This has been a tough spring for many of us. I saw a client just a few weeks ago who typified the way a lot of us are feeling these days. She had scheduled her pet's exam appointment several times in the past few months and then cancelled it every time. Now she was embarrassed and apologetic, because her pet was seriously overdue "for everything," as she put it. But money had been tight, she said, and her husband had been laid off, and her own work hours had been cut to part-time. So maybe, she suggested hesitantly, we could "split up" what her pet needed, and could do some things now and some things later in the summer. She again apologized for not being able to do "everything" right now.
I thought a minute, and looked down at her pet. Two little ears perked up and a small tail thump greeted me. Her pet certainly appeared bright, alert, and well nourished. So she was providing a good diet, I asked? We talked food and nutrition for awhile, and I realized that her pet was eating better than most veterinarians. What about home grooming - ears, nails, coat, and teeth? Absolutely, she had that covered. Exercise? Yes, she walked her pet half an hour, twice a day, no matter what the weather was like. And I knew that this little dog was certainly well loved!
My client let out a huge sigh of relief when I told her that she already had a lot of the essential "everythings" covered, all without having seen the vet! Now, could she manage just a few of the health benefits this veterinarian could provide today? Maybe just the exam, the most necessary tests for internal parasites, and at least get a start on heartworm prevention, with the rest to be deferred until later in the summer? I reminded her that last year, she had accepted our recommendations for a three year rabies vaccine - so she was already in compliance with local and state laws. She immediately brightened and smiled. Yes, she absolutely could do those few things today, she said.
So we took care of it quickly and comfortably for her pet, after performing a full medical exam. The "distemper" vaccine could definitely wait 2 months, I told her - and I suggested that when the time came, we would use the new three year booster vaccine. That way, her pet will never again have to receive multiple vaccines at the same time ever again-and that's a lot healthier for many pets.
With tears in her eyes, my client thanked me for my understanding. "Especially since YOU probably never come up short, Dr. Mitchell!" And I thought......well now. We all come up short in some way or another sometimes, don't we? I'm 55 and I've still never learned to bake a decent loaf of bread, to do an on-line search, or to change the oil in a car more complicated than my old VW Bug. I've been on time with only two newsletters this year (Lizzie does a little better, but she's been late a lot, too!). The remodeling project for the clinic is on hold, because when our clients don't have money, we don't either. Much to the chagrin of my accountant, I filed a tax extension this year because I plain ran out of time. My closets at home are a mess, and let's not even talk about my tool chest. I woke up today and realized that I'm older than many of our Presidents. And I'm so far behind on retirement savings (veterinarians have to provide their own) that you'll be seeing me until I drop in Exam Room Three.
And I suspect that many of you can relate. We are ALL, in some way or another, coming up short in some way, at least some of the time. And just as it was OK for my client - because she's honestly doing the best she can in a tough time - it's OK for the rest of us. Sometimes, the best you can do is to maintain and keep a smile on your face. So, please! Join me, when you read this, in cutting yourself some slack for the things YOU didn't get done. Take a real or a virtual break. Visualize having a nice cup of tea, grab a cookie, put your feet up for just a few precious minutes...and relax. You know that everything will still be waiting for you after your break!
Until next month (or two),
Dr. Mitchell
