My name is Dr. V. Actually, it’s Jessica, followed by a long last name that no one can ever pronounce correctly, so I think it’s best that we just do what everyone at my work does and call me Dr. V. You can call me Jessica if you insist, but don’t expect me to answer any questions about your dog if you do. READ MORE >>

Today, on my lunch break, I was browsing my local pet superstore in search of a pair of Easter Bunny ears for Koa (no dice, by the way. I’m open to suggestions for where I might find some at this late hour.)

Anyway, I ducked into the loo, and as I shut the stall door I heard a “scritch scritch” noise not unlike someone sweeping the floor. Scritch, scritch. Scritch, scritch.

I look under the door. I do not see any feet.

Scritch, scritch.

Then a rat ran across my feet. read more >>

A man and his daughter arrive with the daughter’s kitten. The kitten is not feeling well, they tell me. She hasn’t eaten for several days.

I examine the kitten, who is dehydrated and depressed. Her belly is large and pendulous. “Where did you get her from?” I inquire. The shelter, they tell me as they watch me pull several cc’s of straw colored fluid from her abdomen.

We talk about FIP, a nasty disease with a very poor prognosis. The young girl, probably 7 or 8, nods solemnly. She knew something bad was going on, looking up at me through her tears with the sad eyes of a child who has known loss before. I leave them to talk.

One of the prices we pay for living in paradise (aside from traffic, cost of living, and all of that manmade stuff) is sharing the land with the lovely rattlesnake.

Generally speaking, they aren’t too difficult to deal with if you are your average suburbanite- just leave them be. It’s not like they’re Boomslangs that drop randomly out of trees onto your head (I had nightmares after learning that little factoid); they sun themselves on rocks and other exposed places trying to be left alone. They give you warning rattles. They are fairly non-confrontational.

Of course, none of this matters to an overexcitable dog. Which is why starting every spring, veterinary clinics and emergency rooms are flooded with sick, puffy faced dogs who got a little too close to a rattler. Unfortunately, some die. Treatment, even if it works, is very expensive. The rattlesnake vaccine may confer some protection, but does not eliminate the need for treatment after a snakebite. The best treatment is prevention.

A local Meetup group I belong to coordinated a Rattlesnake Avoidance clinic this weekend. I’ve heard about the classes, though I’ve never done one myself. Given my suspicion that this will be a pretty prolific snake season, in conjunction with Brody’s sincere enthusiasm for wildlife, I decided to check it out.

Grandma’s house is as close as a dog can get to heaven on this earth. The yard is one big lush garden, full of bright beautiful flowers, inviting bees to annoy, and a pool for a refreshing dip. Plus the caretaker is generous with the treats. I’m pretty sure the dogs would like to live there; sadly though, they are stuck with me.

For all of this, there is a price. They must occasionally play along with our whims. Grandma is very fond of her flowers.

They bear this willingly, for the most part.

Some more than others.

Pawcurious Police Department

Law Enforcement Incident Report

Date: 03/26/2010 Time Printed: 0715 Incident Number: 012345

INCIDENT DATA:

Incident Type: HOMICIDE

Address of Occurence: DR V’S YARD

Weapon Used: TEETH

Domestic: YES

I had NO idea I had so many knowledgeable chicken experts reading this blog. Truly, thank you for the encouragement and all the fantastic links. I have my work cut out for me. I even found out my receptionist is on a similar chicken kick and she pointed me to a place that is selling 8 month old laying hens. Score!

There are all sorts of things that put me in a good mood this week. I put new tags on everyone’s collars, and they are seriously, seriously cute tags. Since people tend to frown on dressing up 80 pound dogs in cute outfits, I have to rely on accessories for the cute factor, so there you go.

The lovely Jen Cleere from Fetching Tags offered to send me my very own set of tags for the menagerie, and as soon as I saw how adorable they were I said, “Yes, please!”