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Winter 2008 Newsletter
Yoshi
The Power of the Dog
Season's Greetings
Holiday Hours
Dental Special
Cook County Spay-Neuter Deal
In 1993 I purchased Yoshi, an oversized Shiba Inu (miniature Akita) from a former employee whose landlord wouldn’t let her keep a 2nd dog. She had been boarding him and he was soooooo cute. He wrinkled his face into a grin every time he saw me. I brought him home to be a companion to our very bad Welsh Corgi. He was a complete terror! He peed and pooped everywhere. He chewed up things. He cried. I brought him back to my office, and my wife and I congratulated ourselves for showing the common sense to recognize that we did not need another (bad) dog. But, he kept grinning and looking cute, and a week later he moved home for good. He was gorgeous and graceful. He moved like a gazelle. He ran through our house and leapt over furniture without effort. Back in the day, I was still jogging and running 10Ks. He loved to go out with me and he made it possible for me to run faster than I could have imagined. He loved to ride in cars, perching himself on the armrest between driver and passenger and resting his head on my lap. At 10 he was as much a puppy as he was at 1. At 12, when we got Hairy, our Border Collie puppy, he could still outrun him to retrieve a toy during a game of fetch. The past 2 years were not kind to Yoshi. Old age seldom is. He grew deaf and began sleeping more, looking his age, and having a difficult time getting comfortable, even with medications. Wednesday, November 19, Carlina and I took Yoshi to my office. We hugged him, kissed him, fed him bread and cheese (his favorite meal, second only to used Kleenex.) and sobbed. I gave him a tranquilizer while he continued to eat. When he was sleepy I slipped a needle in his vein and gave him the gift that veterinarians can give…I ended his pain. It left a huge hole in my heart. I really miss him. I know that each of you thinks your dog is the most beautiful dog in the world, and I won’t argue. But here is a picture of Yoshi.
THE POWER OF THE DOG - Rudyard Kipling
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
But when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years that nature permits
Are closing in asthma or tumors or fits
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers, or loaded guns.
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Then you will find--its your own affair
But--you've given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will
When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You still discover how much you care
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We've sorrow enough in the natural way
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em the more do we grieve;
For when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short time loan is as bad as a long--
So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
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Wishing you the happiest of holidays & a new year filled with health & happiness, peace and prosperity.
Dr. Fox, Dr. Heneghan, Dr. Haynes
Liz, Lauren, Lisa, Mandy,Brandy,July,Blanka, Michelle, Rafal , Tina and Nikki
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Holiday Hours:
December 19 8AM-4PM December 31 8AM-2PM
December 24 8AM- noon January 1 closed
December 25 closed January 2 8AM-6PM
As always, we are always available by phone at 708-456-6700
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Dental Special in December & January
As you probably remember, we have an annual “sale” on dental services. All dental-related services are given at a 10% reduction (minimum of $25 off). This is a good time to check your pets’ teeth. If you see tartar or discoloration of the teeth, red, inflamed, bleeding or pus-infected gums, or if you experience that depressing feeling that you don’t want to kiss your pet any longer, it’s time for a visit to our practice.
Here’s what’s involved in a dental prophy: We have to use general anesthesia to do a complete prophy. To be safe, ALL pets are given a quick, preanesthesia exam, started on IV fluids. We then administer a short injectable anesthesia and maintain anesthesia using oxygen and Isoflurane, the safest anesthetic drug available, followed by ultrasonic scaling of the teeth and then by polishing the cleaned teeth. Older pets should have a geriatric blood test before the prophy. In almost every case, we’ll send your pet home later the same day, with kissable breath and a beautiful smile. And they will feel bright-eyed and bushy-tailed! Some pets, whether due to genetics, poor feeding habits, or neglect, will have periodontal disease (pyorrhea) so bad that we’ll have to take some or many extractions. These pets will be given antibiotics and pain medications as well. When we send them home, you’ll get complete instructions on how to try to prevent tartar form building up so quickly.
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February is the month of Romance
And when you think of romance, think about not letting your pets get romantic!
As in prior years, the Cook County Department of Animal Control will underwrite surgical sterilization (spay and neuter) of dogs and cats by giving a $40 rebate. To take advantage of this great deal, you need to be a resident of Cook County, and your pet needs to be up to date on its rabies vaccination. We can vaccinate your pet the day of the surgery if that’s all you need to fulfill the requirements. There is a 2 pet per household limit, but it’s still a great deal.
Why spay or neuter? Obviously, surgical sterilization prevents unwanted pregnancies, but it also prevents heat periods, breast, uterine and prostate cancers and disease in dogs and cats. Veterinarians have always discounted the cost of these surgeries. This February, you get a further “discount” these surgeries courtesy of Cook County. Live outside Cook County? You should still spay or neuter your pet for good health and long life! Call 708-456-6700 for details!
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