IN LOVING MEMORY OF SNOOKIE JONES

Snickerdoodle (Snookie) Jones was my dog-niece. She was wonderful.

Matthew and Snookie - February 23, 2009 - January 5, 2017

Snookie was born on February 23, 2009 in Stromsburg Nebraska. Her Mom and Dad were owned by our cousin Sara and her family. 

One week old! Barely bigger than a crayon <3

She was adopted by Russ's sister Kristi and her family - Scott, Matthew, Ben and Jack.

Ben, Kristi, Matthew and Jack visiting Baby Snookie

Jack and Snookie

Kylah and Ben with Snookie

Russ with Snookie

The first time I held Snookie!

I love this picture of Snookie looking around the corner! She looks like she is up to something. She sometimes was :)

Snookie and Oreo Jones

Abby and Snookie

We love you Snookie. We sure will miss you.

...

Post from one year ago today...

January 8. 2016

SOMETIMES GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS, AND OTHER TIMES HE SENDS A CORGI

PET BLOGGER CHALLENGE 2017

Every January, a wonderful group of pet bloggers gathers and answers a set of blog-related questions together. This is a fun project I did yearly with Riley and James.

Our dogs, Joy the (8 year old) Puppy and Luna Lovegood

Here is this year's set of questions and my answers for FinchDVM...

When did you start your blog and, for anyone who is just seeing it for first time, please provide a description of your site. Would you say your blog focuses more on sharing stories with your readers, or providing a resource for your audience?

I started this daily blog, FinchDVM in September 2015 after blogging since 2006 on my veterinary site, Riley and James. My brother Dave created both sites for me.

This blog was meant to be a continuation of stories from Riley and James, but ended up with a much different feel. I still love it though. Now I post once a day where there it was very random, sometimes only every three months or so.

One fun thing about FinchDVM is that most of the pictures are processed with a red-green color blindness filter to make them similar to how a dog or cat would see them.

Here is a picture in full color.

Here is the same picture in dog and cat vision. The reds are washed out, and the greens would be too. The yellows and blues are about the same. I've noticed that the colors OF dogs and cats (blacks, browns, tans and whites) are unchanged which I found interesting. Do you like the subtle message of the picture? haha!

This is more of a story sharing site, but I try to include some pet care tips as well.

What was your proudest blogging moment of 2016?

I realized I really had posted every day and that this is sustainable.

Which of your blog posts was your favorite this year and why? (Please include a link.)

TOFU'S FIRST STEPS is one of my favorite blog posts from 2016, because it is such a happy one. Tofu is the baby Husky from Taysia Blue Rescue with me in my profile picture that my friend Becky took of us. He is now full-grown and completely healthy and in a wonderful loving home. I love him so much.

Tofu and me

Year after year, one goal that we all seem to share is that we want to reach more people. What one tool did you use or action did you take this year that had the most impact on increasing traffic to your blog?

Daily blogging has helped the most in reaching more people. 

Which of your blog posts got the most traffic this year? (Please include a link.) Have you noticed any themes across your most popular posts?

I can track traffic patterns over the past year, but only see popular posts from the past month or so. The most popular recent post is JOJO'S STORY about a sweet Chihuahua mix we treated.

It seems happy posts about individual pets are the most popular stories. They are also fun to write.

What blog do you find most inspirational and how has it influenced your blog? (Please include a link.)

Pawcurious

Dr. Andy Roark

These are wonderful blogs written by wonderful veterinarians. Through the years, these vets and their teams have shown me that this can be done and done well. I admire them both so much.

Critical Care DVM

Critical Care DVM is a blog by a friend here in Omaha, Dr. Chris Byers, who is double boarded in internal medicine and emergency and critical care. His website is very well done and easy to read. It is tailored to pet parents, but I learn so much from him.

Others I love - YOURS :) and Dr. Grumpy who is a human neurologist (I mean...a human who sees humans).

What is one thing your readers don’t know about you or your pets that would surprise them?

I don't know! I am kind of an open book, super private in real life, but I will write anything!

My human family, Amanda, me, Abby and Russ

What is something you’ve learned this year that could help other bloggers?

Remember this is for fun, this is for you and your readers. Details beyond that are counter-productive if they add stress to your life.

What would you like to accomplish on your blog in 2017?

I would like to reach more people, post content that encourages and uplifts and heals (even if it seems like it's about random things like mostly dead plants). I would like to keep enjoying this outlet and share that joy with all of you.

Now it’s your turn! You have the attention of the pet blogging community – is there a question you’d like answered, or an aspect of your blog that you’d like input on?

It is just good to reconnect with all of you :) Here's to a great 2017.

...

Pst from one year ago today...

January 7, 2016

CHARLIE FORGOT TO GIVE MY HEART BACK BEFORE HE LEFT

ADOPTION PACKETS FROM NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY

During Camp Kindness at Nebraska Humane Society, campers decorate the adoption packets for newly adopted pets.

Back of the packet

New adopters bring the packets containing all of the pet's medical history to their first well pet visit.

I love the decorated envelopes so much.

Here is a recent one that came with a sweet dog and his sweet 20-something year old Mom.

Front of the packet

"I didn't decorate that," she said. "It came that way."

"We know," we said.

...

Post from one year ago today...

January 6, 2016

CHARLIE PETZAR AND HIS MARSHMALLOWS

SOCK EATER

I should know how long a dog's small intestine is. I don't. I mean I do now, 3-4 meters, which is about 9-12 feet. So if I open an abdomen of a sock-eating dog and find quite a length of necrotic intestine, next time maybe I will not panic.

I had another horrible cold. I had only three dogs coming in, including my cousin Bella. "Pete, can I go home when I am done?" I begged. He directed me to go right home and recover. "Just two patients to go and I will," I promised.

My very next patient was Sock Eater. X-rays confirmed an obstruction. We could fit our hands around the offender in her very thin abdomen.

We saw our last patient, and Kelly and I prepared for surgery.

We cheered when we found the area of concern. We grimaced when we saw the extensive length of dark red bowel loops. Nothing dead could stay. I made a tiny incision and removed a very long sock. We watched for the intestines to pink up. They did not. 

Kelly scrubbed in. We got to work. When we were done, we had a stitched together dog, a (smelly) sock and a length of intestine waiting to be measured.

"How long is a dog's intestine?" Kelly asked.

"I think four feet," I answered.

"I hope I am wrong...this is four feet and one inch! 124 centimeters!"

Fortunately, I was wrong. VIN (Veterinary Information Network) corrected me, and reassured me that dogs could do well with a shortened small intestine, but they did best with at least 50% of what God gave them. I had removed an estimated one third of Sock Eater's small intestine, a dramatic first for me.

I had planned to go home and sleep off my cold while Sock Eater recovered and come back to check her, but I found I could not leave her. She and I slept on the treatment room floor as her anesthesia wore off.

I hugged Sock Eater's family as they left to transfer her. Apparently, it is not emotional enough to have a mournful dog beg you for help with her beautiful brown eyes. This is also a family we love dearly.

Sock Eater spent the night in the capable hands of the emergency clinic team. I called in the morning to check on her. "The team is in rounds. They will call you back." I could read nothing in the receptionist's voice.

One and a half hours later I called back and begged, "I just need to know if she's alive or dead!" The team member laughed and quickly told me Sock Eater was finishing breakfast.

I vowed to be as happy as I was stressed, to celebrate as long as I would have mourned.

It was an excellent weekend.

I am so happy Sock Eater is doing well.

...

Post from one year ago today...

January 3, 2016

I LIKE YOU! I MEAN, NICE TO MEET YOU.

YESTERDAY WAS ROUGH

A sweet patient passed away yesterday after surgery.

This case is monumental enough to send me into an Obie-esque depression spiral.

Just this past year I have finally completed my own forgiveness for accidentally killing our own dog Obie sixteen years ago during anesthetic induction for dental work. At least, I think I have. We will see how the aftermath of losing this patient goes. I feel as though some scars could be ripped open.

To this day, I do not keep conversations kid-appropriate in the car. I asked Russ how I avoid a spiral. How to keep from letting the process of dealing with the grief of losing this patient be all consuming.

From the back seat, Amanda said,

Let it happen Mom.

But don't let it destroy you.

Thank you Kelly...Kristen...Hannah...Laura, Nicole and Renee. Thank you Dr. Bashara, and thank you family.

We love you kiddo. You sure have a great family - and a vet team - who all loved you deeply. You will be dearly missed.

...

Post from one year ago today...

December 28, 2015

SINGLE TASKING SHOULD BE A WORD

PICTURES FROM CHRISTMAS DAY 2016

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!

We spent Christmas morning at home.

We got Joy and Luna their own new beds and their own new toys knowing this would happen...

Instead of playing together with the monkey toy (The tag said, "two dog toy!), they kept stealing it from each other and sulking when they did not have it. Also, there were new dog toys everywhere.

We went to Mom and Dad's for Christmas Day. Best Christmas yet! Mom, Dad, Oscar Puppy, Felix Puppy, Aunt Becky, Uncle Bill, Dave, Sara, Olive, Robert, Arthur, Karen and Phill and were there. THAT is a fun group!

Look at those baby polar bear paws! I love them so much!

Abby taught the puppies how to play the piano. I think they made some progress. Dawn would be proud!

We heard you had ham? And beer?

I told Aunt Becky if she didn't want pictures of her taken, she should stop being beautiful. She could not do it.

Arthur!

I love this picture of Robert showing Abby his fire truck!

Ernie Dog ornament that my tech friend painted for Mom several years ago

Do you ever remember rain storms in Omaha on Christmas? I don't, and I am very, very old.

Thank you for this puppy chow Aunt Penny! It was almost too pretty to eat! Also...it is mostly gone :)

I love these pictures!

Are you tired Oscar?

We are a little tired.

Merry Christmas!

...

Post from one year ago today...

December 26, 2015

SOCK MONKEY SOCK MEDICAL NOTES

PICTURES FROM CHRISTMAS EVE 2016

These are actually pictures through all of December out by Karen and Phill's and the Jones family's homes.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays all!

Lucy by her tree

The rarely photographed Phill Finch

I love this picture of Tidus and Lucy!

Karen and the doggies

Tidus being cute

Tidus being cute in a hoodie

Tidus and Abby

The rest of these are pictures from Christmas Eve at the Jones's house. Merry Christmas! We love you all!

Snookie Jones by her tree

The big kids decorating cookies

Abby and her hedgehog sweater and hedgehog friend-cousin

Oh Pickles!

Russ and Matthew

Facetiming with Kylah!

Nice smile Travis!

Matthew made this for Kristi! I cannot get over how gorgeous it is!

I tried to photoshop out Oreo's idiopathic corneal edema, but ended up leaving her in all her natural beauty. I could not fix it, but it does not hurt.

Jones's tree is always beautiful!

Amanda by the tree

:)

I am pretty sure by the time this is posted, Amanda will have stayed up all night reading this book from Aunt Jodi. She was so excited!

This is seriously about two minutes after the previous picture :)

That is not your hat, sir.

This is my favorite Christmas Eve picture! Aunt Kristi took it of Madi opening her gift from Kristi - a pillow with pictures of Madi and her horse on it :) I think Madi loves her pillow as much as I love this picture, maybe more.

When you are a big kid, gloves are a cool gift.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays and happy new year to you and your family with lots of love from ours <3

...

Post from one year ago today...

December 25, 2015

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

MERRY PURPLE CHRISTMAS TREE 2016

For the past several years, we have gotten our Christmas tree from Cirian's Farmers Market in Midtown Omaha. 

It does not show in dog and cat vision, but the tree Abby was looking at was flocked a beautiful bright green.

"Why do you flock trees green?" I asked the person helping with our tree.

"Because we can. Why do they dye their hair purple?" he replied.

:)

Abby noticed a tree was flocked black with sparkles. So this year for the first time, our tree is not only flocked purple, it also has sparkles. What's the downside?

The tree is BEAUTIFUL! So is our floor. In EVERY room. And both dogs. Again, no downside!

Russ and Joy prepare to decorate.

My favorite picture - Amanda lifting Abby up to put Grandma Amanda's angel on the top of the tree!

One picture in full color! Because, purple you guys!

This tree skirt is missing hand prints from the years we have had pets who would have peed on it. We are missing quite a few years. Still cute though. And pee-free!

...

Post from one year ago today...

December 22, 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

OLIVIA THE TURTLE VISITS SANTA

My friend vet tech Erin has a friend named Stephanie.

Stephanie has a turtle named Olivia.

Olivia visited Santa.

The picture of Olivia visiting Santa totally made my day!

I hope it makes your day too.

Olivia, were you a good turtle this year? What did you ask for from Santa?

Do you want to see MORE pictures of Olivia in the future??

I have heard from reliable sources that Olivia has more sweaters and that there are more pictures of her! :)

...

Post from one year ago today...

December 21, 2015

THIS COFFEE IS PRETTY SPECIAL