Conversations rising from a lifetime trekking the ever-changing world of veterinary medicine
One day, back in the mid-seventies, I was bit by a rabid cat. When I got to work that morning, my boss happened to be on the phone. So, I went to the back to see if anything had come in overnight. In the middle cage, in a room little bigger than a closet, was …
Horse trainers today are kind of different than the ones I knew many years ago. It’s good that we know more now than we did back then about moving in harmony with a horse. As a new veterinary technician/nurse working in mixed animal practices, I got to know quite a few trainers – mostly men. …
In those days we were a bit asymmetrical. And, we wore our no commitment, free love on the outside. A messy eclectic sense of identity, I loved to shop the thrift stores for lovely old rayon dresses, the kind that old ladies wore. But sometimes I couldn’t remember not to throw them in the washer …
These nights have been really warm. We’ve had long stretches of hot days and warm nights. The summer-like heat kicked in overnight. And, like the horses, it caught me off guard. I hadn’t quite shed my winter coat either. I was still in long underwear season. And, never mind our lilacs. Poor things, got froze …
Age. I swear it happens when you’re not looking. I mean, I just turned my back for one second and it moved in with all its crap in tow. Through the side door he came with a backpack full of one excuse after another. Like a cheating lover after a night of clubbing, he drags …
This morning after chores I stood and watched Sun try hard to shine its brightest as it was rising. But clouds coming in from the southwest had other ideas. Brilliant rays burst up and shot to the top of the clouds. But, to no avail. Try as it might, the clouds slowly moved in and …
“An anniversary is the date on which an event took place or an institution was founded in a previous year, and may also refer to the commemoration or celebration of that event.” Anniversaries are remembered for all sorts of reasons. And, something I find at this age is that I have quite a collection of …
She had a male black cat and a female black lab. I loved her right away because she reminded me of the mom of a kid I grew up with. Did you ever do that? Have a connection right away with someone because somehow the other person reminds you of someone you knew back home. …
It didn’t happen all the time. But it showed up enough. As time went on I started to notice a pattern. Pounding shifts night after night that never seemed to end would bring it on. A particular case in the ICU that went days into weeks could be bruising. Or an all-consuming ventilator case with …
My father really wanted me to be a lawyer. Actually, he wanted me to be a lawyer and a politician. It had been something he dreamt for himself. But the 1940’s and 50’s were a time of working hard for his family. He was lucky to graduate high school. Then, it was on to the …