I AM THANKFUL MY CLIENT CHOSE TO HAVE HER DOG EUTHANIZED

I am thankful my client chose to have her dog euthanized when she moved into assisted living.

On our second appointment, she told me she would have me euthanize her dog when she moved. (I would not have, but we never got to that point, thank goodness.)

She was a sweet, caring pet owner. It was common in the past to have pets euthanized when moving or having a baby or with any other major life change or financial difficulty.

As she sadly told me of her plan, she was holding Benji in her arms. As if he heard, Benji jumped into MY arms, and we were never apart again. She was relieved and grateful. Russ talked our apartment manager into accepting dogs in the complex. He was the best little dog we have ever known.

Amanda, 3 months and Benji, 11 years. They adored each other.

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Post from one year ago today...

November 5, 2016

MIXED MESSAGES

Post from two years ago today...

November 5, 2015

NINE LIVES WELL LIVED

I AM THANKFUL FOR MY JOB AT COLUMBINE ANIMAL HOSPITAL

I am thankful for my first job at Columbine Animal Hospital.

The first job I accepted in Denver was at Columbine Animal Hospital. I worked 80 hours a week including overnights. I struggled as a vet just out of school and often on my own. The atmosphere at work was a smidge bit toxic. Well, no, it sucked. It was very demotivating, but I was in mountain and forest and lake and dirt bike country living my dream of being a vet, and we couldn't be happier. At first.

My boss at Columbine Animal Hospital had Russ and I over for Christmas Eve. He gave me my first stethoscope which I still have today and is the best one I have ever had.

He took me on a balloon ride. A balloon ride you guys!

He took us boating a couple of times and let me carry his Miniature Dachshund Sherman everywhere. Sherman loved being carried like a baby. (I got my first and only case of ringworm on my inner elbow from Sherman's ears.)

When work gets rough, it's never as rough as overnights with two snake venom cases and one vial of antidote. (Littleton Hospital saved us. I didn't know how gutsy that was to ask. I just asked.)

When I get lonely for my family, they are never as far away as they were that first year.

When I work super hard, it is never on a continually busy day then night shift with no technical help.

When I struggle with ethical decisions, and, I hope, choose correctly, I never get as  much friction as I did at Columbine.

Columbine Animal Hospital made me tough. The rare down time I got was spent doing amazing things in the beautiful outdoors of Colorado. I treasure the time and the experiences. I haven't always, but I do now.

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Post from one year ago today...

November 4, 2016

MY FAVORITE BABY ANNOUNCEMENT

Post from two years ago today...

November 4, 2015

MAX AND SAMSON BY AUTUMN ARMSTRONG

WHEN I GROW UP, I WANT TO BE A VET

When I was between jobs in 2011, I started a comic strip called "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet," that continued until I had all my frustrations from previous experiences out of my system. There were a few comics about my current job, but not rooted in frustration. I wasn't sure where it would go and how it would end. Part of me wishes I was still creating the comic. I processed what I needed to process, and thankfully, ran out of new material.

I am thankful for every situation that I was able to turn into a comic.

When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet

I will post a comic from "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" here every Friday until we have gotten through them all. If you would like to see the original website where all the comics are, it is here...

When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet

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Post from one year ago today...

November 3, 2016

ON THIS DAY, ANYTHING GOES

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Post from two years ago today...

November 3, 2015

I HAVE BEEN MEANING TO TELL YOU

I AM THANKFUL FOR BEING TOLD I COULD NOT BE A VET IN DENVER

This Thanksgiving...

I am thankful that in 1997, the AVMA President told me I would never find a job as a veterinarian in Denver. She was giving a "motivational" talk to our veterinary class. She said that veterinary jobs were everywhere, unless we wanted to live in Denver or work with marine animals. I went up after the talk and explained my situation to her. "I would be able to find a job in Denver, wouldn't I?"

"No," she said. "Absolutely not."

Denver - No! You cannot work here!

Our whole plan for after I finished veterinary school was to move to Denver for Russ to go to graduate school at Denver Seminary. We were locked into our plan by our own excitement and stubbornness, so we saw no other option than to move to Denver where I would find the said to be non-existent veterinary job.

Denver Seminary

Being told I cannot do something is always a huge motivator for me. :) I applied for several jobs and accepted a job with Columbine Animal Hospital within days of arriving in Denver.

Columbine Animal Hospital

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Post from one year ago today...

November 2, 2016

TSUM TSUM

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Post from two years ago today...

November 2, 2015

I HAVE NEVER TRIED THIS

THIS THANKSGIVING, I AM THANKFUL...

This Thanksgiving...

I am thankful that in 1997, the AVMA President told me I would never find a job as a veterinarian in Denver.

I am thankful for my first job at Columbine Animal Hospital.

I am thankful my client chose to have her dog euthanized when she moved into assisted living.

I am thankful that my first home euthanasia almost destroyed me.

I am thankful I was with my pets when they died.

I am thankful Russ's job as the youth pastor at Castle Oaks Church ended.

I am thankful Mom and Dad let us stay in their home for eight months. 

I am thankful our house in Omaha smelled like apples when we first walked through.

I am thankful for the financial struggles we have faced as a couple and I have faced as a veterinarian.

I am thankful for my time at Banfield Pet Hospitals and my friendship with Tiemanns.

I am thankful for Joy's medical issues.

I am thankful for Luna's housetraining issues.

I am thankful Abby wants to be a veterinarian.

I am thankful Amanda does not want to be a veterinarian.

I am thankful for projects that have ended.

I am thankful for the day we had five euthanasias.

I am thankful for my small mammal and cat allergies.

I am thankful for my introversion.

I am thankful for my scars.

I am thankful for my OCD.

I am thankful for my depression.

Tomorrow...I will begin to tell you why...

Post from one year ago today...

November 1, 2016

HAPPY FALL

Post from two years ago today...

November 1, 2015

FRANK THE CAT AND JOY THE PUPPY HELP TEACH SUNDAY SCHOOL