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| Bosca edits an early draft. |
We’re in a writing cave. You know when you’re coming to
the end of a project, an assignment, a Phd, a book, a major project – and you’re
just about there, but not quite? That time when you’re living on toast, asking
anyone brave enough to inquire about your welfare to proofread something for
the umpteenth time, wearing things you really should have culled from your
wardrobe in 1982 but who is going to see them???, and growing a beard like
Robinson Crusoe? It’s like every study vacation I had rolled into one single,
eternal block…
Well, apart from the beard part, we’re there. Apologies
if SAT has been a little quiet this week – we’re working hard and devoting just
about every waking minute to this project, a textbook of veterinary ethics that
we are co-authoring and editing with Dr Siobhan Mullan from Bristol University.
I feel like an ultramarathon runner, except most of this has
been done sitting around and I can only make this comparison because I’ve never
actually run an ultramarathon. I expect its a lot harder (albeit for a shorter period...)
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| Phil and Bosca take advantage of sun after the rain. Whenever I look up I see a variation on this scene. |
Fortunately we’ve had endless support, particularly from
non-human companions who have basically slept through the entire process and
punctuated my day asking for meals, walks and grooms. And loads of help from
friends and family who have popped over for a “shut up and write session” (this
is an hour of power where phones are down, internet – unless you need it to
download citations – is strictly off, and you both sit there and just write
like crazy – try it if you haven’t), debated ethical scenarios, provided
thoughtful counter-examples, sent texts and emails of support and been so kind –
thank you!
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| We're looking forward to a bit of a break after this deadline. |
We’ll be returning to normal service next week. Meanwhile
you’re welcome to email us about any ethical dilemmas or conflict you’ve
experienced, either as a veterinarian, nurse, student, technician, client or in
another role. We’re in that headspace.
