I MISS MY MOM

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

I also had a very GOOD job in Colorado, but we did get homesick, so we moved back to Omaha. Best decision ever <3

NATURAL BALANCE LIMITED INGREDIENT TREATS

I received MORE treats to review from Chewy.com! The dogs are loving this!

These treats are Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Treats, Sweet Potato and Venison Formula. Because Joy is allergic to chicken, we need to be careful with ingredients, and these treats were perfect!

At midnight, I woke the dogs and asked, "Are you guys up for a treat review?"

They both said that they were.

Luna loves it...

Joy loves it...

I love this picture of Joy! She is never half committed to anything!

Success! 10 out of 10 - would order again!

Thank you Chewy.com! And thank you Natural Balance for creating treats both our mutts can enjoy.

DAD AND CAMILLE

Dad: Is that the clinic cat?

Me: Dad, that's a Chihuahua.

OLIVIA THE CAT REVIEWS COSEQUIN CHEWS

Recently, Olivia and her person, veterinary technician Allison Parker, helped me with this post on Cosequin Chews from Chewy.com that I received to review. I chose them especially for Olivia!

I love this picture of Olivia!

She said, "meow" and that she enjoyed them very much.

Olivia is normally on Glycoflex Chews, another treat based glucosamine source.

From Allison, "She definitely likes them, but compared to Glycoflex Chews, I would go through the bag twice as quickly!"

Cosequin Chews have 125 mg of glucosamine per two chews. Glycoflex Chews have 300 mg of glucosamine per two chews.

Overall this seems like a very good product, and Cosequin is a brand I trust completely. It is always nice to have treat options instead of pills or capsules for cats!

Olivia, you look like a natural spokes-cat!

SIBLEY GUIDE TO BIRDS

I received this beautiful bird book from Chewy.com to review.

It is The Sibley Guide to Birds, Second Edition, written and illustrated by David Allen Sibley.

The pictures in the book are beautiful. It would be easy for a novice bird watcher like me to find and identify birds in the book that I had seen in real life.

I liked it so much that we gave it to my Mom-in-law Karen for her birthday.

10 out of 10! Would order again! (and might...)

MY AUNT SENT ME A PICTURE!

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

This is a Real Life picture from my awesome Aunt Jeannine. I love her so much!!

YOU ARE A DEMON FROM HELL

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

I wish I still had this plant! It was a kind gesture after everything!

I QUIT

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

In Real Life, this is one of many situations that caused me to leave my first job.

YAY PETS!

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

I still have a sweatshirt with this dog on it :) I was very proud the exclamation mark and heart were over his thoracolumbar junction, which is where most back injuries in Dachshunds occur. This too is a true story, and the dog did great!

I AM THE VET, RECEPTIONIST AND TECH!

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

Once again I want to publicly shout how much I love my team. I still believe being the receptionist is the most difficult position on the veterinary team. I do not miss it at all! I love our receptionists!! And the whole team <3

Living in the mountains made up for a lot!

DEAR RUMPY DOG

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

The author of the wonderful blog Rumpy Dog featured me on her site, so of course Dr. Vet had to say thank you!

NIGEL BEGS

FREE VET CARE!

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

Um, this is a true story unfortunately.

I AM TRUSTED

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

I had mixed feelings about doing MORE emergency work, but decided to go with the optimistic view!

BEST ER DOC EVER

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

My boss really used this line, and it really worked on me!

THE REUNION

One of the best feelings in the world is the feeling when a newly adult dog runs across the exam room and jumps into my lap after we have not seen each other for a year.

WE LOVE YOU, OUR PETS!

I asked Facebook friends, "What do you love most about your pet?"

These are the answers I received. Add yours in the comments. I'm not crying, you're crying!

Happy Valentine's Day guys! All my love to you and your pets!

Nicole Everingham

Trisha Rae

Brooke Brady

Jacquie Ruddick-Yeoman

Brenda Bloomfield Tassava

Jaime Williams

Alicia Weiland

Laura Wahl

Laura Wahl

Liz Eckermann

Monica Massengale

Monica Massengale

Monica Massengale

Monica Massengale

Monica Massengale

Nancy Krohn

Erin Holly

Karen Finch

LaVonne Biga

Donna Kay

Leslie McGavin Clifton

Elizabeth Hickerson

Penny Bell

Rhea Lukehart, LVT

Jenny Sutherland, LVT

Jenny Sutherland

Amanda Nichols

Judy Provo-Klimek, DVM

Allison Dokter

Linnette Kramer

Sheila Schoessler

Nicole Dawson

Tammy Brady

Jana Rade

Kristin Robertus

Kristin Robertus

Dani Cusick, LVT

Laura LeVigne

Laura LeVigne

Jennifer Heisler

Krista Schwarting

Katrina Andrews

Lisa Sorensen Kuhns

Cindy Choi

Cindy Choi

Cindy Choi

Cindy Choi

Cindy Kinsler

Amy Burke, DVM

Shawna Soderman

Whitney McKee

Allison Parker, LVT

HERMAN THE SHOW GERBIL

Remember Toski the Amazing Corgi? Well before Toski's Mom and Dad had Toski, they raised show gerbils. I am not making this up. They are the most amazing creatures you will ever see!

Do you want to see Gerbil Champion Herman on a tiny agility course? Here he is!

Here is Herman staying in shape...

Here is Herman's great-granddaughter Cassie learning to show jump...

ONE YEAR AGO

SOPHIE IN THE SNOW

TWO YEARS AGO

ABBY AND ALLY ARE FRIENDS

10 TIPS TO BETTER TAKE CARE OF YOUR COMPANION ANIMALS

Originally written for ENKY...

Ten Tips to Better Take Care of Your Companion Animals

These pet care tips are meant to help new and experienced pet lovers alike!

1 – Know your pet, even before you adopt.

Learn as much as possible about the species and breed you are adopting.

How much attention do they require? How large of a habitat or how much room in the home will they need? What is their expected lifespan? Is there anything else you need to know to make their life and yours as great as possible?

The more you know from the start, the more your pet will thrive.

2 – Commit to the long run.

Will you be able to keep your pet for his or her entire lifetime? If you move, will you be able to move together? If they need more care than expected, can life be rearranged to provide that? Is the entire family on board?

Adopting a pet is a lifelong commitment. Go into the relationship ready to see it through to the last day.

3 – Prepare well.

This is a fun one! Visit a pet boutique or super store – or both! Pick up toys, bedding, dishes and treats. For a dog, pick out a collar and leash.

For a cat, pick out a litter box and litter and maybe some catnip.

4 – Feed them right.

Will you feed canned food or dry food? Homemade or commercial?

This is a step in which your veterinary team can be very helpful. Ask what foods they recommend and why. Ask what resources they recommend to learn more about different diet options.

The focuses of veterinary teams when choosing which diets to recommend are health, longevity and scientific support of a food’s nutritional value. Use their knowledge and expertise to find the food that will benefit your pet the most!

5 - Know your pet’s grooming needs.

Almost all dogs and cats need to be brushed and to have their nails trimmed.

Non-shedding dogs also need regular professional grooming.

Ask your veterinary team and friends and family which groomers they recommend.

6 – Socialize your pets well.

Dogs are most impressionable roughly between the ages of six and sixteen weeks. Even older dogs can successfully be socialized.

Do all you can to teach your new dog that people are kind – mail carriers, groomers, veterinary team members, tall people, short people, people in wheelchairs, loud people, quiet people, people of different races and ethnicities.

Introduce them to cats and other dogs.

Be safe, and let them learn new things and meet others at their own pace.

The more they experience, the more they will be prepared to handle new situations throughout their lives.

Kittens and cats can be trickier, but should still be socialized. Their most impressionable time is a little younger – roughly between the ages of three and five weeks. So by the time you adopt a kitten at eight weeks or older, their most impressionable time has passed.

However, if they have been raised by their mama or in foster care, much of that socialization has been done for you.

From here, make sure they know family members are always gentle and kind. Give the new cat several days before they meet resident pets, then slowly introduce everyone.

Get to know your individual cat. There are such a large variety of cat personalities! They all need different levels of interaction. Usually within a few weeks, you will know how social they would like to be.

Most rabbits, rodents and birds should be gently handled often. Some reptiles and amphibians do not enjoy handling at all while others can be quite social. Again, know your species and breed, and get to know your pet as an individual too.

7 – Train them well.

Training is different than socializing, though they are related.

Make sure your dogs know commands such as “sit” and “stay” and “come” and that they learn good leash manners. Most importantly, this will keep them safe. This will also enhance your relationship, as a well-behaved pet is more enjoyable to be around!

Make sure you and your family and any trainers who help train your pet use only positive reinforcement techniques – only kind, reward-based training – no yelling, no physical punishment (even water sprayers) and no shock, pinch or choke collars.

Frank and Dr. Belfiore

8 – Provide your pet with excellent preventative veterinary care.

If you have pets already or have had pets in the past, you probably already have an excellent veterinary team. If you need to find a vet, ask friends and family whom they trust with their pets.

At your first visit, your veterinarian can tell you what your pet will need in the way of examinations, vaccinations, testing and treatment.

Travis, Tidus and me

9 – Be ready for non-routine veterinary care.

No matter how protective and proactive you are, accidents and sicknesses will occur. Have your veterinarian’s phone number available. Know whom to call after hours. Have a plan, including an emergency fund if possible, ready in case of an emergency.

10 – Enjoy their company.

Whether you have painstakingly researched and chosen the best pet for your family, or rescued a pet with a cute face on a whim, you have learned all you possibly can about their species, their breed, and their individual self.

You have them on a diet that will enhance their life for years to come.

You are actively socializing and training them.

You have found a dream veterinary team and excellent groomer.

Now…enjoy your pet!

Take pictures.

Give lots of treats.

Teach fun tricks like “shake” and “high-five.”

Sit and read together.

Explore your city together on a path you would not have taken alone.

Learn to relax as well as your cat.

Learn to play with abandon like your puppy.

Commit yourself to an exercise program as vigorous as that of your hamster on his wheel.

Above all, enjoy your pet and the unique relationship you share.

ONE YEAR AGO

MY RAT WUZZY, PART 1

TWO YEARS AGO

SOMETIMES MY FRIENDS SPEND TIME WITH ME BECAUSE IT IS REQUIRED BY THEIR JOB DESCRIPTION

THE TENNIS BALLS

Racquet Corner is a tennis shop right next door to Gentle Doctor at 120th and Blondo.

One day, one of the owners of Racquet Corner came over with a bag of tennis balls. "Would any of the dogs like these?" he asked.

Our eyes lit up as if we were the dogs receiving such a gift, and together we said, "Yes! Thank you!"

Now the couple who owns Racquet Corner bring once-used tennis balls for all the dogs. Any dog who wants one (or two) can have them. We have not run out in months.

It has changed so many dogs' experiences from a little bit scary to very fun.

The tiny Italian Greyhound chased his ball around the exam room for a while. If it stopped bouncing against the walls, he would hit it with his paw so it would start again and then tear after it, never himself hitting a wall. We all gathered to watch him. He didn't notice. He was having so much fun!

We gave a ball to a Boxer who did not want a treat. He looked like the proudest dog in the world carrying his ball in his mouth out to the car.

"You were very brave. Would you like a ball?" we said to the nervous Golden who had been such a good sport about all of the medical care. She jumped up, laughed with her eyes as Goldens will do and grabbed the ball. For the first time we had seen over her years as our patient, her tail started wagging furiously.

Nigel and Abe play with tennis balls while they are there with their Moms for the day.

Groomer Amy's Nigel showing off his tennis ball

They keep them safe in different corners of the office and treatment room.

Nigel asks, "Excuse me Kelly, have you seen my tennis ball?"

I used Nigel and Abe's tennis balls to show Kelly and Jen how I can juggle (5 seconds! Woo!)

You may have thought you were just dropping off tennis balls, but you have changed the atmosphere of the office from awesome to super awesome. We love seeing our patients so happy. Thank you Racquet Corner!