“He Is My Dog”: When Ownership Is Mistaken for Absolute Power
It happened in a veterinary clinic , a place meant for care, patience, and trust. A five-year-old dog — healthy, alert, but clearly anxious — was due for a routine vaccination . Like many dogs, he resisted. He pulled back, tensed up, refused to stay still. Anyone who has owned a dog long enough knows this scene well: the unfamiliar smells, the cold table, the needle he doesn’t understand. To the husband, this was enough to walk away. He declared the process a hassle. The dog was uncooperative, the moment inconvenient. Why go through the stress when it could simply be avoided? His wife disagreed. She asked him to wait. She offered to hold the dog. The clinic staff stepped in calmly, explaining they could manage — that patience, reassurance, and proper handling usually make all the difference. This was not unusual. This was part of the job. But something shifted. Instead of relief, the husband’s frustration escalated into emotion. His face hardened. His voice rose. What could have been a...