In the days preceding Thanksgiving, one of my very favorite comic strips - "Mutts" by the very talented Patrick McDonnell - featured several days of star characters Earl the dog and Mooch the cat illustrating the phrase "If the only prayer you ever said was THANK YOU, it would be enough."
McDonnell hit it right on the head - giving thanks is indeed a powerful prayer. Mooch and Earl and Ernie and all the other denizens of the marvelous little world he has created are thankful for many things. Warmed up food in a kitty bowl, a cozy sweater to wear during cold outdoor walks, a (sometimes) friendly butcher who (sometimes) hands out treats, a human as eager to see them as they are to see their human at the end of a working day. A loving home for a shelter kitty, or two, or three. A compassionate hug for the neighborhood tough dog (really a softy inside) who is forced to live on a short chain. An owner who understands that what a kitty loved to eat yesterday only rates a "foo!" of disgust when it's served up again today as leftovers....but it might be OK next week!
Cartoon character Mooch's disdainful "foo!", uttered with kitty nose turned skywards in completely appalled disgust, always makes me giggle - and then it makes me thankful that I don't have too many "foos!" of my own to utter. I truly feel blessed to be able to support my family and make a comfortable living doing what I love to do the most. Do veterinarians make a lot of money? Not if you stack our monetary income up to that of a skilled plumber, electrician, school teacher, or most especially that of a "real Doctor". But even during the most difficult, strenuous, challenging, and just plain crummy days I've had at Knollwood Hospital for Pets, I generally go home with a smile on my face - and more happy thoughts than "foos!". And THAT is something to be thankful for, every day of the year.
So here's my thanks to the people who helped it happen and who keep me going:
My high school guidance counselor, who told me to "pick something else" when I told him that I wanted to be a veterinarian. He pointed out that only 6% of all veterinarians were women (this was the early 70's) and that I ought to have a back-up plan. He gave me both the determination to succeed against the odds, and the knowledge that always having a back-up plan was a heckuva smart idea. I never needed the backup plan, but I still use what I learned developing it. And who knows? If I ever retire, maybe I will go back into wildlife studies or landscape design!
Cecilia Koch, my grandmother, who set a wonderful example of diligence as a working woman all of her life. Starting as an entrepreneur in the 20's with a business she and her sister ran, she unashamedly took a job as a domestic when her business failed and worked her way back up through "store girl," as they were called in those days, to senior switchboard operator at a Buffalo, NY department store chain. I never saw anyone's hands fly so fast as she plugged in dozens of calls per minute on her switchboard, always remaining calm and polite to whomever called in. (Yes kids, in those days every telephone call made to a store had to be manually plugged in, to connect the caller to whatever department they were trying to reach).
My parents, who taught me to stand on my own two feet - and fast! - by not paying one penny towards my college costs - all eleven years of them. Was it something I'd love to do all over again? Not on your life. Would I do this to my kids? Not in a million years - but I wouldn't pay for the whole shebang, either. Lessons learned: It is entirely possible to work three, four, or more jobs and still succeed in school. No job is too dirty of a job, nor is any job "beneath" you. Macaroni and cheese in a box can be made with just the orange powder and water, and still sort of taste like mac & cheese. Meat substitute - isn't. You can get through any miserable situation by telling yourself "It won't be this way for my entire life." And the valuable lessons I learned in thrift and economy are with me today.
Bob Vogel of Arcola, who taught a budding 70's hard-core feminist that all men are not chauvinist pigs trying to keep us women down. Bob headed up the Forestry Division at the City of Champaign Department of Public Works, and he took a big chance in the eyes of his union buddies by hiring me for a summer job in 1978. I promised him I'd have the requisite "D" truck license within a week of hire, and that I'd keep up with the rest of the crew digging holes to plant trees and chain-sawing them down from a bucket truck, and he believed me. That job paid twice what any other job in the area paid at the time, and by coming back every summer all through vet school to work for Bob, I graduated with a lot less debt than I would have had otherwise. Bob was a true gentleman.
Dr. Matt Maish of Schaumburg, who told me, in the 80's when I was working for him as a substitute vet, to never be afraid of opening a business in Schaumburg. He's a kind, compassionate man, a great example of a colleague willing to help others, and a wonderful veterinarian!
Former employer Dr. "X" of Schaumburg, who told me that he would never put a woman in charge of one of his veterinary clinics. I told him that I'd then be one of his competitors one day, and he told me I'd never make it. The heat of the outrage I felt kept me fueled and running during some lean and exhausting times.
Joan and Gene Six, formerly of Roselle, who sat up with me nights trying to come up with a name for the hospital. I'm so glad that Joan talked me out of "Staffire" (the road on the other side of our plaza), and insisted that it needed to be a hospital, not a clinic.
Marcia Stout, my first employee at Knollwood. Marcia was the consummate example of a cool, calm, and collected multi-tasker. For about 6 months, she was my only employee. Marcia answered phones, assisted in surgery, helped run interference with the village when it wasn't clear that they were going to let us open, and persuaded her husband Bob to come in and assemble tons of equipment. Who would have thought that all the stainless steel kennels would arrive in a dozen pieces per kennel and needed to be assembled like a giant jigsaw puzzle? Or that an anesthetic machine would have over 65 parts but only a half-page assembly manual?
My dear Bear, the most beautiful Lab-Shepherd-Doberman mix I'd ever seen, for sparking my interest in acupuncture. Bear was dumped at the Champaign County Humane Society (site of another one of my jobs during vet school) with 6 other littermates. She didn't get adopted, and I was going to have to be the one who euthanized her, and I had already euthanized far too many wonderful animals that deserved homes that day -so Bear went home with me instead. She was a faithful companion all through vet school and after my move to the Chicago area. At age 11, she developed spinal problems and began to lose her ability to walk. Frantic, I tracked down every neurologist in the three-state area. No one could help. Finally, the neurologist at the University of Illinois vet school said "it's too bad that no one in the Chicago area does acupuncture, because I've heard that it might help." It did, after I made the time to learn it, and Bear lived to be 16. Acupuncture is still helping many of my patients today.
To all of my wonderful clients, from whom I've learned so much: You've been a constant source of inspiration to keep learning for you, so that I can repay what I've learned from you. It is said that we tend to attract people like ourselves, and I can tell you that it is an honor and a privilege to be in the company of so many animal lovers. It tickles me to see how many of you own up to keeping pictures of your pets in your wallet, on your phone, or on your computer; celebrate their birthdays; get them holiday presents; buy those "bling" collars and leashes; own up to having rooms full of kitty or dog toys; sing songs to them - and wouldn't think of going on vacation without making sure that your pets were well taken care of in your absence. I hope you never feel embarrassed to admit those things again, because I know that they are true expressions of love.
Finally, thank you to my wonderful, dedicated, caring staff. Veterinary staff don't make the income they deserve any more than veterinarians do - it's a labor of love for all of us. The people I work with are the ones who REALLY keep the hospital going, not me. I'm just the Doctor.
Here's my heartfelt gratitude to:
Dr. Mona Boudreaux, our Practice Manager and my partner. Dr. B.'s herbal business and the herbal course she organizes and administers are flourishing - and that means we'll all be seeing a little less of her next year. She'll still be seeing clients on alternate Friday evenings here at the hospital in 2007.
Dr. Mary Papacek, our Surgeon and Veterinarian. After retiring and selling her practice earlier in 2006, Dr. Mary decided that retirement was boring. Among the dozens and dozens of practices that were probably screaming "pick us! pick US!", she elected to come to work at Knollwood. and we are all thrilled to have someone with her talents, skills, dedication, and personality. Dr. Mary handles all our surgeries and sees patients every weekday except Tuesday, as well as on alternate Saturdays.
Kelly Ryan, our Webmistress and Newsletter Editor, used to be one of our hospital Nurses. We miss her skills in that capacity, but we LOVE the job she's doing on our website and for our newsletter, which is published once a year. Anything you see on the website is basically something developed by Kelly (I know she'll want me to say that any spelling errors are my responsibility, and she'd be right!). We'd be lost without her.
Michelle Czerwinski, our Front Office Manager. You couldn't ask for a more dedicated or thorough person than Michelle to organize the front office and keep it humming. We literally have to make her promise to not worry about us when she takes a Saturday off. She's also a VERY talented karaoke singer - you should hear her version of "Black Velvet!”
Cyndi, our full time Receptionist, Consultation Coordinator, and holiday decorator extraordinaire. Cyndi's skills in making our front office exude holiday charm include bringing many of her own decorations from home. It's looking great, Cyndi!
Chani, our part-time Receptionist, juggles several jobs with a full school load in her goal to become a teacher. She's always bringing in little goodies to help decorate the office or make the job more enjoyable - and she's got a million megawatt smile, every day!
Doris, our part-time Receptionist, is currently on a leave of absence. We all wish Doris the best and hope she's back soon to brighten our - and our client's - days with her wonderful smile. No one knows all the words to those 60's songs like Doris....
Katie, our seasonal Receptionist Assistant, is in a pre-vet program at college but returns to work with us during holidays and summers. We all know that she's going to be a great vet someday!
Jenny Moorman, our Nursing Supervisor, manages all of our hospital Nurses and Nurse Assistants. It's a time-consuming and difficult job that has to drive her crazy sometimes, but it's rare that you'll ever see it show. Jenny has the knack of making even difficult jobs look easy - that's how you know she's a true professional. How she makes the time to bake brownies for us, I will never know.
Marta, our full time Nurse, has blazed through Nurse training faster than any Nurse in Knollwood history! We expect a lot from our Nurses, and Marta has risen to the challenge each and every time. Her bilingual skills have made visits more comfortable for many of our Polish-speaking clients.
Nikki, our part-time Nurse Assistant, is one of our most multi-skilled people. In a pinch, she can also work at the front desk, or with Dr. Boudreaux - and she trains all our Hospital Assistants, too! Nikki is attending college locally in preparation to entering a pre-vet program - we all know she'll have "D.V.M." after her name in about 7 more years.
Jamie, our part-time Nurse Assistant, helps us on Thursday and Friday evenings. If your pet has ever had a Friday surgery, chances are it was Jamie who helped make your pet feel safe and comfortable after the procedure.
Josh, our very part-time Nurse, works one Saturday a month with us. We've all shared the ups and downs of the show careers of Josh's Irish Terriers over the years and have seen his "Dog Whisperer" skills in action here at the hospital.
Michelle, our Hospital Assistant, has the job that, as we all tell her, "is where you start in veterinary medicine.” That means she cleans up a lot and assists us a lot with whatever needs to be done. She's always ready and willing to do anything, and she does a GREAT job - we all know that we are very lucky to have her working with us.
Tami, our Hospital Volunteer, has faithfully been working at the hospital most Thursdays for several years. In addition to helping us with stocking, inventory, and filling of herbal prescriptions (at which she's become quite an expert!), Tami is our resident Rabbit Expert. Any questions you might have about pet rabbits can probably best be answered by Tami, who has a whole herd of rabbits at home.
Patrick O'Donnell and his "Mutts" are winners of the National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award for “Cartoonist of the Year” (a lifetime achievement), Germany's prestigious "Max and Moritz" Best International Comic Strip Cartoonist Award, and multiple Genesis Awards, presented by The Humane Society of the United States, for ongoing commitment and outstanding work on behalf of animal welfare issues. Those are some impressive accomplishments. But if there were awards for the people I've given thanks to here in this column, just know, folks - you'd have every lifetime achievement award that exists! THANK YOU, and blessings.
