My furry Valentine
I WASN’T sure if I was going to tell you this. For a couple of weeks, I’ve been mulling it over, considering the embarrassment and whether I should go public with it.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Guide to Professional Conduct was consulted in my quest for the right answer. Would it be disgraceful conduct to admit the truth? Would disciplinary action be taken if I revealed all? Was my career on the line? Should I come clean?
Well I will. I’m nearly overwhelmed to inform you that this year, on February 14, for the first time in decades, I received a Valentine’s Card.
Since the envelope was a bit of a clue, I opened it with trembling fingers and a pounding heart.
It said, quite simply and anonymously, “My Dog Loves You.”
“My Dog Loves You.” I thought about the message and smiled. When I first qualified, small animals were relatively superfluous to requirements in a veterinary profession that was mainly focused on large farm animals.
Now many vets treat nothing but our small furry friends. Back then, hands that were practised in calving cows and lopping the horns off bulls generally grabbed puppies by the back of the neck to jab them. To be fair, they were accustomed to farm collies trying to bite them but many dogs and cats were scruffed unnecessarily, ■ Scottish Utility Breeds Club Open show in Bo’ness Schedules: Mrs J Gregory, 187 Broad Street, Cowdenbeath, Fife KY4 8LQ. Tel: 01383 514 633. Entries close: March 12. Labrador Club of Scotland’s Championship Show in Lanark. Secretary Mrs Pollok. Tel: 01560 484 257 for creating animosity where there was no need for it.
The tough training tactics of Barbara Woodhouse have been replaced by the understanding that most animals will respond positively to confident handling.
Getting patients on your side makes life easier and safer for everyone. The nature of the job, the characteristics of some animals and the type of procedures we carry out make it inevitable that not every patient is going to be your biggest fan but you can at least try to provide comfort and compassion. Owners get to know you are doing that and a relaxed owner makes for a calmer patient.
So, to whoever sent the card, can I just say I love him or her too and you made me very happy?
Don’t all laugh at once… further details. Entries close today. April 6 ■ Poodle Club of Scotland’s Championship Show in Carluke. Secretary: Miss F Swan, 29 Glen Nevis Drive, Dunfermline KY11 4QT. Tel: 97521 765 365. Entries close: March 15/online.