VN January 2023

Vetnews | January 2023 49 With Christmas and the end of the year just around the corner, one is inclined to reflect on the past year – a year of great difficulty for many. What with the after-effects of Covid, job losses and harsh economic conditions, all just to be aggravated by the load shedding, excessive fuel prices, and deteriorating roads and infrastructure. All of this amounts to nothing when one considers how many colleagues we have lost this past year, many of whom succumbed to their own hands—the most recent, a beautiful young lady who had graduated just two years ago. What were her aspirations and those of her family for her two years back? Great celebrations for a degree in what is perhaps the most trying of all! Now all lying on the side of a cold and lonely hill in Clococlan. Life is extremely fragile, as I recently discovered on a trip to the outer reaches of deserted Africa. I left here all well and ready to meet the day. On the third day, after doing about 100 pregnancy tests in extremely hot and humid conditions, the wheels fell off completely. I stumbled back to the camp; I was on my own, with all other members of the team being involved with other activities. Believing I had a severe case of heat stroke, I sat under the shower for an extended period and started feeling slightly better after a while. Four days later, after a very difficult trip, I returned tomy office and was told by my concerned secretary that I was off to the doctor. The lovely lady doctor sent me straight to the hospital, where they cared for me for the better half of a week. At the end of this, they still had no answer as to the cause. Several days later, a systemic E.coli was isolated and treated successfully. Yes, that dreadful little bug we are all too familiar with. I know it was a near-death experience, and it could happen to any of us. A beautiful poem that reflects a lot of what we need to consider: Barely the day has started .. and its already six in the evening. Barely arrived on Monday and its already Friday, and the month is already over and the year is almost over ..and already 40, 50 or 60 years of our lives have passed …and we realize that we have lost our parents and friends, and we realize its too late to go back. So, let’s try, despite everything to enjoy the remaining time. Let’s keep looking for the activities we like, Let’s put some colour in our grey. Let’s smile at little things in life that balm our hearts. And despite everything, we must continue to enjoy with serenity this time we have left. Let’s try to eliminate the afters. :Im doing it later Ill say after Ill think about it after We leave everything for later, like “after” is ours Because what we don’t understand is that: Afterwards the coffee gets cold; afterwards the charm 9’s broken, afterwards health passes, Afterwards the kids grown up afterwards parent get old Afterwards the day becomes the night, afterwards life ends and then its too late So lets leave nothing for later because still waiting to see you later, we can loose the best moments, the best experiences, the best friend, the best family…Today is today, the moment is now We are no longer at the age where we can postpone what needs to be done immediately. v Life plus 23 without parole Mike Lowry Mike Lowry has been in veterinary practice for "life plus 23" years. In this column, he shares his experiences and opinions . Regulars I Life plus 23 + 23 24-Hour, Toll-Free Helpline: 0800 21 21 21