Thursday, September 18, 2014

A Word About SEVO

SEVO, or South East Veterinary Oncology, has been the place where Henry has been getting his chemotherapy treatments. It is a very quaint little place. And we wanted to just briefly share some of our observances. Some are simple but some are truly notable.

First, their waiting room is like a trip to the set of Golden Girls. It has a mix between cushiony chairs and ratan accents and very typical white southern plantation style shutters. White wicker rocking chairs and gliders are out on the front porch. And truthfully, it looks very cozy and welcoming. We had mentioned before that they put out a welcome sign to all new/first time patients and that was a very special touch.

The main thing that I kind of wanted to talk about is their memory court. It is a paved circular dog walk area with about 60-70 engraved bricks that are intermingled with the brick pavers making the circular path. The bricks really tell a tale of patients past. I actually photographed each brick on this visit. The first visit I cried my head off reading them all and this visit I was better able to keep it all in perspective but it is still hard.

Here are a few bricks that really hit home to me.

The one that reads: "In memory of Pyewacket LaDue, You got me through! I miss you still" particularly was a tear jerker. The back story on this is that Pyewacket LaDue was the pet of one of the doctors there who herself had breast cancer and was helped by her own dog to help get her through cancer and then in turn, the dog succumbs to cancer later.

I am sure each brick has its own special back story but since we are not privy to them, we cannot speak to the uniqueness they each have to offer. But we are sure that each mentioned pet was truly loved.