Dear Editor,
I went to visit my mom Christmas Day.
She lives at Langley Memorial Hospital in extended care.
I always bring my little 10-pound Chinese-crested dog to visit, as she always puts smiles on everybody’s face.
Today, for some reason, a nurse I had never seen before approached me and said I’m not to put the dog down to wander about as she may trip one of the patients. That is almost laughable, as you’d be hard pressed to find one person able to walk unassisted.
I was in their eating/sitting area, visiting a gentleman and lady who I see everytime I visit my mom.
We were laughing as I was showing them how Spikey, my dog, can walk on her hind legs, when a nurse approached and said that the dog must not be left to wander about as she may trip patients.
The seated gentleman shook his head saying, “this is stupid, she brings the dog here all the time!”
The lady seated also voiced her opinion saying “that’s not right she’s out of line,” meaning the nurse. The nurse walked away.
The gentleman, lady, and I spoke about what had just happened – on Christmas Day of all days!
The three of us disagreed with the nurse, so I motioned and called to her to come here as I wanted to speak to her.
She came over and I said, “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before, but I want you to know that I have always brought my dog when I come visit my mom and nobody has ever said a word of disapproval or complained in the eight or 10 years that Moms been here. You are the first and only.”
The nurse then said, “I’m not here to discuss this anymore and I’m calling security to remove you!”
I was shocked to say the least.
I ended up saying, “For crying out loud it’s Christmas you __tch.”
Admittedly, I called her a __tch a few times as I made my way out and had to quickly explain to my mom, who had been in washroom when this all came down. I left my mom in tears on Christmas Day!
That’s unacceptable in my world! Merry Christmas?
Katherine Gillanders, via email
