NKUT

In the age of the "Doodle" I find myself wondering, on a very regularly basis (hourly), why people choose to over produce (breed) dogs and cats.

Spoiler alert: your highly priced doodle is actually a mutt.
And don't get me wrong, I love a good mixed breed dog, I also love many purebreed dogs.
But why this fascination with owning a purebred animal.  Why is that Goldendoodle worth so much money and value to folks?
Perhaps I am jaded, but then again I deal with a lot of shelter stricken animals.  And some of these ARE those "Doodles" and "Puggles" you just had to have.  I don't know each and every one of their backgrounds, but I know it started with someone purchasing them, thereby feeding into the supply and demand; then for whatever reason, they end up in the hands of a shelter.  And if they are lucky, it is an amazing shelter, like one of those involved with the No Kill Utah Coalition.

I am pleased to say there are many places working towards a no-kill shelter environment, but we still have a long way to go.  And that's just the tip of the iceberg really.  Some animals sit in shelters for years, with no way of understanding why their life involves only a dog-run, food, water, and walks.  It likely is better than a lot of alternatives, but we have evolved side-by-side with our canine companions so that they often thrive off of living in a home with their person or family.  Cats too.  Although our feline friends are a bit more finicky and prefer their oh-so important alone time, they also would prefer to be in an environment with someone to love and care for them.  There are outliers of course.  The semi-feral cat that is happiest with living and hunting mice in a barn.  The skittish dog that maybe doesn't want a big family to dote on him, rather a single human companion. 

The bottom line is this: too many folks are contributing to our overpopulation of dogs and cats in shelters across America; whether it is by accident or for profit, it is a serious problem that has no other solution at this time; we need to eliminate our excessive breeding and increase spaying and neutering of dogs and cats (until science comes up with a better solution).  Although the number of shelter animals euthanized (killed) each year has reduced, it is still far too high.  Any number above zero is too high quite frankly.

For some more information on NKUT, go ahead and click the link!  There are so many amazing dogs and cats in shelters, just wondering why they've ended up there, and hoping that you'll give them a look (instead of that overly priced mutt you were thinking about). 
And let's not even bring up the "Munchkin" cats.

Hello from the other side.

One might say I took a break from this blog.  Maybe it was the whole moving to a new country thing?  Or perhaps it had to do with immersing myself into the manic world of studying, stressing, and more studying (otherwise known as veterinary school).  Regardless, here we are, SEVEN years later. It's as if we all blinked and I moved to Scotland, left my family, friends and dog behind, and then moved back; oh and then moved to Utah.

I have recently decided to jump back into my blog for two very legitimate reasons:
1. I recently saw the wonderfully awful film, Jurassic World, which showcased a "Paleo Vet" (read Dinosaur Vet).  My inner child rejoiced, and then I remembered, wait, didn't I  make a blog that one time where I called myself a Dinosaur Vet?  Yes, yes I did and I am still dreaming of the day that I too may share the role of Paleo Vet.  My criticism of the medical accuracy in Jurassic World will be saved for another time.
2. I recently took a step in my career that led me to leave one veterinary family and enter another.  The clinics could not be more different, and yet the principals and love for animals are the same.  This transition has allowed me to reflect on my career choice, and myself as a veterinarian.  Long gone are the days of Mr. Herriot (a tip of the hat to you sir).  We live in a world where veterinary medicine is on the close heals of human medicine with regards to our diagnostics and treatments for the plethora of conditions we see.  I had a client today who was shocked to learn that I was not only his dog's primary physician, but also I could be its surgeon, cardiologist and anesthesiologist all at once. I realized then and there I needed a space to share my stories, vent my woes, and merely ramble about the day-to-day life of a veterinarian.  Because, no we are not the money-hungry doctors of your dogs and cats, rather the individuals who are up late at night, stressing, wondering, brainstorming what to do with your beloved fur-baby.

I want the pet owners of the world to understand what it is we go through on a daily basis, all the highs and lows.  I want fellow veterinarians to know, they too are not alone when worrying if they made the right calls. I want awareness for compassion fatigue.  And I want all owners to know that we love your pet, just as much as you do.  Even if it empties its anal glands all over our scrubs at 8 a.m. on a Monday morning.

So stay tuned, I plan on posting again, in less than seven years.

Well this is embarrassing...

It's been, oh... about a month since I have been in Scotland, and this is my first blog post upon arriving.
That just goes to show, vet school is as time consuming and crazy as they all say it is!
Chris and I arrived safely here in the land o' the Scots on August 6th, 2011 and hit the ground running.  Day one involved checking into our lovely dorm rooms, and setting up a bank account.  We went out that evening for a beer with a few of our new classmates and naturally it was pouring rain.  Good thing I came prepared (shout out to my lovely mother for keeping me well equipped for Scottish weather).

Everything in between that night this current Saturday evening has been a complete blur.
Allow me to summarize:
Learning the entire anatomy of the dog, inside and out. Learning about limbs and random other unique body parts in larger animals like horses and cows (a lot of stuff is the same internally, 1 point evolution). Learning how to handle the following: cows, horses, sheep, and pigs (not a fan of pig farms, but now planning on owning sheep in the near future). Learning a few random things like statistics, histology, embryology and some stuff about stem cells and the lymphatic system. 
Did I mention I have not even been here a month?

It is amazing and hard and I cannot say I am loving every minute of it, because that would be a lie.  It is extremely hard work, but I know the end result will be epic. Already looking to make some connections in the world of shelter medicine, but still contemplating doing equine work.  Plenty of time to decide.

In other news, an apartment was found! It is very cozy and European.  Pictures to follow.
Now back to "studying" and I hope I have alleviated some worry that perhaps I was dead.  To all my fans, I apologise. 

If there ever was a sign...

So last night, being my last night here at home, I was cuddling with my neurotic pup and silently sobbing.  A few minutes into the moment, my mom calls me from downstairs screaming to come down.  I quickly splashed water on my face and ran downstairs to see what the commotion was about.
Turns out, my brother was about to leave and saw this creature running around the front yard.  "A PUPPY IS LOOSE!" He was screaming.  He managed to trap it in his car, but then, being the bright boy he is, opened the door for me to go get it but I was about 20 feet from the car.  The large pup jumps out and starts sprinting around again.  It is a dark chocolate dog, and it is dark outside, so I immediately panic.  Grabbed some treats and a leash, and the cute little gal just trotted right up to me.
Once secured, I brought "Coco Puff" inside to hang out with Oz man as we figured out what to do with her.  She was not a puppy, but certainly just over a year old pointer breed of some sort, so full of energy.  I let her loose in the house as I brainstormed what to do.  Happy with her new freedom, she started racing around the house as Ozzie tore off after her.  A series of spin moves and rolls, she was a bundle of energy. Oz took an extreme liking and they instantly became best friends.
I decided to notify the police as "Coco Puff" gobbled down Ozzie's dinner (untouched by him of course) and it turns out someone had reported a missing dog not more than 15 minutes prior to my call.  They said they would call the owner and have them come get the pup. 
Long story short, "Coco Puff" was actually "Liddy" and the owner was visiting a friend just down the road with her, and she decided to go for an evening jaunt around town. 

I could think of no better sign that I am in fact meant to be heading off to vet school today. 
Next time you hear from me... it will be from the lovely city of Edinburgh.
Peace, Love and Puppies,
Dr. Smelly

It's the final countdown!

Back from a glorious family vacation in North Carolina where I soaked up all the Vitamin D I could, knowing full well that I will be submerged in a land of gloom and rain. Good thing I love rainy days. 
But since my return, it has been a whirlwind of packing and organising.  I am attempting to fit my life into 2 large suitcases and it is proving to be no easy task.  Each suitcase is allowed 23 kg, or in American terms, 50 lbs.  This sounds like a lot, but I am quickly learning that it is not.  So fingers crossed I can get it down to below the allowed weight, but it is not looking pretty. 

Today I read an article which made me feel really warm and fuzzy inside.  I am taking out maximum loans from the government to pay for this ridiculous adventure.  People are constantly questioning me about how am I paying to live over in Scotland and for school, and to answer you all... monopoly money. I will get a fat check on Monday from the government which will pay for my tuition and living expenses.  It cannot come soon enough.  However, the below article put a damper on my excitement and threw up a "reality check" red flag.
The Government clearly hates students and does not want us to go to vet school.
(that is the title I gave it anyway)

So aside from worrying about packing my life, I am not fretting about future loans.  But the plus side to this is that the school I am attending has a fixed tuition rate, which is unlike those here in the states.  What this means is that they cannot jack up the price of tuition.  Too bad my fellow UK friends don't pay a penny for their education. But... I am going to vet school in a foreign, beautiful country with my lovely gentelman friend.  What more could a girl ask for?
Well I leave on Friday, best be packing.

TALLY HO! (this according to my father is a "Scottish" saying.  That and "chip chip cheerio").

Sarah Mclachlan, you kill me.

We all know this tug-on-your-heartstrings and force you to go rescue a dog or cat commercial...

To the average person, this is an extremely sad commercial, but you generally go on living your life after seeing it.  I unfortunately, am not so lucky.  I cannot watch this commercial without crying, literally.  I don't known if it's the combination of Sarah's sweet sweet song and the sad puppy faces, but it opens the floodgates, without fail. I have mentioned this to a few selected individuals, and Chris has seen it now and can prove that it is impossible for me to sit in the room without crying.  He laughed.  After much consideration, I decided what I thought was once a flaw is in actuality hard evidence that I am meant to be a) going into veterinary medicine, though others may disagree with me there and b) I will try my hardest to become a shelter medicine specialist, since dinosaurs are no longer living. 
It is too hard to say now what I will be good at and what will be my calling in school, or if I can even pass and graduate (fingers crossed).  But as we get closer to the start date, I am getting so excited that I, like Sarah Mclachlan, can help the animals.  Just not with my beautiful singing voice.

26 days until departure and struggling with the question "What will you do with Ozzie!?"  Please if you see me, do not ask me about this.

The Land Before Time

In a futile attempt to become computer-literate as well as to keeps those up to date on my chosen career path, I have officially decided to start a blog.  My inspiration comes from a fellow blogger (of the sweaty kind) as well as "Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog".  If you do not know either, you are missing out.  The name for my blog obviously stems from the Neil Patrick Harris show (see previous statement) and my attempt to honour (working on my UK spelling) him.  The chosen name, Dr. Smelly, will probably be what my future clients refer to me as.  Or maybe Dr. Smellhausen to be a bit more formal?  And naturally, I plan to focus my studies on creatures that have fascinated me since childhood.  You (if you do in fact know me) are probably thinking, "oh... Deer?  Horses?"  And to you I say, good guess, good guess indeed.  I will now digress as to share a favourite childhood activity of mine: playing deer.  To put it simply, I would run around on all fours throughout the house, as a family member would shine a flashlight on me.  Once spotted, I would freeze and stare wide-eyed into the light.  A deer in headlights.  Sometimes, I would be "hit by a car" and fall to my side, only to be rescued by the driver (a tolerable family member).  And the game would begin again.  But no, I do not necessarily want to specialise with deer.  What I would love to do most?  Orthopedic surgery on a great tyranosaurus rex.  I would settle for even a Hesperonychus elizabethae.  Sadly, my imagination is wilder than my actual dreams.  In my search to find a dino-friendly DVM program, I stumbled upon the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.  Headquarters: Edinburgh, Scotland. 

Okay I lied, my gentleman friend (copyright "Encounters of a Sweaty Kind") got me looking into vet schools abroad.  No, they are not a back up plan if you did not get into any schools in the states (I got waitlisted, thank you very much).  Look at said gentleman friend.  He did not get turned down by ANY vet school here in America (Cornell, Colorado, etc).  Edinbrugh is the place to be.  There are castles,  and it is the place where they cloned Dolly. 

So I welcome you aboard for this epic journey of an easily-frazzled, highly stressed but of course loveable vet-wannabe.  Buckle up, it is going to be a bumpy ride.