Doing Good While Doing Time

                                                              
                                                                        

P.E.T.S. Program Trainer, Dorothy Miner

                                                                                                              

          Many prisons in the country have pet programs in which dogs are trained by inmate handlers, working with shelters, rescues, or service dog organizations.  We have two programs at Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institution in Lima.  One group works with dogs brought in by the Humane Society Serving Clark County, and the other works with dogs brought in by Deb’s Dogs.  Both are under the banner of P.E.T.S. (Pets Educated to Survive.)    This piece will focus on the work of the Clark County group, the one in which I’m primarily involved.

 

          In our program, dogs are brought in for an eight-week stay.  At the end of this period, almost every dog is proficient in the requirements of the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test.  They are taught acceptable greeting behavior, to interact properly with people and dogs, to accept physical handling, to heel, walk on a loose leash, come when called, to sit or lie down and stay in place when commanded.  In addition, when the dogs leave the program they are housetrained, crate trained, have learned good manners, and if there are behavior issues these are addressed as well. 

           Handlers keep detailed journals – given to the adopters - of every dog’s progress, including instructions for transferring the dog’s training to the new owner.  All dogs are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped by the shelter prior to going to their new homes.  In other words, they are pretty much perfect pets. 

          Every two weeks a new group of dogs come in, and each one is assigned to a primary handler who will be responsible for its care and training.  Each dog also has a secondary handler, the primary’s cellmate, who can step in when necessary.  These dogs live 24/7 with their handlers.  The men, especially the long-time handlers, rack up significant training experience because of the number of dogs they train, and most of them could be professional trainers.  It’s hard for them to not become attached to their charges, but they know that they are making an otherwise unadoptable dog into someone’s beloved pet. 

          This year a new project was introduced.  The inmate Vietnam Veterans’ group is donating the adoption fees for two dogs per year that will be trained as companions for veterans with post traumatic stress disorder or mild traumatic brain injuries.  Although these are not full-fledged service dogs, the dogs selected for this purpose learn skills in addition to solid and reliable basic obedience.  These dogs stay for a longer period of time than the others to allow for specialized training.
         
          The program just placed the first of these dogs, a mixed breed named Trisha.  Trisha showed special aptitude from the start and her trainer, Willie Maag, took his job seriously, devoting countless hours to perfecting her skills.  When Trisha left the program to live with her new owner she excelled in both on and off-leash obedience work, was able to work under considerable distraction, could be controlled from a distance when necessary, could identify and retrieve several items by name, had learned to position herself to provide a buffer zone between her owner and other people, and had learned a whole repertoire of tricks.  Mr. Maag provided a valuable service for a worthy veteran. 

          Prison Pet programs provide a real service to man and beast.  Dogs who would have little chance of finding a “forever home” because of behavior problems or lack of training become wonderful companions.  The men who work with them have the satisfaction of saving canine lives and enriching the lives of others by creating loving, well-behaved companions.  They also have the companionship of living creatures that depend entirely on them for their care and who shower them with unconditional love and acceptance.  The animals help to provide a much-needed positive experience in a very negative environment.

 

          Prison-trained dogs can be adopted through the Humane Society Serving Clark County or Deb’s Dogs in Lima.  Most of the dogs are photographed and listed on Petfinder.  If you are interested in adopting one of these wonderful animals, contact either group or the author for information. 

 

          If you are looking for a great kitten or cat, the PETS Program has those as well!

 

Dorothy Miner is a long-time dog obedience and tracking instructor, judge of canine events, and author.  She teaches weekly classes for the Allen Correctional Institution’s PETS Program and provides training and consultation under the banner of “Sidekicks” and “Training for Dogs and Their People.”

A Pet for Every Kid

                                         
                                                                         

                                                                               

            

            Every kid should have a pet---a dog, a cat, heck, I don’t care, even a rat.  Just something.  Because nothing teaches a child more about responsibility, about life, and about death, than does a pet.  I was reminded of this several months ago when a nice lady named Sarah sent me a thank you note for a condolence card I had sent her family.

                          Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first condolence card I sent them.  The first followed the death of their beloved Golden Retriever, “Penny.”  The second was for a far greater tragedy, the loss of human family members in an accident just a few weeks later.

   
                        Penny, an elderly twelve year old, came to our office because of a lump her owners discovered.  The mass was about eight inches long, firm and smooth, lying along the bottom of her ribcage on the right side, hidden by the long hairs of the apron most Golden Retrievers wear.
 

                        I had hoped this growth might be a lipoma, a benign, fatty tumor common to many older dogs.  A needle aspirate would reveal fat globules, a good diagnosis, and a happy outcome.  Sadly, this wasn’t the case.

 

                        The syringe immediately filled with bright, red blood.  A feeling of dread came over me as I realized that what should have been a harmless swelling was probably my old nemesis, a hemangiosarcoma.  Hemangiosarcomas are very serious, malignant tumors of blood-bearing tissues.  They usually originate in the spleen, but can spread to the liver, heart, or even blood vessels under the skin.  Such was the case with Penny.

 

                        I discussed options with the family.  A referral to an oncologist could confirm the diagnosis and offer treatment.  Sometimes radical surgery and chemotherapy can buy these patients more time, although it may only be a few weeks.

 
                        The family decided to take Penny home and enjoy what time she had.  Before they left our office, I warned them of what Penny might endure.  A patient with a hemangiosarcoma often goes through bleeding episodes---these tumors actually bleed internally, and the dog will become very weak and pale.  The patient may die during this time, but sometimes will rally, only to go through several of these cycles over the next few days or weeks.
 
                        That night Penny had one of those “bleeds.”  Painful for her family to see her that way, the next day they came to the difficult decision to put her to sleep.
 

                        Surrounded by her family in the back of their van, I proceeded with the euthanasia.  The youngest son was knelt closest to me, and I could see the grief in his eyes as the solution entered Penny’s vein.  I don’t know if this was the young man’s first loss of something he loved, but I do know that he loved that dog.  He took the euthanasia hard, but he took it brave.  Braver than me.

 

                        As euthanasias go, this was a tough one.  It was impossible to separate the sad feelings for Penny from even sadder ones inside me.  A hemangiosarcoma killed my dog, “Chrissy,” and ended a 34 year relationship with my first family of Border Collies that began when I was six years old. 

                        Those dogs were my friends when I was young, saw me through my entire education, the deaths of my parents, and most of my marriage and career.  I witnessed some of them be born, watched some of them die, and somewhere along the way learned that you cannot have one without the other. 

                        A few weeks after Penny died, an unforeseen event struck the family.  In her note, Sarah wrote “Little did we know how our grieving Penny would in some way prepare us for the tragic deaths.”

                        I can’t help but think it is better for a child to experience death, and the emotions associated with it, first with a pet, than with Grandma or Grandpa…or worse.  To experience the feelings of death, such as denial, anger, and acceptance, is an invaluable teacher.  Not that a pet’s death will make subsequent deaths easier, but perhaps, at least, more understandable.

                        We all carry scars from life, but in spite of, and because of them, we carry on.  The death of a pet can teach a child that even though the sadness never completely goes away, the wounds do heal with time.

 

                        So get your kid a pet, and give them an education in life like no other.

 

By Dr. John H. Jones

 

 

Are You Hungry to Learn About Cat Behavior and Aggression?

                                                                                               
                                                                             

                                If you love cats as much as I do, you may occasionally wonder why they  behave the way they do.   I, for one, am intrigued by their many personalities and behaviors that I witness at home and work. Because veterinarians are often asked to address cat behavior issues, I thought I would expound on a few of the more common ones.

                                Most know I have a reputation as the "Diet Doctor."  When I inform cat owners that "Tommy" is tubby, the frequent reply is that their cat is a tyrant when it comes to food.  Fat cats seeking food will literally control their "staff" with obnoxious vocalizations. Some cats tenderly paw their owner's faces or walk across their heads while they sleep, acting as alarm clocks to order up their breakfast.  Other cats will go so far as to wrap their front legs around their humans'  legs whenever they approach the cat's feeding station.

                                To address these annoying behaviors and perceived constant hunger, give your cat consistency in its feeding routine and stick to it! Remember that cats are "grazers." In the wild, they must hunt for food to survive. That survival is based on small, frequent meals of prey. To mimic this, feed your cat more than twice daily, and always at the same times of day.

                                Pre-measure an appropriate 24 hour allotment of food for your cat and divide it into three to five meals.  By giving your cat predictable meal times, it will feel more secure, and even meet you at the feeding station when its biologic tummy clock tells him it is appropriate. Be sure to plan a bedtime feeding for cats that bang on bedroom doors at night or act like morning alarm clocks.

                                Besides food-seeking felines, cat owners  express concern about cat aggression  that can take on three forms.  The first, "misguided aggression,"  occurs when some event stresses a cat. That cat then immediately turns on whatever or whoever is closest, instead of the actual target or source of the stress.  For example, if your cat sees a stray cat outside your window while a fellow housecat is sitting next to him, that housemate may find itself the victim of a sudden attack.  This misguided aggression may then be repeated between those two cats from that point forward.

                                Next is "inter-cat aggression."  This form of aggression is more typical when a new cat is introduced into the household and, either the new cat tries to take over by picking on submissive cats in the home, or pre-existing cats may choose to attack the "newbie." Both misguided and inter-cat aggression can be difficult to impossible to eliminate so you should seek your veterinarian's advice on management of these potentially dangerous situations.

                                Methods to manage these aggressive behaviors may include drug therapy for the aggressor, including fluoxetine (generic Prozac), clomipramine and amitriptyline.  Your veterinarian may suggest that you have the cats do pleasant things together such as dine in the same room at a distance, then gradually decrease the space between the two cats at meal times.  Artificial pheromones (aerosolized cat chemicals) distributed via diffusers, wipes and sprays may be used as well in the environment and on the cats  to create a calming response similar to lavender for humans.

                                Please note these two forms of aggression may not ever be entirely eliminated. Sometimes one cat will need to be re-homed or the cats may need to live separately at all times within the home to keep the peace.

                                The third form of feline aggression occurs when family cats stalk and "sneak attack" their humans.  This behavior stems from a strong , instinctual prey drive... and boredom. Cat owners describe these cats as lying in waiting in concealed places, then pouncing on family members' legs as they pass by.  Some of these cats latch on with teeth as well as toenails, resulting in great bodily harm to their loved ones.

                                Cats carrying out this form of aggression need jobs, indoors or outside.  I recommend hiding their food and toys to make them hunt for a living when indoors. Because this situation is potentially very dangerous to people, spending at least some time outdoors to exercise and release  aggression, would help these cats tremendously.

                              These are only a few cat behaviors that veterinarians are asked to address. Many more exist, including over-grooming and inappropriate eliminations (a problem that warrants an entire column of its own!).  Don't let your cat's behavior ruin quality of life for you or fellow housecats. Seek your veterinarian's advice! The sooner these behaviors are diagnosed and treated, the more likely they are to be resolved.

 

By Dr. Bonnie Jones

Coping With Epilepsy Is Heartbreaking for This Veterinarian

                                                                                

                        Have you ever had the unfortunate experience of witnessing your pet having a seizure?  If so, you know how distressing it can be.  As owners of an epileptic Border Collie, my husband and I empathize with pet owners who face this common emergency. 

 

                        A seizure may be described as an abnormal electrical pattern in the brain that results in a loss of consciousness, collapse, urinary and/or fecal incontinence, uncontrollable muscle contractions, and excessive salivation.  Seizures are categorized as “grand mal” (generalized seizure associated with collapse) or “focal” (minor seizure associated with minimal activity such as lifting one leg and staring blankly).  When a pet has recurring seizures, it is diagnosed as “epileptic.”

 

                        Veterinarians are frequently consulted by upset owners observing their pet’s first seizure.  While this is very frightening to watch, it usually is not an urgent emergency.  Typically, by time the pet owner makes the phone call for help, the pet is already recovering from the seizure.  Upon arrival at the veterinary office, the pet will act and appear normal. 

 

                        Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination and blood tests to rule out metabolic problems such as calcium or blood sugar disturbances.  These tests are likely to be normal, but are necessary for making the diagnosis. Seizures can also be caused by poisons (strychnine or antifreeze), head trauma, and infections, but the cause of the majority of seizures is unknown (“idiopathic epilepsy”).

 

                        Each seizure consists of three stages.  The first stage is called the “aura” because the pet senses something is amiss, acts restless or needy, salivates, vocalizes or demonstrates unusual behavior. Next is the actual seizure event or “ictus” which generally lasts less than five minutes (but will seem like an eternity!).  The final stage is the “post-ictus” or recovery phase when the pet will act disoriented, restless, drunk, blind, and sometimes vicious.  This period is usually five to 15 minutes long. 

 

                        What should you do when your pet seizes?  First, and foremost, remain calm.  Do not put your fingers in your pet’s mouth.  You may be severely bitten.  Cradle or cushion your pet’s head to prevent head injury.  Speak slowly and soothingly to your pet during and after the seizure to minimize stress.

 

                      If your pet is on furniture, carefully move it to the floor and prevent it from thrashing against hard objects.  You may use a large towel or blanket to protect your pet from injury while it is seizing.  Epileptic pets are likely to urinate, defecate, vomit or slobber profusely so have a towel handy and move the pet to an area that cleans up readily (linoleum, bathroom, outdoors).

 

                          Anti-convulsant medication will be prescribed for your pet if it seizes at least once a month, has clusters (greater than one seizure weekly) every six weeks, or experiences a single, long (more than 10 minutes), violent seizure. Phenobarbital is the most commonly prescribed drug to treat epilepsy due to its reliable response and comparatively low toxicity and side effects. 

 

                        Your veterinarian will monitor your pet’s Phenobarbital blood level regularly to assure that your pet is receiving the proper dose.  Timely and proper administration of anticonvulsant medications is a must as epileptic patients become dependent on these drugs to control their seizures. Missed or late doses can result in break-through seizures.  Since epilepsy is treatable, but not curable, the goal of treatment is to lessen the severity and frequency of seizures.

 

                        Owners of epileptic pets should maintain a diary that notes stressful activities preceding seizures, the pet’s activity at the time of onset, date and duration, and any medication administered in response to the seizure.  You should notify your veterinarian when your pet seizes so testing or anti-convulsant dose adjustments may be discussed.

 

                        Certain dog breeds such as Border Collies, German Shepherds, Poodles, Beagles, and Dachsunds are more likely to be epileptic due to the genetic nature of the disease.  Genetic epilepsy is diagnosed when seizures are recurrent and begin between two and five years of age.  On the contrary, pets that begin to seizure in their senior period are likely to be diagnosed with a metabolic disorder or brain tumor. 

 

                        Pets diagnosed with genetic epilepsy should never be bred and a concerted effort should be made to sterilize all carriers of genetic epilepsy.  As the owner of a yet to be controlled epileptic dog, I feel very strongly about not having others experience the heartbreak and imprisonment associated with ownership of a pet with this disease.  I state this with heartfelt determination as my dog, Robbie, has just had her fifth seizure in the last 24 hours as I am writing this column.

By Dr. Bonnie Jones

Myths and Tails By Dorothy Miner

 

 

As long as humans and canines have lived together there have been myths, legends, and old wives’ tales about dogs.  Some are silly, some are scary, and many of them are just plain untrue.   A few that persist to this day should be put to rest.  Here are some of those:  

Don’t start obedience training a dog before 6 months because it will “break his spirit.”  This myth came about because early “old school” training could be very hard on dogs.  Most early training methods involved the use of choke or pinch collars and a lot of yanking on the leash.  Thankfully, training has evolved over the years as we understand more about how dogs learn.  Early puppy training done in a positive fashion and paired with socialization results in happy, confident adult dogs.   And there is a volume of proof that positive training of adult dogs, with a bare minimum of force, is extremely effective.  There’s no need for “broken spirits.”

 

A dog trained with food will only work if food is present, and will not be working to please his master.  Another version:  A dog trained with food will not respect his owner’s authority.   This is pure hooey.  A studied use of treats as reinforcement makes it easier for the dog to learn, and makes the learning process fun and rewarding.  A good trainer knows when and how to start cutting back on the goodies so that the dog will work with or without treats.  The bond of love and trust is what will make your dog respect you. 

A Wagging tail means happy dog.  This one isn’t true, and it can be dangerous.  Dogs wag their tails for many reasons.  A wagging tail usually means a happy dog, but it can also be a warning.  It’s dangerous to assume that every tail-wagging dog is safe to pet.  Unless you are able to interpret a dog’s body language, it’s best to be cautious.

 

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.  Also not true.  Training an older dog may take a bit longer if long-term habits have to be changed, but an older dog can learn very well.  One of my favorite TV shows, Mythbusters, did a segment on this.  They trained a pair of senior Malamutes to do a few behaviors that they did not already know and the dogs learned well and quickly. 

 

Tug of war will make a dog mean.  Not really.  Tug of war can be a great bonding game and stress-buster for many dogs.  I still don’t advise it for dogs who have exhibited aggression towards their owners, though. 

It’s best to let a female dog have a litter before having her spayed.   Again, not true.  Having puppies is not essential for a female dog’s health and well-being.  Actually, spaying at the appropriate age will prevent or lessen the chances for several serious health problems.  A good reason for spaying is that there are way too many puppies and dogs who will die in shelters or on the streets because there aren’t enough homes for all of them.

 

Neutering will make a male dog wimpy and less protective.  This is another myth that can be put to rest.  A male dog neutered at an appropriate age will still be a good protector, assuming he’s of a breed or mix that has a protective nature. 

 

Spaying/Neutering will make a dog fat.  No.  Overfeeding and under-exercising will make your dog fat.  True, a neutered male may need fewer calories than an intact one because he’s not running the streets looking for love, and a spayed female will not need all the extra food required for a nursing mother.   But as long as we control the food intake and provide the necessary exercise, they don’t have to be fat.   

Other myths are fun and harmless.  For instance:  Myth has it that Shih Tzus are incarnations of mischievous household gods, or that they carry the souls of ancient lamas on their search for Nirvana.  It is also said that Pembroke Welsh Corgis used to be harnessed by Welsh fairies to pull their tiny carriages, and that’s why to this day they carry the harness markings on their shoulders.  Other tales are a bit darker, such as the belief that the appearance of a white dog means that someone is about to die. 

 

But other old myths should just be filed away under “Dumb Things We Used to Believe.” 

 
 

Dorothy Miner is a long-time dog obedience and tracking instructor, judge of canine events, and author.  She teaches weekly classes for the Allen Correctional Institution’s PETS Program and provides training and consultation under the banner of “Sidekicks” and “Training for Dogs and Their People.”

Old School Training vs. New School Training - Which is Best?

          A client asked me a thought-provoking question the other day – what did I think of old-fashioned dog training compared to the newer methods.  I had to pause a moment and think about my answer.  “Old School” training involved a lot of correction-based work.  It is sometimes referred to as the “yank and jerk” method, but I think that’s a bit overstated.  “New School” training is much more positive and, in some schools of thought, it is 100% positive and reward based, without physical correction. 

 

          Old school trainers usually employed slip (choke) chain collars or pinch collars.  New school trainers use buckle collars, no-pull harnesses, and head halters.  Some old school trainers fall back on the theory of dominance, with the handler enforcing his or her will on the dog.  Refusals or objections from the dogs were sometimes very harshly corrected.  New school training makes the dog a partner in the process rather than relying on dominance.   

          We trainers who have been around since the dark ages started out with old school methods because that’s what we were taught.  It was effective, but could be hard on the dogs – especially young ones.  Some of us started using food treats because we found this helped dogs learn quickly and with less physical correction.  We rarely admitted to using food, though.  It was a real “no-no” at that time, and food trainers were looked down upon.  The opinion was that dogs trained with food would only work when food was present, and not out of respect for their trainers.  Somehow food trainers managed to get their dogs working well despite the criticism of their peers.  That was when training started to change for the better. 

          For most of my career I have used a blend of both training methods, but the older I get the more I’m sliding closer to the new school methods and farther from old school.  The newer methods are perfect for teaching puppies to respond to commands.  They learn their lessons happily and without fear, and they develop a love of working with their owners.  Using a lure-and-reward method of training is effective for older dogs as well.  It is so much easier for an old lady such as myself to teach a dog to lie down on command using a bit of food as a lure than it is to start wrestling match with the pooch.  I still rely on a few physical corrections when I feel they’re called for, but I use the more positive training methods as much as possible.   

          When my Airedale pup, Fergus, hit five months of age he became a bit of a smart-aleck.  He decided that he would no longer lie down on command unless I actually had a treat in my hand.  When that happened, I had the choice of physically forcing the issue (which I didn’t want to do with him) or trying something else.  I decided that he was going to learn some clicker training. 

 

          Clicker training is fun – the dog quickly learns that the sound of the click means that 1) he did the right thing, and 2) he’s going to get a treat.  The click marks the exact moment the dog did what you asked him to do.  Because he’s never punished or physically corrected for not doing what was asked, he’s not afraid to work.  And because he really, really, REALLY wants that treat, he’ll try his hardest to figure out what will get you to give it to him.  And it isn’t too difficult to wean a dog from expecting a treat for every little thing once he’s learned a skill.  Fergus responds well to this method, and I’ve used it for other behaviors as well.  To me the biggest challenge of this sort of training is the amount of patience required. 

          I probably will never completely abandon all of the old-school training methods, but I love that I can teach a dog without it being a battle of wills.  One of the saddest things you can see is a dog that is afraid to make a mistake.  It cripples the learning process.  Using more positive and dog-friendly training methods won’t do this.  It will produce a dog that is eager to work and eager to learn new things.

          We’re never too old (dogs or humans) to learn new things!

 

Dorothy Miner is a long-time dog obedience and tracking instructor, judge of canine events, and author.  She teaches weekly classes for the Allen Correctional Institution’s PETS Program and provides training and consultation under the banner of “Sidekicks” and “Training for Dogs and Their People.”

The Eruptible Bella St. Helens

                                                               

                                                                     

           
             As the PBS television series, "Downton Abbey", nears the end of its six- season run, I can't help but think back to another time spent vicariously in the same county of Yorkshire, England. In 1937, only eleven years after Downton's conclusion, my veterinary and literary hero, James Herriot, began practice there.

             I first read his "All Creatures Great and Small" series of books as a teenager, often before school, and almost always while flung back in my dad's favorite recliner. The images painted by his words as he described the beautiful English countryside, and the many colorful characters he encountered, both human and animal, were fuel to my fire to become a veterinarian like him. I so much wanted to be part of that world.   

            One of his patients was an overweight, overindulged Pekingese named Tricki Woo. Tricki was owned by a wealthy widow, Mrs. Pumphrey, herself a holdover from the Downton era. Together they lived in a large, fancy house with servants and the whole nine yards.

            Tricki often suffered from impacted anal glands, a condition Mrs. Pumphrey called "flop-bott." James repeatedly blamed this on Tricki's dietary lifestyle which consisted of everything except proper dog food. Many pages of the books were devoted to the fine line James traversed as he tried to be an advocate for Tricki's health, whilst not offending Mrs. Pumphrey, who was renowned for her generous hospitality during home visits. That, and the fact that Mrs. Pumphrey had once told him that Tricki referred to him as "Uncle Herriot."

            As a fledgling student, I didn't realize what an integral part of veterinary practice this balancing act  is. Seventy-five years and a new century later, that aspect of veterinary medicine really hasn't changed much.

            I, too, have a patient who experiences recurrent bouts of "flop-bott," although she is not nearly as overweight, nor as overindulged as Tricki. A delightful Maltese named Bella, she lives with a very nice family in Van Wert who love her dearly. I see her several times a year, usually accompanied by Susan and her son, Nicholas, for problems concerning Belle's skin, ears, and those aforementioned anal glands. This triad of ailments is characteristic of a dog with a food allergy.

            When Bella sticks to her special diet she does pretty well at keeping her symptoms at bay. It's the "sticking" part that's the problem, however.

            Like many food allergic dogs, Bella's Achilles heel is chicken. She has a weakness for it, and according to Susan, Bella's father has a weakness for giving it to her. Whenever she has a skin flare-up, I only have to mention the word "chicken" and Susan gives me a confessional sheepish look. Bella is awfully cute, though, and it would be difficult to deny her anything, including the dreaded chicken. But owners of food allergic pets must be steadfast and resolute. Do not look at those adorable, begging eyes. Put them in another room at mealtime if you must.

            A few months back, Bella developed a fairly large sebaceous cyst on her back. When it began to open and drain, Susan and Nicholas  brought her to be checked. As I entered the exam room and saw the lesion, which was not unlike a volcano spewing its contents, I exclaimed, "Oh my God! She looks like Mt. Vesuvius!"  Nicholas quickly added a much better moniker. "Bella St. Helens!"

            Instantly I became a little jealous. I always wanted a cool nickname like that. I think Bella kind of likes it, too. She is quite a character.

            Our chicken issue aside, working with Bella St. Helens and her family has provided some of my most cherished moments as a veterinarian. During a recent visit, Susan mentioned that while getting Bella ready for her appointment, she inadvertently told her she was going to see "Uncle John" instead of "Dr. John." And just like that, no time- travel machine necessary, I was back in Yorkshire with James and Tricki Woo, and all the wonderful memories from those magnificent books.

            Oh, I would have become a veterinarian with or without James Herriot, but without him I don't think I would have been able to fully appreciate my clients, and enjoy my patients as much as I have. I am honored to be your veterinarian, Bella. I must admit, though, I'm honored even more to be considered your uncle. Thank you, Susan, for the ultimate compliment.

 

By Dr. John H. Jones