Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul (42 page)

“I don’t. What are you talking about?” I asked.

“Annie,” she said. “She died. I think Robert killed her.”

“No,” another breeder chimed in. “It wasn’t Robert. It was James. Don’t you remember? He was having an affair with Annie’s sister’s neighbor . . .”

I left my fellow bird lovers while they discussed their favorite soap opera and walked to Taco’s cage. Now it was clear that one of his owners had watched that same soap opera, and Taco had heard it, too. He cocked his head to one side, looked at me and said clearly, “Is Taco hungry? Do you want me to scratch your head?” The mystery of Annie finally solved, he was ready to discuss something else.

Today, Taco has a mate, another orange-winged Amazon, named Bell. When they had their first baby, we had to name her . . . Annie.

Judy Doyle

A Vet’s Wages

As a practicing veterinarian, one of the things you learn to accept is that most of your patients cannot comprehend what you are doing for them. Whether it be routine vaccinations or emergency treatment, most of them associate a visit to the vet with some feelings of apprehension or discomfort. In retrospect, I can think of numerous animals both large and small whose lives I have saved or at least relieved of a serious illness or painful injury. Most of them would not hesitate to bite, kick or gore their benefactor should the opportunity arise. To be sure, some seem to understand that you are helping them. But rarely does an animal come along showing complete trust and obvious gratitude for your efforts.

Several years ago on a warm autumn afternoon, an elderly farmer brought his injured black Labrador to our clinic. The farmer had been mowing weeds with a tractor mower and his dog had jumped in front of the sickle bar. Before he could stop the machine, the dog became entangled in the sickle and one hind leg was badly injured.

We carried him from the back of his owner’s pickup into the clinic and laid him on the examination table. He was already weakened from shock and loss of blood, but he placidly licked his hurt leg. A brief examination showed the limb could not be saved. I explained to the owner that we would have to amputate the leg to save the dog’s life. He agreed we should do whatever was necessary. I gave the animal a blood transfusion, plus injections for pain and shock, and scheduled him for surgery the next morning. He accepted these procedures calmly, without the slightest whimper or display of emotion.

He came through the surgery in good shape, and by the following morning was hopping about on three legs. For the next few mornings, I took him for brief walks on the clinic lawn and helped him balance himself when he needed it. He was an ideal patient and always seemed to appreciate my help. Later, when I removed the stitches from his leg, he watched undisturbed, with no whimpers and no need for a muzzle.

I had only thought of him as being a very good patient and not really different from other dogs I had treated, until the day he was scheduled to go home. After we put him into the back of his owner’s pickup, the farmer and I visited for a few minutes about the dog’s condition. As I turned to go back into the clinic, Blackie began whining and attempted to jump from the truck and follow me. His owner, Mr. Burson, remarked, “You know, I believe he’s taken up with you and wants to stay here.” I was surprised, but all I said was, “Yes, it seems he has, but he’ll soon forget me when he gets home.” I knew the dog would be treated well, as Mr. Burson was a kindly man who took good care of his animals.

It was nearly a year later when I was called to the Burson farm to deliver a calf. I parked my truck and was busy getting out equipment, when around the corner of the barn bounded a large black dog. He barked loudly and the hair bristled on the back of his neck and shoulders. It was Blackie. As he came running up on his three legs, he suddenly stopped dead still, about six or eight feet away.

Gazing directly at me, Blackie slowly moved forward, wagging his tail. Then he took one of my hands gently in his mouth and just held it, all the while looking up into my face. As he did this, he made little whimpering noises.

I was overwhelmed and felt a lump rise in my throat. Patting him on the head, I talked to him briefly in soothing tones. He gave me a final warm-eyed look and a parting bark, then went brusquely about his business of inspecting the tires of my truck.

In the long line of animals that a vet treats in the course of his career, there are a few who distinctly stand out. To me, Blackie will always be “the one that remembered.”

George Baker, D.V.M.

More Chicken Soup?

Many of the stories and poems you have read in this book were submitted by readers like you who had read earlier
Chicken Soup for the Soul
books. We publish at least five or six
Chicken Soup for the Soul
books every year. We invite you to contribute a story to one of these future volumes.

Stories may be up to 1,200 words and must uplift or inspire. You may submit an original piece or something you clip out of the local newspaper, a magazine, a church bulletin or a company newsletter. It could also be your favorite quotation you’ve put on your refrigerator door or a personal experience that has touched you deeply.

To obtain a copy of our submission guidelines and a listing of upcoming
Chicken Soup
books, please write, fax or check one of our Web sites.

Chicken Soup for the Soul
P.O. Box 30880 • Santa Barbara, CA 93130
fax: 805-563-2945
To e-mail or visit our Web sites:
www.chickensoup.com
www.clubchickensoup.com

Just send a copy of your stories and other pieces to any of the above addresses.

We will be sure that both you and the author are credited for your submission.

For information about speaking engagements, other books, audiotapes, workshops and training programs, please contact any of the authors directly.

Pet Lovers’ Organizations

In an effort to return just a portion of the abundant gifts that pets give so freely to us, part of the proceeds from
Chicken Soup for the Pet
Lover’s Soul
will be donated to the following two organizations that reach more than 200 charities benefiting homeless or abuse pets.

The American Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals

Founded in 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) aims to prevent cruelty and alleviate the pain, fear and suffering of animals. Currently, 425,000 members, individuals and corporations enable the ASPCA to provide local and national programs that assist thousands of animals nationwide.

The ASPCA’s national programs include: the animal poison control center; humane education; companion animal services; and the national shelter outreach program. In the New York area, the ASPCA provides low-cost veterinary care, animal placement programs including adoptions and foster care, grief counseling, and humane law enforcement.

For membership or donation information, contact the Development Office, ASPCA, 424 E. 92nd St., New York, NY 10128, or call 212-876-7700, ext. 4500.

PETsMART
^®
Charities

Since 1987, PETsMART has donated over $2.5 million to local and national animal charities in an effort to help end pet overpopulation and promote responsible pet ownership. In 1994, the company formed PETsMART Charities, a non-profit organization to target programs that reach the root causes of pet overpopulation.

It is estimated that over 17 million companion animals are euthanized each year in the United States alone. To that end, PETsMART Charities has established a grant and sponsorship program to fund organizations that share in the mission to end needless pet euthanasia. Primarily, the funding is granted to programs that assist in innovative and assertive adoption and spay/neuter programs, humane education and proper obedience training.

For more information or to make a donation contact: PETsMART Charities, 19601 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027. Phone: 602-580-6100. Fax: 602-580-6527.

The following organizations, listed alphabetically, are strongly
recommended as ones that balance care, compassion and competence
as they work to help pets and people live happier, healthier lives.
Contact them directly for more information and support them with
your time or money.

Actors and Others for Animals

Actor Richard Basehart and his wife, Diana, founded Actors and Others for Animals in 1971 to raise public awareness about cruelty to animals. Rallying the support of colleagues, including Doris Day and Luci Arnaz, they used their celebrity status to draw attention to the plight of helpless animals.

Today, Actors and Others for Animals remains a force against animal cruelty worldwide. Supported by donations, the non-profit organization provides disaster relief, education programs, help-line referrals and emergency veterinary subsidies.

For membership or donation information contact: Actors and Others for Animals, P.O. Box 33473, Granada Hills, CA 91394. Phone: 818-386-5870.

Alley Cat Allies

Alley Cat Allies (ACA), the National Feral Cat Network, is a clearinghouse for information on non-lethal feral cat population control. Feral cats are domestic cats and their offspring that have reverted to a wild state. ACA offers guidelines on the proper procedures of managing feral cat colonies, conducts regional training workshops, and publishes an award-winning quarterly newsletter,
Alley Cat Action.

For membership or donation information contact: Alley Cat Allies, P.O. Box 397, Mt. Rainier, MD 20712. Phone: 301-229-7890. E-mail: all-eycatfgigc.apc.org. Web site:
http://www.alleycat.org
.

The American Humane Association

Since 1877, the American Humane Association (AHA) has been the only national organization serving as an umbrella organization for member animal shelters. A leader in identifying and preventing animal abuse and neglect, AHA relies on individual donations for support. AHA’s animal protection programs include: advocacy to improve welfare of pets; promoting adoptions while curbing overpopulation; supporting shelters with training, grants and educational materials; emergency animal relief during natural disasters; legislation to protect pets, wildlife and lab animals; and protecting animal actors in film and TV productions. AHA also has a child protection division.

If you know a kid, age six to thirteen, who has shown extraordinary kindness to animals, contact us about our annual
Be Kind To
Animals Kids Contest.
For information or to make a donation contact: American Humane Association, 63 Inverness Dr. East, Englewood, CO 80112. Phone: 303-792-9900. Fax: 303-792-5333. Web site:
http//www.americanhumane.org
.

American Veterinary Medical Association

Established in 1863, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is the largest veterinary organization in the world with more than 60,000 member veterinarians. For thousands of years, animals have been an essential part of the human experience. AVMA members contribute to the health and well-being of animals and people through their work in clinical practice, public health, regulatory agencies, private industry, uniformed services and research.

As part of its tradition of service, the AVMA recognizes the importance of the human-animal bond and the veterinarian’s role in preserving and strengthening relationships between people and animals. An integral part of protecting these relationships is concern for animal welfare. The AVMA endorses and promotes animal welfare as official policy, together with the responsible use of animals for food, fiber and research conducted to benefit animals and people.

For more information about the AVMA, opportunities in veterinary medicine and pet care, visit our Web site at
www.avma.org
.

American Veterinary Medical Foundation

When our pets are healthy and happy, we are delighted. When they’re sick, we’re upset. It’s no wonder we care so much about their well-being.

So does the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF). Formed in 1963 by the AVMA, this national 501(c)3 non-profit organization works to advance the health and wellness of all species through the funding of animal disaster relief, health studies, veterinary education and the promotion of the human-animal bond.

To find out how you can strengthen the human-animal bond or make a donation, contact: the AVMA or AVMF, 1931 N. Meacham Rd., Ste. 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Web site:
www.avma.org/avmf.
E-mail: [email protected].

The Delta Society
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The Delta Society promotes animals helping people improve their health, independence and quality of life. Its National Service Dog Center helps people with disabilities to achieve greater independence with service dogs. Their People & Pets program teaches individuals and families how companion animals can improve health and well-being in everyday life. They also publish
Anthrozoös,
a scientific journal.

For membership or donation information contact: The Delta Society, 289 Perimeter Rd. East, Renton, WA 98055. Voice mail: 800-869-6898. (TDD): 800-809-2714. E-mail: [email protected]. com. Web site:
http://www.deltasociety.org
.

The Doris Day Animal League

Formed in 1987, the Doris Day Animal League is a non-profit, national citizen’s lobbying organization that focuses on issues involving the care and humane treatment of animals. The League provides summaries of animal protection issues and encourages its 365,000 members to contact their elected officials. The League targets issues including the regulation and/or banning of “puppy mill” operations, the reduction of pet overpopulation, and the link between violence toward animals and violence directed at other humans.