New comic every Friday!
Oh Freebird!
Freebird says "Ain't nobody got time for this reindeer nonsense!"
That's better! Good job Joe!
Buttercup <3
ONE YEAR AGO
TWO YEARS AGO
One of my favorite client families has the last name "Fox." They gave me this wine and fox wine topper for Christmas last year. I love it so much!
Today's post is a radiograph (x-ray) of a miniature ornament. I do not remember why we took the x-ray. Either to compare to the contents of a dog's stomach who may of eaten an ornament or just for funsies. I think it was the first one.
Anyways, I thought it was a pretty picture and wanted to share it with you!
ONE YEAR AGO
TWO YEARS AGO
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23, NIV
"Don't harden your hearts..." Hebrews 3:8, NIV
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know.”
― A.A. Milne, The Pooh Story Book
Things I have been told during my career:
"You need to toughen up."
"You can not be so emotionally invested."
"You need a harder heart."
No, no and no.
When there is grief, I need to be gentle, I care deeply and I need a soft heart. The payoff has always been that I am emotionally steamrollered. One sad case can flatten me for days and have lasting effects. It has always been worth it. I would rather be there in the midst of the sadness than anywhere else.
But what if instead of our hearts becoming hardened or remaining completely vulnerable to destruction, there were a third option?
We are instructed in the Bible to guard our hearts, but not to to have hard hearts. How is that possible?
I think the key is in developing a stronger heart.
How?
Some of the strengthening of a heart is supernatural. It is not something we can will to happen, but it is something we can allow to happen.
When the next appointment is a euthanasia or a quality of life consult, do you open the door and walk in prepared to be fully emotionally engaged? Already, with each experience your heart grows stronger.
Our hearts can also be strengthened through repetition. Keep walking into difficult situations over and over. Not that we have a choice as veterinary professionals. Guard your heart. Do not let it become hardened. Let it grow stronger with every experience.
You are already stronger than you know and becoming even stronger.
"Don't Let Your Heart Be Hardened" by Petra
Don't let your heart be hardened - don't let your love grow cold
May it always stay so childlike - may it never grow too old
Don't let your heart be hardened - may you always know the cure
Keep it broken before Jesus, keep it thankful, meek, and pure
May it always feel compassion - may it beat as one with God's
May it never be contrary - may it never be at odds
May it always be forgiving - may it never know conceit
May it always be encouraged - may it never know defeat
May your heart be always open - never satisfied with right
May your heat be filled with courage and strengthened with all might
Let His love rain down upon you
Breaking up your fallow ground
Let it loosen all the binding
Till only tenderness is found
ONE YEAR AGO
TWO YEARS AGO
Milo belongs to my veterinarian friend Miranda Thomassen and her family. He is the cutest dog!
Oh Milo! You are so cute!
Gulliver's Christmas photo...
Have you ever seen anyone so beautiful? Me neither! Thank you Jaime and Ross! Beautiful photo by The Pic Chick Photography.
From Mom, Jaime...
I honestly have no idea how she even got that picture of Gulliver because he was totally wound up that day and wouldn’t sit still. We had to shake treat bags for an hour to get him to focus for a moment at a time and he got so many treats that he barfed once we got home.
ONE YEAR AGO
TWO YEARS AGO
WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND
New comic every Friday!
This particular stranger-than-normal comic strip could use some explaining. It was one of the first "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" strips, published in November 2011, but is not a part of the chronological story line. I drew it as my small contribution to Blogathon 2011, an online blogging event held in November 2011 to raise money for several animal charities. The "unofficial" theme of Blogathon 2011 was zombies, thus the zombie giraffe of this strip.
The comic strip is based on a terribly disturbing short story that I probably should not have read in junior high, but I did. I have not read it again until this week, when I read it to see if it is as creepy as I remember. It is. Anyways, the comic is based on my memory of that story, with the happy twist I believe Dr. Vet would have given it as a kid. The story is The Monkey's Paw, written by W. W. Jacobs and published in 1902. If you click the title, the entire text is online. Awful, huh? And awesome.
Happy reading! If you get scared by The Monkey's Paw, sleep with the light on...That is what I did both times I read it.
Happy 9th Birthday and a day Joy! We love you so much!
These cutes belong to my veterinary technician friend Erika. They would like to wish you a Merry Christmas!
Frank is the cat of my veterinary technician friend, Allison Parker. I love Frank and his cute face so much!
Merry Christmas from Frank!
Frank in dog and cat vision!
Remember Toski the Corgi? He has a new trick he would like to show you!
Toski Sends His Letter to Santa...
He also hopes you have a very good holiday season!
Photo from Christmas Time 2016
From the Omaha Police Mounted Patrol, "Santa was out with Blaze and Eastwood accompanied by Officers Waller and Vansickle."
Thank you to the Omaha First Responders (and of course Santa) for all you do! We appreciate you!
Merry Christmas from Hannah and Charlie!
This is my friend Hannah's cat Charlie. Once a year, Charlie dresses in her Christmas best for a picture. You are such a good sport, Charlie!
Dog and cat vision!
New comic every Friday!
Our prize goldfish and her friend have another friend added a year in - The Plecostaomus. He is pretty shy and difficult to photograph.
Here are Sapphire and Ruby in September 2016, the day we got them.
They were tiny!
Here are Sapphire and Ruby in September 2017.
I have just started a few projects with a fun group, Rover.com.
Rover is the nation's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.
How Rover Works
by Nat Smith, Rover.com community member
Rover.com is a dynamic, supportive community of dog lovers. The site connects owners with dedicated, experienced caregivers who provide a range of services like pet sitting and dog walking.
But it goes deeper than that. At its heart, Rover gives you a way to expand the borders of your family. Whether you’re a busy owner who needs a trusted source of support or an experienced pet-sitter with a lot of love to give, Rover makes it possible to find exactly what you need.
How The Site Works
When you sign up, you can set up a profile as a dog owner, dog sitter, or both. For sitters, Rover will run a background check to ensure the safety of the site’s users. Rover specialists determine whether a sitter’s level of experience qualifies them to provide care through the site, and once they approve an application, the sitter can complete their profile.
Owners use the search tools to find local care providers. They might need dog boarding, house sitting, dog walking, doggy day care, or drop-in visits. Owners then browse profiles, contact a sitter, and set up a meet and greet prior to the initial stay.
Rover itself provides access to 24/7 support, including vet assistance; handles automatic, secure payments; covers premium insurance for both parties; and walks owners and sitters through every step of the process.
Hiring a Sitter
Owners should think through the following questions: What helps their pets thrive? They should think back to past experiences with strangers, or times they’ve been away. Is their pet happiest in their own home? Nervous with new people? Do they get along with other animals? What unique care requirements does their pet have?
Owners can narrow Rover search results with the specific dates they will need care. Rover’s system of owner reviews can give guidance on which sitter profiles to focus on. Once they have contacted a sitter, the owner can schedule an initial meeting prior to any stay or walk. This gives them get a sense of who the sitter is, and they can watch the interactions with their pet. Does the sitter’s personality match up with their pet’s needs? Owners should ask any questions that will help them make the final decision. Everyone can also go for a walk together or enjoy playtime during the meet and greet. Owners should look for a connection that helps put their pet at ease, and a confident sitter with great communication skills.
Becoming a Sitter
After signing up, sitters will create a profile, set their rates and availability, respond to requests, and enjoy their first stays. Over time, they can raise their rates and increase their income. Sitters can choose which services they’ll offer, and customize their profiles with plenty of personal information to help owners make informed decisions. Successful sitters keep their availability up to date at all times, respond promptly to requests, and employ excellent communication skills. They demonstrate their reliability and devotion to pets with each interaction.
Whether people join Rover as a sitter or owner, they may soon find themselves on both sides of the equation. Lots of sitters are biding their time until they can adopt a dog of their own—at which point, they’ll turn to Rover for sitter support. Meanwhile, many owners find that pet sitting is a great way to socialize their pets and earn income on the side. They’ll forge lifelong connections, and give their pets one wonderful experience after another.
Randy the Greyhound grew up in the forests of Florida. He lived his life on a chain with a half barrel for shelter and scraps and water once a day. He was a sad puppy, but not for the reasons you might think. He was a sad puppy because he never had anyone to hug.
Most dogs do not like hugs. Randy, being a rather different sort of puppy, was always searching for someone to hug.
Mom and Dad were chained to other half barrels too far away to snuggle. The Man Who Brought Food never wanted hugs. When Randy was brought to the track to run, everyone just told him to run faster and to focus more. He kept his eye out for someone who might need a hug as badly as he did, but all of the dogs and all of the people were focused on the track and the stuffed bunny. Sometimes he did chase the stuffed bunny, only to ask if he wanted a hug. He never got close enough to ask.
"This one has no focus," he heard a man grumble. "Never should have been bred. The dam and sire have no focus either." Randy knew they were talking about him because they kept looking at him sideways. "Maybe they needed hugs!" Randy thought, running up to them. "No use keeping them around," another man said. They did not need hugs. Randy walked back to the track with his ears and tail low.
The next day, a tiny, fierce looking woman arrived in the forest with one of the men who had been talking about Randy. They were arguing. Just as quickly, they were shaking hands and exchanging money and signing papers.
Randy and his parents and three of the other greyhounds found themselves in the back of a dark van with the woman. Her fierceness softened, and she said, "You are safe. I am taking you home." Randy did not know what she had said, but he relaxed and curled up and slept.
When the woman opened the door several hours later, she brought Randy into a home filled with kind people. Everyone petted him gently. He had never been pet. He imagined that was what a hug felt like. Carpet! He had never seen anything like it! He asked the cat watching him from around the corner if he wanted a hug. He did not, but he said he didn't mind having Randy there. He was used to having dogs come and go. They ended up being good friends.
A few weeks later, Randy was brought to another home with a wonderful, kind woman. He somehow knew she was his person. She petted him gently and talked to him softly. Randy did not think he could be happier.
Their first outing, Randy was brought to the veterinary hospital. The vet looked him over and declared him The Finest Greyhound She Had Ever Seen. She opened her arms. He gently set his head on her shoulder and she wrapped her arm around him for a long time. He leaned in and snuggled. This! This is the only thing that could make him even happier than he was! His first real hug!
The vet looked at Randy's new human. "Dogs do not usually like hugs," she said. "Your dog is going to need all the hugs! I am quite sure he had never been treated gently before he was rescued."
So Randy's new human hugged him every day. Every time Randy came to see his veterinarian friend, she knelt in front of him and gave him a gentle hug too.
Randy had everything he had ever wanted and more.
The rescue group who had saved Randy and the others went on to save the rest of the dogs in the forest too. Other rescue groups joined them, and together they rescued all of the Greyhounds in the land, finding each one a wonderful home and helping shut down dog racing completely.
