@expedition.ola — 3x breakout

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Vet recommends euthanasia

@expedition.ola

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Why it worked

The video taps into a powerful emotional narrative about the bond between humans and animals, particularly in difficult circumstances. The creator's vulnerability and clear love for her dog resonate deeply, making the audience empathize with her situation and her fierce determination to provide the best care for Birdie.

Summary

The creator shares a deeply emotional experience at the vet where euthanasia was recommended for her dog, Birdie. Initially devastated, she realized the recommendation was based on the vets' perception of Birdie's quality of life and the care required, not on Birdie's own will to live. The creator reaffirms her commitment to Birdie, emphasizing her beautiful quality of life and her worthiness of the extra care.

Structure

1Vet recommends euthanasia
2Creator's shock and realization
3Reaffirmation of Birdie's quality of life
4Decision to continue care and leave the vet

On-screen text

Vet recommends euthanasia OUR SURGEON LOOKED AT HER AND RECOMMENDS EUTHANASIA. THIS IS REALLY SEVERE. WHEN THOSE WORDS CAME OUT OF HER MOUTH, I GENUINELY FELT THE WORLD STOP. I HAD NO IDEA THE SITUATION WAS THIS SERIOUS. I WAS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND AND TRYING NOT TO COMPLETELY FALL OF THEM. MY HEART WAS POUNDING BECAUSE I BROUGHT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A MANAGEABLE INFECTION. AND SUDDENLY A CONVERSATION WITH VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS ABOUT WHETHER BIRDIE SHOULD KEEP LIVING. BUT AS THE SHOCK BEGAN TO WEAR OFF I SIMPLY LOOKED AT BIRDIE. I LOOKED AT THE HAPPY GIRL WHO LIVES AN INCREDIBLE LIFE AND LOVES BEING ALIVE, WAS CLEAR. MY DECISION WAS ABSOLUTELY NOT. I REALIZED THEY Weren't SUGGESTING EUTHANASIA BECAUSE BIRDIE OR BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PATH FORWARD. THIS WAS ABOUT HOW THEY VIEWED BIRDIE, HOW THEY BELIEVED A TWO LEGGED AND INCONTINENT DOG COULD NOT HAVE A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE AMOUNT OF CARE SHE REQUIRES IS SIMPLY TOO MUCH. WELL, THEY OBVIOUSLY DON'T KNOW US, THEY DON'T KNOW OUR COMMUNITY, AND THEY DEFINITELY DON'T KNOW THE DOG SITTING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM. BIRDIE HAS A BEAUTIFUL QUALITY OF LIFE. SHE REQUIRES EXTRA BUT AS THE PERSON WHO HAS ACTUALLY BEEN PROVIDING THAT CARE, I CAN CONFIDENTLY TELL YOU SHE IS SO WORTH IT. SO DON'T WORRY, WE ARE NOT EUTHANIZING BIRDIE. WE ARE NOT EVEN CONSIDERING IT. WHAT WE ARE DOING, IS GETTING BIRDIE THE HECK OUT OF HERE.

Original caption

I genuinely thought they were telling me Birdie was dying💔 When euthanasia was brought up, when they said it was really severe, I asked if her infection had become so severe that she wasn’t going to make it… or if we had somehow reached a point where continuing to fight for her would mean allowing her to suffer😭 But the more we talked, the more I realized, the infection I came to this hospital seeking help for wasn’t why euthanasia was being recommended. This was about how they viewed Birdie. They simply did not believe a dog like Birdie could have a good quality of life, and felt the amount of care she requires is too much. We’ve been caring for Birdie for the past month in a freaking CAMPER!!!😂 And I’m standing here being told how difficult Birdie is to care for after a fully equipped veterinary hospital cared for her for ONE night😂 Trust me, I know exactly how much work Birdie is. And I know exactly how worth it she is!!! And quality of life… this girl lives the happiest most fulfilled life ever and THAT is the part that seems to be getting lost here. Birdie LOVES being alive!!! She wakes up happy. She swims. She runs. She explores. She plays. She makes the absolute most out of every single day🌊💕 She isn’t some unwanted dog we’re desperately hoping someone will eventually agree to care for. We have incredible families fighting for the privilege of giving her that care for the rest of her life. Birdie has an entire community around the world ready to show up for her again and again! Birdie does not need someone deciding whether she’s worth the work. She needs medical care. And she deserves a team that looks at all that life in her and thinks, “How do we get this girl back to living it?”🐾🫶🏼 I’m done trying to convince people of what we already know. I’m not wasting time searching for somewhere closer or trying to explain Birdie’s complicated history to another team. We’re going straight back to Los Angeles. Back to the surgeon who performed her amputations, knows exactly what was done, and believed in her future from the beginning. Let’s go get our girl the help we came here for!!