We're all a little on edge these days, with all the mayhem, destruction and parvo we've been seeing lately. So much so that when any puppy with a peep of diarrhea comes in, my techs have taken to whisking it into the back, shouting "POSSIBLE PARVO! OUTTA MY WAY!!" as they rush by with a little furry ball into the isolation ward. I don't blame them. It's been a long couple of weeks. So when I saw a little furball go whizzing by this morning, I sighed inwardly. I asked the tech to get a parvo ... Read more »
Product Review: Kyjen toys
When I was given the opportunity to review a selection of dog toys from the Kyjen company, Brody shot me a look that said, "You'd better take this one, lady." Not that he isn't as spoiled as they come anyway, but I'll admit the majority of his playthings are the usual easily destroyed types that I get at the store. I was already interested after so many of you raved about the line when I was looking for suggestions for the Holiday Guide, so this was a no-brainer. They sent a large assortment ... Read more »
Fun with Math: The Nutrition Game
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 »
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 »
Dear Jon
Every December, people start making lists. Best of, worst of, most memorable- everyone loves to make little lists that organize the year's events and data into a nice bite sized chunk. Last week, I stumbled upon CNN's 50 Best Jobs of 2009. I'm not sure what complicated algorithm they used to come up with this list, but I looked out of curiosity and sure enough, there was veterinarian, smack dab in the middle at Number 25. It's above corporate paralegal, but below CPA. Sounds about right. My ... Read more »
May your days be merry and bright…
The parvo puppy is still hanging in. Every day he survives is a victory, and I'm allowing myself to feel optimistic for the first time since he was admitted. On the second day he was hospitalized, he was struggling. The plasma transfusion we performed had been minimally helpful. So once again, I pulled a Hail Mary and called in the quarterback. He's so big now, and the wee pup so small, I barely needed anything to get enough for a blood transfusion. Fresh whole blood has some majorly nice ... Read more »
On the twelfth day…
Lisa asked to have the 12th day- and when I saw her contribution I was so glad she did. Thank you, and I hope this first Christmas without Bailey is gentle on you. On the twelfth day of Petmas, my puppy gave to me: 12 Years of True Love [flagallery gid=3 name="Gallery"] and, because I couldn't resist: ... Read more »
This page is looking lonely and sad
The videocasts were shot a year ago and I'm wondering if they ever will see the light of day. There was some good stuff in there. If they ever get finished, I'll be sure to put them up. In the meantime, stay tuned for BRODY CAM, which should be launched in early to mid 2010, and Podcurious- the new pawcurious podcasts, coming as soon as I figure out something to talk about. :) ... Read more »
11 pipers piping
On the 11th day of Petmas, my puppy gave to me: 11 pipes so scary... ...wait, Finnegan says those are really scary and asks is there any way we can try something different..... ahem. On the 11th day of Petmas, my puppy gave to me: 11 pipes of pup-pops! (much better) Thank you Susan and Finnegan!! ... Read more »
If willpower was enough, this dog would already be at home
The days leading up to Christmas, as I have mentioned many times before, are always hard for me work-wise. This year is no exception. It was exactly one year ago that I had the most difficult euthanasia I've ever had to do. It's a long story, one that combines my sadness over Mulan's proximity to her own passing, an elderly woman losing her only friend, and a family whose lack of compassion left me stunned and nearly incoherent. As we speak, a 10 week old puppy lies alone in a cage at ... Read more »
10 Lords a Leaping
On the tenth day of Petmas my puppy gave to me: 10 Ducks for Squeakin' The lovely Morgan was an amazing sport. For a little more about the picture, here's the original, and for more art inspired by Morgan, check out her mom's etsy site. :) ... Read more »
Nine Ladies Dancing
On the ninth day of Petmas, my puppy gave to me: Nine Starlets Dancing Today's delightful picture comes courtesy of Annette from Biscuits By Lambchop, and of course Starlet! Almost done! I'll be sad when this ends- it's been a blast! ... Read more »
