I work in the oil and gas industry - with a reputation for rough characters. I work with a few. But one of them made a gesture that just touched my heart, and made me fall over laughing all at once.
This coworker, tough and mean on the exterior, was in my office talking to me when he noticed syringes on my desk. I use them for Symlin. He asked if I still used "needles", and I gave him the short answer yes, those and a pump. I then got the short history of his dog's fight with diabetes, ending with his beloved hound's blindness and death.
Yesterday, said character walks into my office with a brand-spanking new container of 100 animal grade syringes, complete with their own sharps container with Fido emblazoned on the side. He explained that he wouldn't be needing the syringes any longer since the dog's death, and he thought I could put them to good use.
I thanked him, and let him escape my office before the embarrassment of doing something nice overcame him. Then I sat down with amazement and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
I may keep the container of large bore, super-long syringes intact sitting on the mantle - Fido gazing from the front panel out on the living room, as a reminder - people do care!
Joe
