WHITESHADOW'S KNUVIK
BORN OCTOBER 2, 1989
DIED MAY 19, 1998
Knuvik left this world too soon and for reasons that should never happen. He had bloat, a condition whereby the stomach fills with gas and sometimes turns, a life-threatening condition. He was taken to the Edmonton Veterinarians' Emergency Clinic for treatment as the bloat occurred on a long weekend, and the ONLY facility for miles around that could handle this emergency was this clinic.
Kevin Hickey, Knuvik's owner/and lifetime friend took him immediately for help to this clinic based on the advice of our local Leduc veterinarian, Dr. Dave Tenser. Believing that time was crucial and treatment essential Kevin did what he thought best for Knuvik to save his life. Unfortunately the policy of the Edmonton Veterinarians' Emergency Clinic is in my opinion the ulimate reason Knuvik is no longer with us. It was not the treatment that he received, it was the issue of money for the surgery and the policy that it had to be paid immediately. Kevin had contacted me and I rushed into the clinic to be with him. We met with the veterinarian and she informed us she felt that if he required surgery that he had a 70% chance of recovery. We were also told that the cost of the surgery would be $1500.00 or more depending on whether complications arose. At 3:30AM when I called to check on his condition I was informed that Knuvik had taken a turn for the worse and would need surgery. Kevin was contacted and was prepared to proceed with the surgery and asked if the clinic could take payments in three installments. He was informed that it was the policy of the clinic that payment be made immediately. Unfortunately like many these days, it is not always easy to come up with this amount of money in the middle of the night. Kevin was faced with the heart wrenching decision of having to put Knuvik down due to lack of immediate funds. There are some who would say this was a lot of money for surgery for a "dog", others who would say "who knows if the surgery would have saved Knuvik", others who would say Knuvik was almost 9 years old and maybe he would not have survived due to his age. This is not the point...the issue is we will never know and Kevin and Knuvik were not given the opportunity based on a payment policy. I have nothing but the greatest respect , admiration and appreciation for the veterinarians I have dealt with and have never encountered this type of policy and hope that it is not a common one. I have chosen to make people aware of this particular situation in hopes that other animals will not be destroyed when caring owners are not able to make immediate payment. I know for a fact that this would not have been the case at the clinic where Knuvik was normally treated.
I am now developing a fund in Knuvik's name and I am inviting all the puppy buyers that we have sold dogs to over the years to contribute to the fund so that should anyone encounter a similar situation there will be immediate funds available on a loan basis to aid in the cost of emergency surgery. It is too late for Knuvik, but consider this situation and if you are a breeder reading this you might want to take steps to protect the animals you bred.
I am one that does not believe life and death of any human or animal should be decided based on finances.
Now I look back at Knuvik and Kevin with memories of a young lad in high school, that begged his mother to be allowed to purchase him with money he had earned himself. Kevin and Knuvik were often in contact with us, and Knuvik would come to stay with us when Kevin left on short trips, but they were never parted for long. Knuvik was part of the wedding when Kevin and Glenda were married, and the day after they were married, much to my surprise I got a call from Kevin wanting Knuvik back until they actually left for their honeymoon. Shaking my head and laughing I watched them head off together as they left my home. I remember when I saw Knuvik with Katilyn, Kevin and Glenda's baby girl, he sat protectively by her car seat. I have many good memories of Knuvik and Kevin, it is unfortunate the last one I have is the heart breaking tears of a young man forced to let his friend down, in his opinion because of money. Kevin and I have talked and he is trying to resolve in his heart what has happened. I hope only never to have to face this situation again. I can accept death but I have a hard time accepting that we all can be faced with putting a dollar value on a lifetime friend and companion.
Knuik you are remembered... you are loved... rest in peace.