HELOISE: Vet’s wife explains reasons for decisions

Dear Readers: Here is a reader response to a previous column about finding a new veterinarian:

“Dear Heloise: My husband has been a practicing veterinarian for 35 years. We highly discourage owners from being with their pets as they come out of surgery. The pet sees the owner and tries to move around and get to him or her long before it is able. The pet also whines and cries and is more upset once the owner leaves than if it hadn’t seen the owner. It’s much better for the owner to call us a couple of hours after surgery to check on the pet, then pick the pet up when it is fully awake.

“Also, my husband rarely makes house calls. It is impossible to always bring all of the right things needed to treat the pet. We much prefer having the pet brought to us, where we can carry it into the building on a stretcher if necessary. Then we have our entire pharmacy, blood machines and X-rays to get to work on solving the problem.

“So don’t hold it against the vet if he says no to making a house call. We have good reasons for saying so. We have the health and well-being of your pet always in mind.”

Marilyn, Middletown, Ohio”

Marilyn, your letter explains well why many vets can or cannot make a “pet house call,” and my readers will now understand. Thank you for enlightening us! Woof, woof.

Heloise

Dear Readers: Pam Schuman of Ventura, Calif., sent in a photo of two bearded collies, Chad and Nina, who are certified therapy dogs, sitting on the floor watching a young boy sitting on a big pillow and reading a book.

To see them, visit www.Heloise.com.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: When reading your column about funny cell-phone stories, the one about the man whose horse crunched his phone because he sat it on a fence post was hilarious! It reminded me of an incident I had with guests. We were all taking naps. My terrier, Alf, joined one of my friends in her bed, then came into my room and jumped on my bed. I kept hearing a clicking noise, and realized it was coming from Alf’s mouth. I opened his mouth, and out fell my friend’s hearing aid. I got it just in time. Suppose he had swallowed it!

My guest had taken it out and put it on the night table when she lay down. We had a real good laugh over that for the rest of the week, and still do when we think about it today.

Penny in Durham, N.C.

Dear Heloise: I use the vinegar from cleaning my coffeepot to clean my dog’s water dish or the birdbath. Hot vinegar works really well, and I don’t waste energy heating vinegar for both tasks.

Margaret Schultz, Green Lake, Wis.

Dear Heloise: When I send cookies in the mail, I pack them in cookie tins and pour miniature marshmallows in between to protect against breakage and help keep them fresh. I use packing tape to seal the tin.

Regina in Fort Worth, Texas

King Features Syndicate