Blue Juice

Patricia Morris is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Drury University.

"This book may be found useful by clinical veterinarians and by their clients as well. Veterinarians may find some comfort in knowing that their concerns are shared by many other members of their profession and may learn of different alternative options to deal with these issues. Pet owners will similarly benefit by gaining a better appreciation of the complexity of these issues and of the perspective of the veterinarians. In the end, one can hope that this improved understanding of the issues related to companion animal euthanasia by all parties involved will result in a benefit to the animals, and that will be everybody's gain." - Animal Welfare, May 2013 "[T]his book [offers] detailed insight into the professional and private tensions experienced by practicing vets during the course of their work, but primarily when they perform euthanasia on animals. The author draws expertly from her rich data set, helping us learn a great deal about the nature of this complex occasion. [The book] helps us to understand the ethical and moral complexity of animal euthanasia, how vets undertake this work, and cope with the emotional consequences, for all involved. The rich and insightful nature of the account give[s] us confidence that the author has made significant in-roads into understanding this difficult and complex practice, from the point of view of those undertaking it." - Symbolic Interaction "Morris effectively describes the complexity, frustration, confusion, emotionality, and inconsistency encountered daily by veterinarians who must make decisions about ending the lives of their patients... Blue Juice appears to be the most thorough and accurately depicted work surrounding euthanasia and the effect of euthanasia-related practice issues on veterinary practitioners... Morris's work is an effective and eloquent description of the reality of the conundrum of euthanasia in veterinary medicine... She addresses well the extreme efforts by veterinarians to provide compassionate and professional care for both patients and clients. Morris's observations are compelling, insightful, and artfully articulated. Her book should be required reading for every veterinary student, every veterinary educator, every veterinary curriculum committee, and all veterinary medical education accreditation organizations." - Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, April 2013 "Morris skillfully analyzes...aspects of veterinary euthanasia. In doing so, she sheds light on issues salient for the fields of work and occupations, the sociology of emotions, and, perhaps most significantly, death and dying. Moreover, the book enhances the research on dramaturgy and constitutes an important addition to the growing literature on human/animal relations... Blue Juice brims with insights about the complexity, conflict, and satisfaction associated with not only protecting life but also dispensing death. One of the strengths of the book comes through Morris' analysis of how veterinarians navigate the dual role of healer of animals and provider of services to clients... Another of the book's strengths is its analysis of emotions... Blue Juice is a thoroughly researched, clearly written, well-organized book. It offers a rich ethnographic analysis of euthanasia in veterinary medicine while reflecting on implications that extend far beyond that domain." - Contemporary Sociology "Blue Juice is a valuable and novel investigation of an act which is so commonplace to veterinarians that having someone from a completely different sphere evaluating what we do is a really useful piece of work. Thank you Dr. Morris." - Anthrozoos, June 2014

• Acknowledgments Introduction: Euthanasia in Veterinary Medicine; 1 - Negotiating Death: Managing Disagreement with Pet Owners; 2 - Creating a "Good" Death: The Dramaturgy of Veterinary Euthanasia; 3 - Strange Intimacy: Managing Pet Owners' Emotions; 4 - Learning to Euthanize: Death and the Novice Veterinarian; 5 - Coping with Euthanasia: Emotion-Management Strategies; Conclusion: Animals as Property and Patients References; Methods Appendix; Index