Veterinary Appreciation Day, Medical Updates and Thank you #VeterinaryLove #Trupanion

How things change. Usually this day is a joyous one for me to blog about but this year it sure isn't.

First, Happy Veterinary Appreciation Day to our Vet, Dr.Lewis (also known as "Dr.Smiley") and the entire staff at DePorre Veterinary Hospital. The love, caring and professionalism they have shown to my boys for 13+ years has been unsurpassed. My husband and I ARE and will ALWAYS be grateful.

This is an old collage but I love it,
so I'm using it again.

Veterinary Appreciation Day™ was created by Trupanion in 2015 (Trupanion happens to be the company we have pet insurance with but this is NOT a sponsored post, nor was I required to blog about it). This special day was founded to recognize veterinary professionals and the wonderful work they do. From the front desk to the exam room, veterinary teams offer compassion, advice and care for our furry family members. Veterinary Appreciation Day offers the animal-loving community the opportunity to come together on a single day to show their appreciation to the compassionate veterinary professionals dedicated to helping their pets live the happiest, healthiest lives possible."

The challenges of caring for our pets during the COVID-19 nightmare has been extra trying for all Veterinary practices. Every day these caring Angels have risked their lives for their love and concern for our pets and we are grateful! 

To DePorre Veterinary Hospital, Trupanion Pet Insurance, and ALL OF YOU....THANK YOU. (We sent a fruit tray to DePorre today to show our appreciation and bought the staff lunch approximately a month ago)there are tons of ways to show gratitude for your Vets!

Thank you Ann so much for this gorgeous graphic

Now, on to the bad part. A quick update:

Our beloved Dakota has cancer. It's on his heart. It all happened suddenly. He was diagnosed on June 8th. He is happy, eating super well and rest assured neither my husband, myself, or  our Vet will have him suffer. We will all know when it is time. We are cherishing each and every day we have left.

Thank you again Ann!

For Cody, he is having a biopsy of his intestines done on June 25th.  Dr.Lewis feels there is a strong chance it is NOT Lymphoma, but we will know for sure after the biopsy.

I want to give a HUGE thank you to Trupanion as well. We have had pet insurance with them for years and I have never called them as much during those years as I have in the past two weeks! They are super efficient, professional and compassionate.(They have even put up with my crying on the phone).

A few of you have reached out to me via email and phone and I THANK YOU! I didn't (and still don't)_ want to post about what is going on because while some find blogging about things like this to be cathartic, I am not one of those people. Maybe down the road I will be, but definitely not now. I felt that all of you deserved an update for showing so much concern and love for my boys, THANK YOU!

I am grateful for both of my boys, whatever will be is in the hands of a power much greater than any of us. Life just completely sucks sometimes. Our beloved Dakota has the biggest heart I have ever seen on a dog and he doesn't deserve something as ugly as cancer sitting on it, and our crazy Cody, we hope with all of our might that he has a number of years left with us. I can't bear the thought of losing them both.

Enough sadness, we are enjoying taking slow, short walks with Dakota, Dakota is enjoying that he can eat whatever he wants and he is eating hamburger whenever he wants it and he is gobbling it up. I kiss that handsome face every day and tell him how much he is loved, and every night Cody sits with me on the couch and I pet him, kiss his crabby face (lol) and tell him how much I love him as well. 

Do me a favor ok? Kiss all of your babies from us!

Much love from Caren, Dakota and Cody

Veterinary Appreciation Day #veterinarylove

Veterinary Appreciation Day™ was created by Trupanion in 2015 (Trupanion happens to be the company we have pet insurance with but this is NOT a sponsored post, nor was I required to blog about it). This special day was founded to recognize veterinary professionals and the wonderful work they do. From the front desk to the exam room, veterinary teams offer compassion, advice and care for our furry family members.

“Our hope is that pet owners will thank their veterinary team throughout the year,” said Darryl Rawlings, Trupanion founder and CEO. “But Veterinary Appreciation Day offers the animal-loving community the opportunity to come together on a single day to show their appreciation to the compassionate veterinary professionals dedicated to helping their pets live the happiest, healthiest lives possible."

This year, Trupanion has  partnered with MightyVet, a non-profit providing continuing education, mentorship and other resources to support veterinarians in their career and well-being. Together, Trupanion and MightyVet are honoring veterinary team members in celebration of this special day.

MY REVIEW  OF DEPORRE ON GOOGLE:

Caren Gittleman

3 reviews

3 weeks ago-Edit

I would never, ever switch to another Veterinary practice. I have been taking my pets to DePorre probably since around 2002 or so? I took my first cat there not long after I first moved to Michigan. Back then we saw Dr.Jules whom we loved! In later years, we started seeing Dr.Lewis, who is our primary "go to" at DePorre. That being said EVERYONE at DePorre is professional, considerate, loving to our pets, knowledgeable and truly caring. Their level of professionalism is unsurpassed. Dr.Lewis is beyond dedicated, never makes me feel rushed, answers all of our questions and is always putting the best interest of our pets first. The reception staff is kind and patient, they are also professionals. I know that working at a Veterinary Practice is NOT easy, and we appreciate all of the love, care and professionalism that is exhibited towards our pets. 

UPDATED MAY 27TH 2019....recently I brought Dakota in and he was diagnosed with hypertension. I was beside myself. I had called in to have some receipts sent to Trupanion and spoke with Kimberly Meldrum on the phone. I was crying about Dakota and the kindness that Kimberly displayed was beyond touching. She listened and TRULY cared. She even followed up with me on the weekend checking to see how Dakota was doing (because he had vomited the first day of taking his meds). THAT is true caring........Kimberly, Dr.Lewis and the staff at DePorre LOVE our pets as if they were their own. That's not easy to find.

Logo Courtesy of Trupanion

I try to make it a point to somehow show appreciation for our Vet throughout the year. Appreciation doesn't always have to be shown by giving gifts,
(but you most certainly can give one!)

Ways to show appreciation:

• arriving for your appointments on time or early
• making sure your cat is in a carrier and your dog is leashed
• showing consideration for the Veterinary staff, their job is NOT easy
• if you have to cancel an appointment, try to cancel in a timely manner, (well, if you have a cat and can't find them, that plan may be shot to hell)
• Show respect for your Veterinarian by respecting their knowledge and trusting their opinion. If you do not trust their opinion or knowledge, find yourself another Vet!
• Send a gift of food for the entire office at the holidays or during the year
• I recently gave some cat toys that Cody isn't using to Kimberly who works at the front desk for her kitties to enjoy.
• Make donations of newspapers, towels etc., as you would for your favorite shelter.

HOW DO YOU SHOW APPRECIATION FOR YOUR VET AND THEIR STAFF?
Let us know below!

Pet owners everywhere can show their appreciation by posting photos and stories about their veterinary team on Twitter and Instagram, including the hashtag #veterinarylove.

I mentioned above that I have had pet insurance with Trupanion since the boys were approximately two years old, this is NOT a sponsored post and I pay a monthly premium for both of my boys

 I AM NOT REQUIRED TO WRITE ABOUT THEM AT ALL. In my opinion, good Veterinary care also involves having pet insurance with a company that you truly believe in. I could not be happier with the experience I have had with Trupanion. A few years ago we had to file a claim for Cody and the response time was quick and everything was processed in a timely manner.

Every time I have ever contacted Trupanion I have been treated with kindness, professionalism, friendliness and caring. In reference to Dakota's recent diagnosis of hypertension one employee in particular went above and beyond. I will be posting about that on Dakota's blog this Thursday. Stay tuned!

Veterinarian Appreciation Day 2018

Today is the day to give your Vet a GIANT THANK YOU for all that they do and to let them know you appreciate them!  You know, a juicy hair-ball COULD be considered a thank you!

In all seriousness,  I DO love my Vet and we are beyond blessed to have him. Mom took my Grandpa Bobo to him many times before we were born, so Mom has been going to him maybe 15 years or so? Our Vet always goes above and beyond for us and he deserves a medal for dealing with my hyper mother. I don't know how he can handle her!

Ironically, Veterinarian Appreciation Day was created by Trupanion back in 2015, (only took us 3 years to realize that) and that is who we have our pet insurance with (this is NOT a sponsored post)! All we want to do is thank our Veterinarian for ALL THAT HE DOES FOR US!!! He is THE BEST!

We hope you love your Vet as much as we do!!!

My Cat Is a "Mischief Manager"

I have had pet insurance with Trupanion for a number of years now and I also subscribe to their emails. Last Thursday they sent a super fun quiz where you answered questions and then received a description of your pet. I answered the questions based on Cody and they could not have been more spot on!!! Here is the result of my quiz:

I used an old meme I had created and I actually don't care that part of Cody's face was cut off because to me, the expression in his eyes says it ALL!!

Here is the description that Trupanion included:

Your pet deserves the mischief manager badge for their resourcefulness and playful nature. 

Your pet is the perfect combination of brains and a sense of humor. Whether they’re snagging your socks or sneaking a taste of your dinner, your pet has an uncanny way of making you laugh.

You know you secretly love their antics and wouldn't have it any other way. You'll never be able to predict the hijinks they'll pull next, so it doesn't hurt to prepare yourself.

That could not be more accurate! Not sure if this will work for you but click here and see if you are able to take the quiz.

FYI: I was not compensated for sharing this. I pay a monthly fee for my pet insurance policy with Trupanion. We could NOT be happier with them! 

We LOVE Our Vet! #ThankAVeterinarian Veterinarian Appreciation Day™

From Cat Chat With Caren and Cody: This post first appeared on June 18th, 2016. Along with today being Father's Day, it is also Veterinarian Appreciation Day! Please enjoy our post from last year!

Hi all it's Cody! Today is a special day!! Today is the day I get to say "Thank You" to my Veterinarian, better known as "Dr.Smiley!"

Yeah, yeah, I know what you are thinking, "How in the world is this guy actually THANKING the Vet for the torture that they put us through?"

A Veterinarian's work is super hard, especially for MY Vet. Above all else, he has to put up with my babbling Mom. I know "Dr.Smiley" is thrilled when my Dad takes Dakota to the Vet and Mom doesn't come, because when I go to the Vet, Mom is there EVERY TIME and NEVER stops talking!

Don't get me wrong my furiends, I don't like being poked and jabbed either, but when I am home and stop to think about it, I know it is all for my own good. Dakota seems to LOVE going to the Vet as evidenced by the photo below (it's an old one, I don't use that carrier anymore, I have a nice new one!).

 I guess what Dakota loves about Dr.Smiley is the fact that he is kind, compassionate and caring, I have to admit, I love that about him too. Even if I don't look like I do!

He always gives my Mom good and honest advice.  There are MANY, MANY times that he has gone above and beyond, returning Mom's frantic calls,  even when he was on vacation.

I don't adore going to the Vet the way Dakota does, but I know it is for my own good, so, I want to take a moment and say THANK YOU "Dr.Smiley" WE LOVE YOU!!!

If you aren't as lucky to have a fabulous Veterinarian as we are, check out the  Four Tips To Find The Perfect Veterinarian . 

Love, Cody

10 Common and Expensive Cat and Dog Injuries and Illnesses

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Infographic created by Trupanion