I really think that pet owners are a little bit nicer people than the rest of humanity - don't you agree?  All of us at Knollwood were the grateful recipients of an overwhelming shower of goodness and thoughtful wishes and gifts from our friends and clients over this last holiday season.

So many of you baked for us, cooked for us, went shopping for us, and in general went out of your way to find things that you knew we'd enjoy!  From the homemade cookies and candies, to the wonderful fruit, nuts, popcorn, and chocolates, to the chestnut panettone, to the gourmet goodies from here, there, and everywhere; it was wonderful, and we all feel VERY spoiled.  Except for Dr. Boudreaux.  She  says she's still waiting for those incredible, double-dipped, chocolate covered Oreo cookie treats from Charlie's mom...... 

And the cards!  The amazing, funny, creative, heart-warming  cards we received!  We're going to put our top ten on this website for you to enjoy as soon as Kelly, our webmistress, gets settled in her new home and has time to plug in her computer.  But here are the clear winners, in no particular order (you can imagine them until then!):

• "December 25th Gift Massacre at the Padron House"
• Pam and Sparky the bunny, both wearing Santa hats
• Joey and Beth's "catfight" card - graphic designers create the BEST cards!
• Dolomite (who came so near death this year) enjoying a special holiday treat in his Santa hat
• "Five Golden Blings", from the Szweds
• Rascal, Joe, and Max, all wearing their pawprint hats
• Sherry and Karen's gang (Morgan, Trevor, and Owen) posing with Santa and a snowman
• The Villwock gang, all four in Santa hats (the cats are clearly NOT happy about being Photoshopped!)
• Chinook in her holiday collar
• Heidi waiting for Santa by the tree (Heidi has the chair, so I guess Santa gets the floor!)

And there's more.  Many of you know the pain I went though earlier this year when my sweet Bull Mastiff girl, Sofia, died unexpectedly.  The donations I received to our KPR group, in Sofia's name, were a special joy for me this holiday season.  I know that some of you lost dear pets, too.  Your donations in their names were equally appreciated.  Despite your personal loss, so many of you remembered to gather up and donate your departed pet's medication, toys, food, kennels, bedding, and other items, too.   These are all very much needed supplies for KPR.  I assure you, as hard as it is to do this (I did it too, in Sofia's memory) it means SO MUCH to so many clients who benefit from the donated items. 

Would it help to be able to put a face to your donations? Many of you may remember Josh, our former Nurse and current Knollwood Volunteer.  Josh's senior companion and nursing home visitation dog, Tyson, was recently and unexpectedly diagnosed with severe kidney failure.  We were able to supply Josh with a big bag of a special kidney diet (donated), medication to control vomiting (donated), plus a needed dietary supplement (donated).  We are able to offer help like this to many clients, due to your generosity.  We were able to supply much-needed medication and supplies to many pets whose owners were temporarily unable to purchase them; we partially funded a number of needed medical workups and surgeries; and we were also able to donate items to several Cairn and Westie rescue groups in the area.  I assure you, there is NEVER an item that we can't use or can't donate to a group that has great need of it.

And there's still more good news.....  A Knollwood client who has a special interest in integrative veterinary medicine, and who has seen the benefit her pets have received from it, has stepped forward once again and has donated funds sufficient to support ALL of my continuing education training and seminars for 2008.  Her donation will also permit us to establish a very nice basic complementary medicine library, to supplement our existing medical library.

We all have days where we feel truly blessed, but I feel as if we at Knollwood received a torrential outpouring of blessings and good thoughts from all of you.  I am deeply appreciative of your kindness.  It will be a nice thought for all of us to carry and to keep us warm, until the snow is gone this spring!

DR. MITCHELL