Visiting Veterinarian : All Creatures Great and Small Labor Day Awards
By Michelle Gerhard Jasny V.M.D.
Published: August 28, 2008
It's Dr. Jasny's Sometimes Annual All Creatures Great and Small Labor Day Awards. Coming so soon after the Ag Fair, I've decided to add a few of my own homegrown prizes.
The Tempura-Hamburger-Cotton Candy-Fried Dough-Why-Did-I-Eat-That Category opens with Sweet Tooth prizes. Third, to Ben the Pomeranian, who binged on chocolate chunk ice cream. Second, to miniature poodle Ceilidh, who gorged on chocolate-covered almonds, then threw them up all over my floor and parking lot. First, to Augie, the Bernese Mountain Dog who found the Easter candy, eating several pounds of M&Ms and candy-coated eggs. In the Go-To-A-Meeting Category for inappropriate ingestion of prescription drugs: third, to Stormy who ate all her pain pills at once; second, to Lula for my 6 am wake-up call when this teensy Coton puppy ate a Tylenol PM for breakfast. First place, to Willa who spent days in detox after chewing a potentially lethal amount of pain medication. It-Musta-Been-Something-I-Ate Award to Briquette, who got "garbage intoxication" from chowing something nasty on the beach. Katie gets the Magic Mushroom Award. We were afraid the wild berries she ate were poisonous hallucinogenic jimsonweed. Luckily, they were actually non-toxic Carolina Horse Nettle.
The Woodsman Award, to Bodhi, who climbed (and got stuck in) a tree not long after recovering from a broken leg. The Agility Award, to Chappy, who ran into a tree while chasing turkeys at top speed. We hope the nerve damage is resolving. The Antique Tractor Pull Prize for elderly pets who keep chugging along goes to Simon, Goober, Mai Mai, Dogfish, Boomer, Claudette, Spooky, Hector, Willow, Sweetie Pie, Miss Madrigal, Lily, Dewy, Misty, Bilbo, Thorin, Bee, Sam, Fog, and more. The Skillet Throw Awards go to a few people I wanted to hit over the head with a heavy cast iron pan. They will remain nameless.
Now for my Dog Show. Sporting Group: For Labradors, second, to Phoebe whose chronic bloat was cured by surgery; first, to Dozer who wags his tail through epilepsy, arthritis, and multiple myeloma. In golden retrievers, third to Sebastian for a scrotal hot spot (ouch); second, to Milly, for the worst skin allergies ever. First, to Mazie. Adopted as an adult, her new owner discovered she had heartworm infection, among other problems. She survived treatment and loves her new home. Honey, a mixed breed adult rescue, also arrived with heartworm disease...and a nervous disposition. She and her mom get the Song in My Heart prize for coming through these difficult months so beautifully, both physically and emotionally.
Hound Group: Third, to greyhounds Expedition and Nigel for exemplary dental care. Second, to beagles Emma and Maggie, two sisters adopted by two brothers. First, to greyhound Vikki, who survived stress-induced hyperthermia and had a tough year, losing friends Chloe Marie and Princess. Working Group: Second, to Patches, the boxer, the only big dog in her house, cohabiting peacefully with a Maltese, a bichon, a Chihuahua, and three kids. First place, to Judy, recovering from mast cell cancer. Terrier Group: Teddie gets the blue for most doted-on Cairn. Toy Group: Third, to Indy, the Cavalier King Charles who had an emergency C-section. We were delighted to see one of her pups later with his new owner. Second, to Emily, another Coton, for most pampered puppy. First, to Izzy, the Pekinese adult rescue who arrived with recurrent demodectic mange. Several months of medication have eliminated the mites, we hope for good. Non-Sporting Group: the Bichon Frise, blue ribbon to Bert whose treatment for hyperadrenocorticism went too far, causing the opposite condition. The French bulldog blue, to Lily who stoically endured multiple salivary gland abscesses. Herding Group: For German shepherd puppies, third, to Leo, second, to Milo. First, to Sam who put up with our hysterical attempts involving pipe insulation, cotton, glue, and tape, to make his ears stand up. For adults, Zelda gets first. Another rescue dog, her family nursed her through mammary cancer and now degenerative myelopathy. Mixed Breed Group: Honorable mention to Otis, the puggle, for trying so hard on his diet. Third, to Menemsha, the Wheaten/Lab cross with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Seconds, to golden doodles Jack, for his grapefruit-sized lipoma, and Clementine, for her warts, especially the one hanging off the end of her tongue. Blue ribbon, to Heffer, the Golden/Lab cross diagnosed with Addison's disease while his family was on vacation. Kudos to Grandma for excellent caretaking.
Opening the field to cats as well as dogs, we have Please Don't Bite or Scratch The Judge ribbons for Skyler , Tessie, Daisy Mae, Sydney, Casey, Justine, Mo, Winston, Claudia, and the Pond View barn cats. Honorable Mention to Rufus. He behaved himself genteelly, but brought his own personal physician along, who questioned my diagnosis rather pointedly. No Bribing The Judge ribbons go with Honorable Mention to Tofu, Parfait, and Brulee whose owner brought the yummiest Christmas treats. Third, to Riley and Lightning whose owner thoughtfully offered to make whole-wheat pizza and low-glycemic pasta at his restaurant for my carb-conscious family. Second, to Tank for the bracelets. First, to the owner of Boo Boo, Britt, and Luna for her extraordinarily generous gift last year. Special Nature Awards to Charlotte and Phoebe whose owner helped evict the yellow jackets that chased Molly into the office, and a Special Nurture Award to Oliver, whose nurse owner was a reassuring presence as we treated our stings. Thank you all.
The Quilt and Comforter Awards go to all the Island animals we don't have room to mention. You make up the very fabric of Vineyard Life, a unique and beautiful patchwork. Finally, shadows lengthen. The rides shut down. The hall closes. For all who have passed on: Coco, Caley, Oreo, Riley, Jackson, Ozzy, Tashtega, Rhodry, Thor, Casey, Luigi, Sadie, Yuba, Rocky, Chappy, Ebony, Molly, Feather, Moosie, Kazamir, Stars, Buster, Rolly, Violet, Buttercup, Skitty, Mumu, Little Babe, Annie, Dempsey, Lilo, Al, Pearlsie, Tashi, The Girl, Misty, Pistol, Kitty, Simon, Bo, Jaspurr, Chewy, Morgan, Zino, Delilah, Mew, Keeper, Sha-sha, Leo, Lars, Rolly, Annie, Gussie, Spooky, Cleo, Zelda, Coco Baby, Magic, and many more. Sing it softly. Won't you come and take me home? I've been too long at the fair.
