SNOW DAY!

The beautiful and amazing Stormy Girl - one of my absolute favorite dogs <3

Remember that last snow storm in Omaha this spring? When we hoped we could stay home in our jammies and work was NOT cancelled but we were already in Snow Day Mode so we needed it to be a fun day?

Love you too Daisy Choi! Tell your family you need a bigger toy!

Good call Boss, and thanks Mayor! The roads were not terrible, and everyone - team and clients - arrived and returned home safely. But, as mentioned, we were already in Snow Day Mode and needed to keep that energy going.

Dougie’s love languages are Words of Affirmation and Toys

This is the energy I sought to bring to the day.

So I started the work day in The Basement. The Basement is pretty scary and may have (probably has) ghosts, but I love it. Pretty sure I am the only one who does.

The beautiful Chia and her duck! From her Mom Nancy Freedman-Smith, wonderful friend and trainer extraordinaire - I have learned so much from you!

Kathi Ortmeier, the incomparable and amazing leader of Basset and Beagle Rescue of the Heartland, had donated a huge box of teddy bears, other toys and some snacks to give to our patients. Other incredible rescues had donated more fun things. So had some of our drug reps. Thank you all!

Oh Max Ricci! You and your Mom have my heart - RIP <3

I grabbed a cardboard box from The Basement and filled it with toys.

Cici! Adopted by friend and coworker Izzy Leonard from the rescue with the best name ever for a rescue focused on brachycephalic dogs - SNAFU :)

Every dog who came in that day went home with a stuffed animal or Kong. For no good reason other than we needed a fun day. It was SO MUCH fun.

Buttercup! Like Dougie if he were way lighter and more shy and had perfect manners :) Also from a great friend and coworker - Megan Mace <3

My favorite interaction of the day was with a beautiful giant yellow Lab. He needed sedation for a procedure that morning. With snow falling outside the treatment room window, he stood in the middle of the room and held his new stuffie to help him be brave while he got his injection. I do the same at the dentist kiddo.

Pip! Another favorite! This is Pip on her seventh birthday. Thank you to her wonderful Mom DeAnn Saari for this great photo <3

After he had been sedated, he took his new teddy bear to his kennel, looked around carefully and set it in the corner. He laid his head down on his bear and fell asleep. It might have been the cutest thing I have ever seen. And I tell you what, I have seen cute things.

The super handsome Odin - photo from friend and veterinary school classmate Dr. Eva Groth <3

Rest in Peace beautiful Sadie Girl - Thank you to her Mom and high school (and still!) friend Katrina Andrews <3

When Yellow Lab woke up, he picked his new teddy bear up and trotted out to his Moms, none the wiser about his medical procedure but with a new toy from his friends.

It was the best day.

The exceptionally handsome Quinn - miss you buddy! From his awesome Mom Trisha Rae

Better even than a snow day as a kid. Well, it was definitely as good as a snow day as a kid.

From friend Alexis Studenberg - what a great dog! Dougie loves this toy too!

We emptied that box almost completely that day. Over the next several weeks, we gave the remaining teddy bears and Kongs to new puppies and anxious dogs, and it always made my day better. Theirs too I hope.

Mischa Mae, Lake Dog! From her awesome Mom Janie Helt - not a Puggy but just as cute!

As the box emptied, I got kinda sad. But it was a fun run.

Jynx the Frenchie and Bean :) From their awesome Mom Terrie Clark - I still miss you Friend!

A new pittie pup came in the other day for her first visit. If you remember Penelope, our Nebraska Humane Society friend from several years ago who boarded for a few weeks while we treated her leg wounds, this puppy was her spitting image. I walked by the empty toy box wishing I had saved a few things back.

The gorgeous Pepper (merle) and Scout (black and white) of Dr. Lynda Laird and family - love you all!

There were four new Kongs in the box and two lick mats. It was a Snow Day miracle!

O Branch! I hope you know I love you and your family! Those tennis balls make you look huge Buddy! From forever friend and veterinary technician (always) turned bad ass Torrid manager Erika Workman <3

Thanks Lyn <3

O Whiskey. I will always love you and your family! Best dog and best hair <3 RIP

I gave a Kong and a lick mat to New Puppy’s family.

Sandy (RIP) and Tiki - who I am almost positive was a littermate of our Luna Girl - both adopted from Nebraska Humane Society - from their amazing Mom and veterinary assistant turned awesome (human) nurse!

Best moment of the day.

Pink, Weird Dog :) and adorable new pup - from their amazing Mom Jenna who I worked with for a minute and kept for a lifetime (It’s in the fine print friends - you are stuck with me :)) Love you all!

And now, Yellow Lab could use your thoughts and prayers. He did not have his stuffie with him when he came in this time, but he did hold my hand. And I did not make him stay, which I think he appreciated.