Tragedy brings people together

Those of us who live in rural areas suffer much when any of our friends are hurting. This past week, when the Tucumcari Animal Hospital was burned, and 50 helpless animals were killed, we became more aware than ever of just how precious our pets are and how much we sympathize with the people who are in great pain as they mourn their loss.

While visiting with Dr. Jean Corey, a veterinarian, I could see the shock and pain she was enduring as she worked in the disaster area. She was exhausted but was not about to leave the scene because she had so much work to do. She had been contacting the clients who had lost their pets in the fire and was mourning the loss of so many of her own whom she had cared for when no one else would take them in.

A short time later, I was honored to accompany Norma Crellin to the scene so she could see the remains of her little Schnauzer, Barney, and tell him goodbye. Again, the pain and shock were great as she and Dr. Corey said a few words to each other. The love that each of them showed for the precious creatures was overwhelming. They had obviously lost members of their families and couldn't begin to believe how such an incident could have happened here in our community.

Those of us who love our pets so deeply can understand the sadness they were feeling, but we cannot comprehend the shock that had shaken them to the core. Yes, we have lost our little ones through the years, but we have never lost them in such a drastic manner. Neither can we begin to understand how anyone could take the lives of such helpless creatures. Because we love and respect life, we cannot fathom how others do not feel that same love and respect. We cannot begin to comprehend their thought patterns or their willingness to inflict such pain on any living creature.

During such trying times, (times which most of us never dreamed of seeing in our area) about all we can do is to offer our help to those in need and be even more aware of just how precious life really is. We can but pray that anyone who would cause such pain to so many people and their loved ones would be willing to ask for help. We can offer to do all we can to help Dr. Corey to be able to return to her practice — a practice which so many of us rely on and need desperately when our creatures are ailing.

We can offer our sympathy to all who lost their pets and help them through these difficult days. We can even offer to help them to find new little friends. We are well aware that no pet can be replaced, but new pets can build their own places in our hearts. We cannot begin to place a price on life, but we can begin to be more aware of just how fleeting it can be.

Let's just try to help our friends move forward and see what we can do to aid them to ease the pain, erase the bitterness, and show them that we care. From the depths of their despair, we can help to lift them toward hope. We really can stand together when we need to!

Lynn Moncus is a Tucumcari resident and can be contacted through the Quay County Sun by calling 461-1952.