10/31/2026
❌You do not get to have an opinion.❌
This is a hard time of year for Veterinarians. Often behind closed doors we give it nicknames to help with the emotions. “Culling” or “Planting” season.
It is emotionally wrecking, even if my face doesn’t show it. In the last 7 days, I have told 11 people euthanasia is ok. I have preformed 4. Several more are scheduled. The reasons vary. A mid aged horse with excessive hock arthritis and a young owner struggling to afford the expensive care that 🤞🏻might🤞🏻get her sound. A teenaged thoroughbred tough enough to find a kick to the radius and the now prolific arthritis causing major issues to his knee. A 30 year old whose weight is being loss and seeming not able to regain. Another old horse struggling to stand once down. Laminitis. Old age. Hard financial times. I stood quiet and made people cry.
Because it is my job to give you all warranted options. Even the hard ones. It is also to support the decision, most importantly when it is hard. To tell you, it is ok.
These are conversations for owners and veterinarians.
Not for gossip in barn aisles. Not for judgement because “it isn’t what I would do.”
No one cares what you would do. It isn’t your horse. It isn’t your place. And you are being an as***le.
This hits an extra hard place for me. I choose to Euthanize my Nike on a beautiful day. I agonized over the decision. My colleagues and closest friends heard my yo-yo of emotions and thoughts for months. I spent thousands of dollars to save him. Inevitably, I euthanized a 16 year old horse who I called #1 son. He was lame on both forelimbs. For different reasons. He looked sound in a straight line but no longer trotted or cantered. He was painful despite medications. He was hard to catch in his stall for the first time in his life. He no longer wanted turnout. I knew him best. And it was a very pivotal moment when he told me it was time. When all the noise told me otherwise, I listened to him. 
I loved Nike more than anything else breathing. I did it myself. It was beautiful. He was comfortable, calm, and ready. It happened easily. Those present watched as laid across his neck and let go. I lost a piece of myself that day I thought I would keep for another 15 years. But I couldn’t ask that of him. I shouldn’t.
The comments, and criticism after put me into a deep depression, it almost ended my life. Please read that again. It almost ended my life. Not the grief of losing my best friend. But the disgusting whispers and comments regarding one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made.
I never once stopped showing up to the farms. I never missed a single appointment. Clients saw nothing other than bags under my eyes. Grief, criticism, gossip and exhaustion was completely hidden. A set of mean Women decided my choice was wrong. I broke.
It took one of my best friends opening a door which invited safety. I crawled through it.
3 years later, a very different Dr. Meer exists. Someone who have never believed stronger in a good day. Those who whisper and comment won’t be there in the cold and mud if we let it progress too far. They won’t be there in the moments of panic and dread. When it’s miserable. But I will. They will very likely be at home, in their beds. The comments after will be we waiting too long. It’s amazing how judgement switches like that.
Politely, be quiet.
Bite your tongue until it bleeds.
And get the f**k out of conversations you do not belong.
Be a better human.
Don’t be an as***le.
I promise, with every ounce of my being, I will give you a piece of my mind. No filter attached. (Charlie will tell you, this is actually incredibly rare event. I do, indeed, have a massive filter. There are several people possibly reading this questioning if this is pointed directly at you. It is. Shut up. 🤐)
If I have taken the time to express to my clients that Euthanasia before the eminent need, is ok. It was a very well thought out conversation.
No one asked your opinion. And no one cares.
Be kind.
Have some compassion.
I strongly suggest you do not hit my own personal trauma button. I am no longer the withered, grieving shell of a human Nike’s loss and the onslaught of inappropriate comments created.
Leave those owners alone. Express your sympathies, and bite your tongue. Or I won’t.
Kindness is something our world and community has lost. In the bubble of my practice, High Water Veterinary Services, is named for the horse who created my passion for animals and medicine yet passed in a fire 18 months before I became the doctor he created. It was built by the back of a horse named Just Do it. And all the meanings Nike entails.
Both their names on tattooed on my forearms. A daily reminder that this practice was built on and for compassion, love, and immense horsemanship.
Anything else in its presence is unacceptable.
My dearest friends and clients, I have your backs. 🩶💙💚 I will defend you in rooms, and barn aisles you are not standing. I will fire the poorly behaved. You are not welcome here if you think as***le behavior associated around Euthanasia decisions are acceptable. When it comes to euthanasia. The decision and the process. The only appropriate answer is compassion. All other noise. I will squash. 🩶💙💚
With all my best, kindness and protective regards,
Be kind or get out,
Dr. Meer
In your memory, my dearest Nike. My clients deserve better than I received.
💚I miss you every single day. 💚 What a beautiful thing you built.💚

