News from Julie Avard

[Bob Beamesderfer]

But... then you have to work with animals...

That's a step up.

[David Avard]

Thank you everybody!
And to answer some comments...

She could probably treat several of us, dogs that we are.

Clancy said something like "then you can treat us pigs."

$2k and a lost christmas eve/christmas on the kitten my then-to-be wife got me. But he rewards me every day now by scarring my feet twice a night, puking on the carpet every day and causing my wife 24hr congestion.

He's also an embarassment at the vet. He's 20+lbs of blubber despite that I barely feed him and so unrulely they need to have a large orderly present (think mental institution).

And I know deep down he's going to live to 30.

Jay W

Good one Jayson. I've known some cats like that, so don't feel too bad.

Congrats!

Is it possible to transfer to Nebraska after a year?

j/k,

Go Wildcats!

Well, Nebraska students have to come to Kansas, because they don't have their own vet school. And contrary to popular belief, having Nationals in our backyard was a side benefit of moving here for the primary purpose of getting me into vet school.

And yes, some people are more willing to spend money on their animals than others. There is a lot one can do, but you do have to look at the animal's quality of life. I'm sorry Mako had such a bad experience. Bob's story is more common, and all makes sense if one has the funds.

And yes, it will be tough and everything will be different, but it'll be worth it.

Thanks again for all your good thoughts!

Julie

[KJ Christopher]

Well, Nebraska students have to come to Kansas, because they don't have their own vet school. And contrary to popular belief, having Nationals in our backyard was a side benefit of moving here for the primary purpose of getting me into vet school.

Thanks again for all your good thoughts!

Julie

Next time you're in town, I'd love to get the rest of the story. I had know idea getting in to vet school would be that hard or require a move to Kansas.

[Craig Naylor]

Congrats Julie! :gpower:

Based upon the posts you could probably move back to LA and have a private practice serving the solo community as those posting here spend as much on their pets as they do their cars.

I must say I'm impressed as to the commitment many have expressed to their animals. Growing up, our cats were good for about two years on average before the coyotes got them. One, Samantha did live to be 11.

Our 2 cats are 10 & 11. Though my gut says I'd have them put down, I know I'd have to deal with the three sad girls in the house afterward....

[David Avard]

Growing up, our cats were good for about two years on average before the coyotes got them.

This would be why we never let our cats out at night. In CA, or in KS.

Of course, we did have two who snuck out at night (in Encino), never to be seen again.

[Steve Ekstrand]

My cat "Fluffy" used to sneak out at night....
It kept the local coyote and mountain lion population in check.
She lived to be 22yo on a diet of "locally sourced" fresh meat. German Shepard tartare was one of her favorite dishes.
The local dog owners filed complaints about our "dangerous" cat. Animal control laughed them off....
Fortunately, they never came out and investigated.
"Fluffy" petted you. If you tried to pet "Fluffy" it typically required stitches if there was anything left to mend.

[Craig Naylor]

Fluffy sounds a lot like Samantha. We had deliveries to our front porch: mice, gophers, birds, lizards, snakes. Would sit there with the catch of the day until we opened the door and acknowledged her deed. Then lucky she would trot of with it, and we would never see it again.

She had a broken tail most her life when she defended our yard from the local German Sheppard who got loose. Neighbors threaten to sue for their pet bills, my dad told them to take us to small claims... and tell the judge what our cat did to their guard dog when it was off leash terrorizing the neighborhood kids (we would cross the street and pass that house and then cross back just to avoid the dog even behind the 6 foot chain link fence in the front yard!)

But, she was a snuggle cat too. I had her trained when within sight... if I snapped my fingers, and made a scratching motion like I was scratching the top of her head, she would come over and put her head directly under your hand. Move your hand, and she would assume you were done. Snap again and she would move to where you moved to continue being scratched/rubbed.

[Steve Ekstrand]

Fluffy would sleep on my bed. And sleep in my lap watching TV, but it was all on her terms. Try to call her and she'd look at you like your were crazy. Try to pick her up and you'd bleed. Badly.

She chased a huge German Shepard through our house. The dog was dripping blood from the corner of the eye all the way down his snout. Kinda limping too with a sore paw. Mom didn't appreciate the dog blood on the carpets.

Fluffy was really my dads cat. He could pick her up. But when he moved out she became downright anti-social.

She could hide under the sink. People came over she'd run up to the sink, open the cabinet doors, go in, and close the door behind her. Didn't have a video camera or we would have won America's Funniest Home Videos.