1. Are you really a veterinarian?
Yes. This is why I won’t give you advice over the net, because I know better.
2. Where did you go to school?
University of California, Davis. I’d brag about that but I leave that to the people at that OTHER vet school. You know the one. You can tell a Davis grad by asking them this question: What did you do at the Smoker? If they stammer and refuse to answer, they are an Aggie.
3. Are you available to write for our site, speak at our conference or do other media work?
I do freelance writing and contribute to local and national media as a health and lifestyle expert. I am also available for speaking engagements. You can contact me for my rates for any of the above.
4. Can you answer a few questions about my cow and lizard?
No. The day I passed the board exams was the last time I knew anything about cows. I never knew anything about lizards, even during the boards.
5. OK then, how about a question about my dog? I’ll be quick.
Let me be unfortunately and under orders from a qualified lawyer clear: I cannot diagnose, prescribe, or make treatment recommendations for your pet. It’s almost impossible to do accurately over the net anyway, and even if it weren’t, I legally can’t. That requires a Veterinarian-Client-Patient-Relationship. You and I have a Casual-Internet-Acquaintance.
Questions about your pet’s health condition will always be answered the same way: do what your veterinarian says.
On that note, while I talk about certain medical conditions from time to time, allow me to write in small print my medical disclaimer:
The information contained here is intended solely for the general information of the reader. It is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of professional medical care. The information contained herein is neither intended to dictate what constitutes reasonable, appropriate or best care for any given health issue, nor is it intended to be used as a substitute for the independent judgment of a veterinarian for any given health issue.
In other words, if you have a question about your dog, you should see your awesome local vet and not take my word for anything, even given my answer to question 1.
If you have questions about a general health condition, some of my favorite online sites for accurate and helpful information are: Veterinary Partner, PetMD, Vetstreet, and About.com’s Veterinary Medicine site.
6. I want to be a vet. How do you do it? Where do you go? How long does it take? How many hours do you need to volunteer? Which are the best schools, in what order are they ranked, and what is the approximate cost of education and number of applications per seat for each?
Darned if I remember. But check it out! There is a ton of awesome information here at I Want to Be a Veterinarian, including a loan repayment calculator. Loans: the gift that keep on giving. Remember that.
7. Are you a shill?
It’s a sad and lonely place on the pyre, but it’s a cross I’m willing to bear. TLDR: no, but don’t let that stop you from saying it anyway if it helps you maintain your worldview.
8. Can I write a guest post for you? Or get you to share my app, or Kickstarter, or photo contest?
Pawcurious is not accepting guest posts/sponsored posts/paid whatevers at this time. If you send me an idea for a Kickstarter I reserve the right to share it with whatever I think of it, which might not be good.
9. Can I reprint your posts on my site?
Everything I write is protected under US Copyright Law. If you would like to share something I have written, law allows you to share part of the post under Fair Use law. What does this mean?
- You may post part of a post- a “snippet”. Not most/all of it.
- You must credit and link back to the original piece.
- If you would like permission to repost a piece, please contact me using the contact form with the specific post you would like to reuse. Generally license to repost is associated with a fee.
- I don’t care about exposure.
10. What’s your comment policy? Can I say whatever I want and assume you believe in the First Amendment so I should feel free to rant and shout?
Think of my site as a little extension of my living room, at a dinner party with friends. Everyone here enjoys each other’s company and we have great discussions. If you show up yelling and start throwing tomatoes around like a toddler with diaper rash, I reserve the ability to remove you without comment. It’s not a town hall meeting, it’s a website.
10. No questions, just wanted to tell you being a veterinarian is stupid and this site is stupid and pets are lame and you must hate people the way I hate you.
OK. Glad you got that out of your system.
