Dear friends; 

Let me start out by telling you the GOOD news, because there is lots of it. I hope you've noticed Knollwood's presence on Facebook and Twitter.  We have a March pet photo contest going on right now on Facebook.  Rules for the contest were posted on March 3rd, and we'd love to see some pictures of your pet celebrating St. Pat's day - please send them our way.  On our Facebook site, you can become a Knollwood fan and share the news about YOUR pet! 

We have three fabulous new staff members, all of who have a firm background in customer service, two of them coming to us from other veterinary hospitals.  We're proud to introduce these new members of the Knollwood team: Stacy, Lindsey, and Sonia.  As we gear up for the other changes coming for our hospital, we know we'll need their help. 

And, as we move into the spring, you'll be seeing my face more and more at the hospital. (I hope that's good news!)  But you won't be seeing Dr. Tartof (that's the bad news), and I know that many of you will miss her, as will I.  She met with me about a month and a half ago and told me that she wanted to void our contract and work only a very limited schedule consisting of two non-sequential weekdays.  Given the hospital's needs for complete coverage when I am lecturing (or even if I wanted to take a weekend off!), Dr. Tartof's new availability didn't work for me....so you will be seeing me most of the time, for the near foreseeable future.  Knollwood has an active job posting for a veterinarian, both on the website and in the major veterinary journals.  One of the things it says is that we are looking not for the first available veterinarian, but the RIGHT veterinarian - so we'll wait until we find her or him. 

In the meantime, we do have a few veterinary friends that many of you know coming in to help out.  Our preferred relief veterinarian is Dr. Mary Papacek, who most of you remember and trust as a former Knollwood Doctor.  She will be providing coverage for me, when I am away lecturing and when I need a break.  We'll also have some assistance with surgery.  Otherwise, you'll be seeing my smiling face at the hospital, Mondays through Saturdays, beginning April 1st (oh, STOP!  Yes, I know it's April Fool's Day, and no, this isn't an April Fool's joke). 

 I'll be seeing patients each weekday starting at 10am and continuing till our 7pm closing time.  Saturdays, we'll be available beginning at 9am. As always, our first and last appointments of the day are reserved for severe emergency conditions that can't wait until later in the day or the next day.  And, we've added extra same-day care and emergency care appointment slots throughout the day, so that we can make sure to be available for those needs, because they do come up! 

Lastly, I do have a special request.  Recently, some really awful internet reviews of Knollwood have surfaced.  Most were written by a former disgruntled employee, and we'd be very appreciative if, in the event you see them, you write a follow-up review about what good things you noticed at your last visit.  (Unless you agree with the nasty reviews, in which case I hope you'll let me know, so we can fix whatever problem you noticed.) 

What follows isn't mine - in fact, it is anonymous - but I found it particularly touching.  I made a few changes, because it wouldn't have been complete for me if it referenced "just a dog" and didn't mention all those kitties, bunnies, and assorted other living beings who bring such joy into our lives.  Besides, Emmett insisted! 

JUST A PET?

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog or cat," or "that's a lot of money for just a dog or cat."  They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a cat."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed when my only company was "just a cat," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog."  In those days of darkness, the gentle, whisker-y touch of "just a cat" or "just a bunny," or even "just another dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog" - "just a cat" - "just a bunny," then you probably understand phrases like "just a friend" or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.  "Just a cat" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a dog," I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. Because of "just a cat," I will spend time at the grocery store, picking out two perfect shrimp.  Because of "just a bunny," I will buy only organic produce.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog," but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a cat" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman" or "just a man."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog" or "just a cat" or just a bunny" - well, just smile, because they "just don't understand."

~Unknown Author