Christmas is often envisioned as a day of joy, filled with family, gifts, and warmth. For those of us working in emergency veterinary care, however, it’s another story—a mix of heartbreak, resilience, and the determination to help those who need us most.

This year, Christmas was a 14-hour marathon for me and my team. While I usually start the day with donuts for the staff, this year, every donut shop was closed. Instead, I arrived with tins of cookies, t-shirts and food gift cards—small tokens of appreciation for a team that would face a day no one could have predicted.

It was a day filled with tears, though not because of me! At least three staff members were in tears at various points during the shift. 

The cases we saw were overwhelming: dog fights, hit-by-car injuries, pancreatitis, rat poisonings, and a particularly memorable doodle that consumed not only a pineapple casserole but also the casserole dish itself.

Dr. Sandage arrived early to perform a C-section and an amputation, taking on the longer surgeries that I still can’t manage due to my ongoing recovery. Despite the challenges, we pushed forward.

One case, however, will linger with me for a long time. 

An 8-week-old basset hound, full of promise and joy, had dived under an older doodle to snatch a treat. The doodle reacted aggressively, ripping a large piece of the puppy’s skull off and compressing its neck. We stabilized the neck fracture with a brace, and for a fleeting moment, there was hope as the pup regained some consciousness. But it wasn’t enough. By mid-morning, the little basset hound succumbed to its injuries.

The loss was devastating, not just for the pup but for its owner—a woman who had recently lost her job of 17 years. She had brought the puppy into her life as a source of comfort and hope, only to face this unimaginable tragedy. 

As I consoled her, I encouraged her to believe in her ability to find a new job, reminding her that employers are eager for experienced workers like her. I’m not sure my words reached her through her grief, but I hope they did.

In the quieter moments between cases, my mind wandered to the future. During breaks, I set up plans to return as a volunteer veterinarian in Saipan, continuing work that holds a special place in my heart. I also completed one of the six modules required to renew my USDA accreditation—a reminder that even in the busiest of times, professional development and preparation for what lies ahead remain vital.

The New Year is just around the corner, and with it, new goals. 

In January, I’ll head to Belize for reef conservation work—a cause close to my heart. Later in the fall, I’ll embark on a trek to the base camp of Mount Everest with a vet I once coached. It’s an ambitious goal, and I have plenty of rehabilitation and training to do before then. 

Oh, and a client reminded me that she enjoyed my articles in the Ironton Tribune and that I hadn’t written for a while.  That is also back on my list to do better. 

Driving home that night, I resisted the urge to call one of my veterinary friends in the western time zone, as I often do to decompress. Instead, I turned to my current space opera on Audible, seeking the mental distance I needed after a day filled with so much loss. By the time I settled in for one last Christmas movie before bed, the emotions of the day had dulled to a manageable ache — a coping mechanism that allows us to face another day in the ER.

As the New Year approaches, I’ll be back in the ER on New Year’s Day. It’s another opportunity to help, to heal, and to support my team and our patients, even when the weight of the work feels insurmountable. 

For now, I’ll carry the lessons and memories of this Christmas, striving to find hope and purpose in the most challenging moments.

MJ Wixsom, DVM MS is a best-selling Amazon author who practices at Guardian Animal Medical Center in Flatwoods, Ky. GuardianAnimal.com 606-928-6566