I was in the grocery store yesterday, and like I always do, sort of did a double take at what some of the brands are charging for their food. Clients come in every day and say that they are feeding their dogs high quality, all natural food- a common example would be something like Beneful- believing it is top quality food simply based on the marketing. But when they go back and read the label, they are inevitably surprised. "I can't afford the really expensive food," is something I hear ... Read more »
Archives for 2010
Brief Brodies Update
I closed nominations, and I'm working on getting everything categorized now. When I'm done, I'm going to assemble a top-notch panel of experts (read: suckers willing to volunteer) to help me narrow the nominees down to finalists in each category. Then once I figure out the appropriate Wordpress plugin everyone gets to vote. I have no prizes other than bragging rights, but I will say you guys nominated some fantastic blogs I've never seen before, which is reward enough for me. :) ... Read more »
Call of the Day: We’ll get right on that Edition
This call takes place about 5 minutes after I leave: Staff: Hello, how may I help you? Client: I need to talk to the doctor right now. Staff: She's left for the day, how can I help you? Client: Can I have her cell phone number? Staff: I'm afraid not, is there something I can help you with? Client: She gave my dog some medicine two weeks ago and it's not working. The dog is still itchy. (Staff looks up the client: This person had come in one month ago, using a "free wellness ... Read more »
It’s complicated
I haven't even made it all of the way through the book yet, but I'm riveted by Atul Gawande's Complications: A Surgeon's Note on an Imperfect Science. Though the author is a human physician, I think anyone here in the veterinary field would find much in the book that would have you nodding as I was, so engrossed during my after-work pedicure splurge that I failed to notice the tech painting my toenails a distinct fluorescent orange instead of the demure pink I had put aside. It was worth ... Read more »
Not quite the response I was hoping for
I have a little story I like to tell to people who are reluctant to get their dogs spayed. The story varies from person to person, depending on what I think will have the most impact. Sometimes it's the cautionary tale of Sue, the boxer who accidentally got pregnant by her brother, had two puppies die in utero, needed an emergency c-section, then finished the month out with eclampsia. Other times it's Myrtle, the dachshund with a life-threatening pyometra that required a $3000 emergency surgery. ... Read more »
Good thing they didn’t name her “Yellow Belly”
Did you all hear about this hero dog Angel? An 18 month old Golden Retriever saved her 11 year old little boy buddy from a cougar in their backyard. No, not a Courteney Cox kind of cougar, a real, live, scary growly wildcat. Just look at that sad, yet strangely happy face. I dare you not to say "Awwww!" She's saying, "Yep, I sure did show that silly old cat, didn't I? Golly!" Left side: mauled. Right side: could care less. I'm not saying Goldens are always the brightest bulb in the ... Read more »
Nominations are OPEN!
Since the Weblog Awards went kaplooey for the year, I decided to make up my own awards specific for that underrepresented segment of the blogging world, the pet lovers. So far I have, like, 5 participants so hopefully I can drum up enough nominees to actually make something fun here and spread the word about some of the fantastic pet blogs out there on the net! These are the categories I have so far: 1. Best Dog Blog -For best blog about our canine pals. 2. Best Cat Blog -For best ... Read more »
Some things never change…
A new year. A new decade. Same old tricks. When the future looms unpredictable and uncertain, there is much comfort to be garnered from our old favorite routines. Happy New Year- may it bring more of that you love and none of that you are happy to leave behind. ... Read more »