[A Sip of Books] Non-Human Animals and Human Animals Seen by a Veterinarian

Some sentences encapsulate the entire content of the book itself, while others instantly reach the reader's heart, creating a connection with the book. We excerpt and introduce such meaningful sentences from the book. - Editor's note

This is a record of non-human animals and human animals that a rural veterinarian encountered both inside and outside the hospital. How does a dog accept the death of a family it lived with? What can be done beside the guilt, sorrow, and pain of guardians who have lost their companion animals? While companion animals have become family in reality, the author captures with a kind and firm gaze the world where non-human animals still remain as commodities.

Just as people tend to get sick more often and spend more on medical expenses as they age, dogs are the same. When they are young, they are healthy without illness, so you probably pampered them without worrying about money. As they age, systemic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and hormonal disorders naturally occur. Tumors develop, and arthritis sets in. Their eyes become dim, and their hearing deteriorates. But aging and illness are not the fault of the animal. They have simply grown old. Older dogs need more frequent health checkups, and financial preparations for diseases should be made in advance.

Page 152, "Let's Try Another Hospital"

In hospitals, if a doctor suspects child abuse, they must report it to the police. However, in veterinary hospitals, the medical staff's reporting obligation has not yet been institutionalized. Even if there is direct evidence to prove abuse, animal abuse often ends with light punishment. Demanding surgery without anesthesia cannot be considered evidence of abuse. However, the man's words, "This dog endures pain as if it could die when I am beside it," strongly raise suspicion of habitual abuse. Attacking the one who causes pain is a natural behavior for all living beings. Minimal self-defense is an instinct for survival. There is no dog that does not bite when in excruciating pain. But abused dogs may not bite even when in such pain.

Page 224, "There Is No Dog That Does Not Bite Even When in Excruciating Pain"

Humans learn to recognize that there is glass where there are window frames or door frames. In contrast, birds fly at speeds of 40 to 70 kilometers per hour to avoid falling in the direction of gravity, so most die instantly upon collision. When a person hits glass, it becomes an opportunity to learn the danger of transparent glass, but birds have no next chance. For birds, glass is a door to death.

Page 250, "The Disappearing World"

Meeting Again on a Day When Flower Petals Fall | Written by Heo Eunju | Suo Seojae | 256 pages | 14,800 KRW

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