inspiration

When I work, sometimes I overhear conversations that the veterinarians are having with vet techs or other veterinarians. Sometimes, their conversations really discourage me. My dream is to be a veterinarian, but it seems as if some of the vets lost sight of their passion a long time ago. They lost sight of the reason that they became a veterinarian in the first place. Now, all they seem to care about is showing up and then leaving. 

    But that is not the case for all of them. Three veterinarians really stand out at my clinic. One of them is the head vet. Everyone loves him. He has such a head for his human clients, his animal patients, and the career that he had chosen years ago. The fire is still in his heart, and it is so easy to see. I aspire to be like him one day. 

    The next veterinarian is a woman that not a lot of people at my work seem to “understand”. Some of them don’t like her because she seems mean. I was afraid of her, because I listened to what everyone else said. But then I just took a minute to watch her, and I took a minute to get to know her better. Actually, she is the one who started talking to me. And then I realized that even if she isn’t the best people person, she is one of the best animal persons I have seen at the clinic. Her love for animals, especially cats, is absolutely incredible. 

    The last veterinarian actually isn’t there that much. She had a major surgery last year and is still recovering. But, she is amazing. She has a big list of clients that will ONLY see her. It seems as if they know that she’s coming in before we know! She usually calls us to let us know she will be coming in that day and at what time, but sometimes her clients show up and tell us before she has even called us! Seeing her talk to the clients and the patients is so beautiful. She has such a way with people and with animals. She is such an inspiration to me. She is another example of someone who fell in love with a passion years ago and still remembers that they fell in love with it. 

    There are many veterinarians at my clinic, but those three inspire me more and more everyday to pursue my passion. 

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

 Harriet Tubman

to have a dream

    Most of my blog posts have been about working in the boarding area in my clinic, because, in all honesty, I’d much rather talk about the amazing animals I get to see rather than the multitudes of people I have to deal with. But, working at a vet hospital has one amazing benefit (well, two if you count seeing so many animals everyday). I get to be in close contact with eight very talented veterinarians every day. That is every pairing veterinarian’s dream! 

    I have been able to witness/hear some amazing things. I have seen two surgeries by our head vet ( my personal favorite vet), a pyo and a neuter, as well as hearing some amazing stories and facts that every pre vet student should know. Working here this summer has prepared me more to be a veterinarian than any of the classes I took this past year could have. 

    My love for animals and my passion to serve them has only continued to increase since working here. It’s as if I have two sets of eyes now. One set I wear when I am at home or just out and about. The other set I wear when I am at work with all of these animals or basically anywhere that has animals. I am always so aware of them now. Well, I guess I should say that I am even MORE aware of them now. Who knew that could happen? Everyone who knows me knows that I have had a fire in my heart for animals since I came home from the hospital my first day in this world and was greeted by two crazy, beautiful, black Labrador retrievers. My passion for animals hasn’t stopped since. 

    “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” ― Anatole France

earning trust

    This is a beautiful veteran German Shepherd. I fell in love the minute I laid my eyes upon her. She did not feel the same way, though. She was so scared, her entire body was quivering. She was huddled on her little cot in the corner, as far away from the door and as far away from me as possible. I could not possibly let her continue to fear me. I had to change her opinion about me. I wanted her to look at me as her friend and companion, not as her enemy. 

    Gaining the trust of animals can be tricky. You want them to trust you, but you need to be cautious while earning their trust. As much as you love them, you are not sure how they will react to you, especially in close proximity. They could just bark at you, which might sound/look threatening, but as soon as you are in the cage with them and there is not a wiry cage door separating the two of you, they could jump on you and start kissing you all over. Others, though, could possibly try to bite or scratch you. It is not because they are cruel dogs. They are just frightened and out of their comfort zone. 

   As I entered the cage and slowly approached the German Shepherd, she began to crouch. I did not know if it was because she was scared or if she was going to attack. So, I decided to sit on the floor of her cage and let her approach me when she was ready. 

    She stared at me for a minute and then slowly walked towards me. I help out my hand so she could sniff it. She sniffed all around me, probably smelling every other dog in the boarding area on me. I pet her head, which scared her, but she then liked it. Eventually, she started licking me All over, she plopped right down on my lap. 

    Gaining an animal’s trust can be the most rewarding feeling. It isn’t always as easy as gaining the trust of this German Shepherd. But, it is always worth it. ♡

Proverbs 12:10

A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

    

unconditional love

Working at a vet clinic for the past month has taught me so much more than I could have ever expected.

          First, it has shown me that I want to be a veterinarian now more than I ever have in my life. And second, it has shown me love. Love beyond my wildest dreams. Not just the love of the animals for all humans, but the love of the owners for their very special furry friends. I have grown up loving animals. Everyone’s animals. Not just my own. But I never honestly realized how much other people love their own pets. I’m crazy for never realizing that. I hear the stories from the owners about all the money they spend on their pets, just to make sure their babies have the best lives possible. One woman even told me that she and her husband spend $20,000 on their little chihuahua, TRYING TO SAVE HIS LIFE. Unfortunately, he still didn’t make it. Working at a vet clinic has truly restored my faith in humanity. 

        It has also shown me the “proper way” to care for animals. I always thought that I was so smart and knew exactly how to care for pets, but caring for other people’s pets is completely different. Yes, another aspect of my job is working back in the boarding area which I LOVE. I don’t just love it. I adore it. It gives me a break from the hustle and bustle with dealing with clients and just allows me to bask in the presence of all the pooches and pussy cats that are surrounding me, excitedly waiting for me to play with them and love on them. 

        It isn’t always that easy, though. Some of the animals don’t understand why they are there. They honestly think they were just left by their humans and that their humans are never coming back. You can tell that that’s what they think by looking at their faces. You can also tell by the way that they shake and how they seem frozen in one place. It can be quite heartbreaking. I wish they could understand me when I tell them that their owners are coming back for them. 

        Since they do not understand that, the best thing to do is to give them so much love and attention and affection that they forget for the time being about their owners. But, when their owners do come back for them, seeing the looks on their faces is absolutely priceless. 

        I love my job. What 

Job 12:7 

But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you.