I cannot imagine being anything other than a veterinary oncologist. But I did not always know this was what I wanted to be when I grew up. And I failed miserably a few times getting here. I did always want to be a veterinarian. My parents like to remind me of the picture I drew… Read More
Can You Feel Thankful for Failure?
When a Veterinary Client Goes a Tick Too Far in The Exam Room…
Clients rely on veterinarians and vet techs to teach them how to care for their pets. One day, @KatieJohn173 discovered that some pet owners might need slightly more personal advice. A client asked me to show her how to remove a tick. via GIPHY I went to grab the tick twister and show her. via GIPHY (W)hen I… Read More
The Ugly Truth About Animal Shelters
An article caught my eye the other day. It told the story of a vet, Jian Zhicheng, who worked at an animal shelter in Taiwan. She had euthanized 700 animals in two years – many of whom were healthy and perfectly adoptable. The fact was there was no space to keep them and no one to… Read More
The Words I Can’t Take Back
“Sometimes I really hate you!” I said to the writhing Dachshund in my arms. He didn’t care. He kept wiggling madly as is his habit when I catch him trying to take off from the yard. Because of his cognitive dysfunction, he sometimes refuses to pee outside. He gets all jittery, tries to run past… Read More
Can You Have a Secret Language with Your Cat?
It’s OK to admit that you think it’d be cool if your pet could talk. With cats, meowing can almost be like a secret language. In this episode of Cone of Shame, Dr. Andy Roark explains how. Cats mostly meow for our benefit. via GIPHY Meows aren’t like barks. via GIPHY Your aunt really may be able… Read More
How I Got Past Being a Terrible Person
I have been lucky enough to have survived this field for 14 years. Not only have I survived it, I have been able to keep my passion alive. I wake up every morning knowing I am doing what I love. It wasn’t always this way. There have been several points in my career that I… Read More