they may require. 

The LA County Dept. of Animal Care and Control has many suggestions for ways that can eventually end euthanization of animals. Among these suggestions are micro chipping, spaying and neutering.

As humans we need to be responsible pet owners. Animals are innocent creatures that cannot take care of themselves.  They need our help. Please spay and neuter so that we can end euthanasia forever.