JACY'S CANCER SCARE

Guest post from Russ's Mom, Karen Finch <3

Jacy

Jacy, our Lhaso Apso, was eleven years old when she developed a big, raw, open bleeding sore on her back hip. 

It is very handy having a vet in the family who is also very attached to family pets. 

She let us treat it as an infection for a little bit, but after a week or so said she probably needed surgery. I dropped her off at the clinic and refused to think about what Dr. Finch was not saying. 

When I went to get her after surgery, I had to cry. She had staples all the way down her leg, and it made me sad. Shawn said there was more to it than she had thought. But still no C word, or maybe there was and my ears wouldn't accept it. 

Karen and Phill with Lucy and Jacy - Photo by Liz

A few days later my phone rang and Dr. Finch responded with a choked up voice that the labs showed lymphoma. She said six to ten months was the prognosis. We discussed steroids or chemo, but she was eleven and still loved life as it was and didn't know what we knew, so we decided to just enjoy her while we could. I lit up Facebook and all my friends to pray!!!!  Jacy healed fast, and went on with her life. 

Jacy and Lucy

Well, thanks to a wonderful, super special surgeon, vet, daughter in law,  it will be three years in May when all this happened. She is now fourteen and has enjoyed her life to the fullest. Slowing down a little, but not much, eyes are dimming, and maybe a little dementia, but no cancer!!!!!!

34 months and counting!

So, Dr. Finch, Shawn, don't dwell on the sad things because there are way more happy stories over the years. Even Wuzzy lived way past the ratties' life span!!!!  We love you so much!!!!!!

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Post from one year ago today...

March 6, 2016

THAT'S A BIG BUT

THIS QUILT

When I was pregnant with our first daughter Amanda, one of my favorite clients, Mrs. Cranfield, made me this quilt. I love it so much. As I was struggling with the ideas of being a Mom and a vet and going from being a couple to a family and far, far from our own families, it was a sweet sign of love and comfort. It still brings back all those feelings and I will always be grateful.

I did as I was told by Mrs. Cranfield and used the quilt for our girls. She did not want it hung up or folded carefully and never used. Amanda and Abby played on it and wrapped their stuffed animals in it and now use it as a blanket.

Thank you Mrs. Cranfield. That was so very thoughtful of you. I loved your Shepherds, and I hope you still are surrounded by beautiful dogs and are doing well.

The heart says "Rockabye Baby" with love, The Cranfield Family 2000

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Post from one year ago today...

March 5, 2016

WHERE DO BABY LIONS COME FROM?

ABBY'S MARSHMALLOWS

Abby walked into the kitchen the other night and said to Russ, "Do you have any wire I can bend into glasses to put on a marshmallow?" 

Then this happened...

This is a marshmallow representation of Dwight Schrute of the show The Office made for and in honor of Abby's friend who has been watching reruns of The Office and was sad Michael was leaving the show.

Abby told her friend that if she persisted and watched the show past that sad part, she would make her a Marshmallow Dwight. And she did.

I can't make this stuff up.

But Abby can.

It is one of the infinite things I love about her.

Here is another marshmallow Abby made for the same friend for her birthday. Joy is a little sad she had to share her pillows.

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Post from one year ago today...

March 4, 2016

HUSKY. PUG. PUG. HUSKY.

YESTERDAY AND TODAY

The only thing I regret about the syringe post is that I did not consider if it would hurt Pete's feelings.

I perhaps should have been fired for posting about an internal issue at a business where I am employed, but I was not, and for that I am grateful.

I am not convinced it is not at least in part because there was a giant dog waiting on the other side of the office door yesterday morning to meet me, and if I did not spay her, someone would need to!

But we do make a great team, and neither of us is willing to give up on that dynamic or potential, and I appreciate that too.

I have been challenged to consider other single use products and their place in medicine, and I think that will be the subject of my next Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery article or review, because there is a lot of fascinating information out there.

Today I have been coloring. A lot. And spending time with the dogs and kids.

Abby walked into the kitchen this evening and said to Russ, "Do you have any wire I can bend into glasses to put on a marshmallow?" But she said I had to wait until at least tomorrow to post more about that!

Back to work tomorrow (phew). A couple of very challenging cases to start the day and more than a couple cute dogs I am sure.

I said I would keep you updated, and so there is that. Thank you all for reading my stuff and joining the conversation. I really appreciate it.

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Post from one year ago today...

March 3, 2016

OSTRICH TRAINING

THE SYRINGE BATTLE

Today I was told that my throwing away used syringes could be construed as bullying because the team is told to keep syringes and to clean and sterilize them for reuse and I am doing and advocating the opposite.

Of the years of civil arguing back and forth and bringing it up every once in a while to discuss again and researching and cost analysis and meetings...this is the day that got me.

I am a lot of things...stubborn, hard-headed :) ...but I am not a bully, and I work actively against bullying on a few fronts, so that remark hit right where it was intended.

For the sake of the pets and their people and the team and my own sanity and...not to overstate...the veterinary oath and my own veterinary license, I will continue to not reuse syringes meant to be used one time and discarded. 

Further updates hopefully soon. Please comment here (as you or anonymously) or on Facebook with your thoughts.

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Post from one year ago today...

February 28, 2016

THERE ARE NO ALLERGIES IN WRITING

Bonus Leap Year Post from One Year Ago!

February 29, 2016

A DOG NAMED DOC

BORN UNDER THE GAS PEDAL OF A JUNK CAMARO

My friend Dan was not a cat person. In fact, I don't think he ever had any pets growing up. I couldn't picture him having a cat, or knowing what to do with one. Until General.

Not General, but he looked like this.

Dan was looking for Camaro parts at the junkyard and found a very tiny abandoned kitten stuck under the pedals of an old junk car. This was a very long time ago, so I do not have pictures of the exact car or cat. 

The car that General was born in looked something like this.

Dan took this little kitten home and named him after General Motors. General hid under the dryer for the first month, reluctantly coming out for food and learning to trust Dan. After that, they were inseparable best friends.

Also not General, but he looked this gorgeous. Not bad for a junkyard cat.

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Post from one year ago today...

February 27, 2016

MEASURES OF A GOOD DAY

ZOO IN A BLIZZARD

Friday was a snow day.

We decided to go to the Zoo. It was one of our favorite zoo trips.

I left the pictures in full color because of the red flower and blue frog and Macaws and peacock.

Pink Fairy Duster - In the Desert Dome

Tawny Frogmouths

These birds are so unique looking! I stared at them a while and then had to go back to watch them some more. I tried not to be rude, but it seems that in general, birds do not mind being stared at as much as dogs and cats do.

Roadrunner

This roadrunner showed us the stick he had found, then put it down to pick up a piece of grass. He pranced the grass blade back and forth in front of us, then set that down too. I love his personality!

Baby Map Turtle!

Courtyard Outside the Jungle

Blue Dart Frog

Macaws

In the Aquarium

Sometimes we don't even go into the Aquarium because it tends to be pretty crowded. This day was perfect! Maybe a half dozen other people besides the Zoo Team were in the entire Aquarium during the time we were there.

Penguins! This picture is for Dave Nelson and Evan Choi :)

Our favorite part of the Aquarium, the tunnel, had no other people in it. We have never gotten to go through it alone! We stayed to make friends with the turtles and rays.

This. This is what got us to the Zoo on such a snowy morning. How precious is he?? Mama was not too impressed with us being close, so we only stayed to take a couple pictures and congratulate her <3

This was a very fun day! Next time, we should go together!

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Post from one year ago today...

February 26, 2016

AN AMAZING PRACTICE TIP, PART 2 OF 2

ROAD TRIP!

On Friday February 17, 2017 I got home from work and sat in the car to hear the end of a song on the Alexander Hamilton soundtrack. Normally, I come right inside when I get home. Joy and Luna were having none of my stalling.

Joy opened the glass front door and ran to the car followed closely by Luna. I opened the door to explain I was listening to a song and would be right in, but instead of being reasonable dogs, they jumped into the car for a road trip.

Russ came outside to say I did not need to take them on a road trip just because they got into the car. When I said I didn't think it would be kind to dash their hopes especially when they were already in the car and ready to go, Russ got into the car too followed by Amanda and Abby who had come outside to see what was going on.

We drove around the block much to the delight of both dogs. Since we were out, we stopped to get gas and tacos.

At Abelardo's , Russ told the team we were impressed they had closed for A Day Without Immigrants the day before and that we were really happy they are a part of the Omaha community. Also he said thank you for the tacos and churros. He is my favorite guy.

We headed home for dinner. It had been a very fun road trip for all.

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Post from one year ago today...

February 19, 2016

ON MEETING STEPHEN BALDWIN

TOSKI MAILS VALENTINES

Happy Valentine's Month from Toski!

via YouTube Capture

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Post from one year ago today...

February 18, 2016

I KNOW YOU ARE IN THERE!

OLIVIA THE TORTOISE WISHES YOU A HAPPY VALENTINE'S MONTH

Remember Olivia who visited Santa?

I will pass on as many pictures as Stephanie sends of her - I think she is awesome!

Olivia hopes you had a happy Valentine's Day.

From Stephanie...

"A little bit about Olivia.....she is a two year old red footed tortoise.

Her favorite foods are kale, peas and bananas. She also loves cat food!! When she gets to crawl in the house, she heads straight for the kitchen looking for cat food. If we don't put it up, she will crawl into the dish. 

She loves being outside when its warm out.

I'm sure she thinks I'm crazy when I make her dress up and take pics. Funny thing is she knows to stay still for at least a few minutes so I can get the pic and then she is over it."

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Post from one year ago today...

February 17, 2016

THE MANY EXPRESSIONS OF ARTEMIS SCAMARDO

Pepper Visits the Job-site

Guest Post - Russ

Jeff and I were finishing up a large custom deck in Bay Hills near Plattsmouth. While
I was cleaning up the scraps, I was greeted by this visitor.

He thought it was super fun to fetch the scrap pieces from the trash pile and bring them back to me. Also to run up and down the stairs we built for him and to jump on us.

We held him still to look for a tag and get a picture. Then Mom came in her minivan and said "Pepper, time to go home!"  He was a little sad. We thought he had very cool coloring and neat eyes!

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Post from one year ago today...

February 16, 2016

PURPLE

ANOTHER EARRING AND A NOSE RING

Another earring and a nose ring. No, not for me! I am at my work handbook-approved maximum. And I am a chicken.

My daughters are brave. Also, Abby kept her room clean for thirty days and was allowed to have her nose pierced as agreed.

Amanda...doesn't tend to absentmindedly throw papers over her shoulder. Much to Abby's dismay, Amanda got day one approval on her requested earring.

When Abby finished her clean room chart (YES they work even better for teenagers than little kids!) and Amanda had summoned all the courage she required, we headed to Authentic Ink Tattoo and Body Piercing with ID's and birth certificates.

The front desk person was very kind. She made Amanda less nervous.

Colin Nichols gave the girls the new holes in their heads. He could see Amanda was getting nervous again after Abby had her nose pierced and had Amanda in the chair and her ear pierced before she could really panic. Thank you Colin!

The little loop in the top of Amanda's ear is the new one.

A trick I learned with recent dental work - if you have a Tsum in your pocket, things are less scary.

They are some days out and very happy with their decisions!

Thank you Authentic Ink team. I know kids are not your normal client demographic, and you were super patient and kind to them. They love their new piercings!

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Post from one year ago today...

February 15, 2016

HELPING