The Doctor is In!

That’s something I’ve never been able to comprehend. Why take in an animal and either ditch it on the side of the road or just desert it? The poor thing doesn’t know what it’s done wrong. I understand the elderly or if there’s been a change in situation but those people who underestimate the work involved or think a dog will fix a relationship are the ones that annoy me. Rant over.

Oh right? I wouldn’t know, we’re not really talking. Nice and funny? That doesn’t sound like Blaine. Sure you got the right person there? After four years the city still confuses me, you’re not alone! Yeah I’m getting there, thanks for asking.

It's definitely not easy, that's for sure!  But it's really rewarding to be able to help them-- nothing's better than that look you get from an animal after you made it feel better.  Or the owners' look of relief when you tell them it's going to be okay.  The hardest part, I think, is when you lose them from something preventable-- like if the owner had noticed the signs sooner, we could have treated it and their pet would be fine, but it's gone to a point where the treatment is really expensive, and some owners just can't afford it.  Then it's heartbreaking for everyone. 

I think that's one of the reasons I don't have dogs.  They swallow the strangest things-- I don't know I'd even think to look for half of them!  And I'd end up being a minimalist about toys because I'd be afraid they'd rip them up and swallow them.

I think people don't realize how much work animals are.  They get the bonding parts-- someone to love you and be around you.  And some people see a way to make extra money.  But there's training and psychology and healthcare, and it's not as easy as it looks, and so they give up.  I mean, at least they surrender them to the shelter mostly, instead of just abandoning them.  It still makes me sad though, too.

At least they’ll have had the best start in life with you, that’s something to take from it. Will you be taking in any more animals after they’re gone? Also, I hope you’re doing well, I know we don’t speak much but I do love hearing from you and wish you all the best of course. So yes, I hope you’re well!

 Your welcome!  And things at the hospital are good-- yeah,  veterinary hospital, and technically we're the vets.  It's less of a mouthful to say, that's for sure!  But pretty normal stuff.  The other day a dog came in that had tried to swallow a very large stick, but he'd only half-succeeded, poor thing!  But he's fine and home safe now, so hopefully he learned a valuable lesson.

That's really nice of you to say, thanks!  I definitely hope I helped.  And yes, I'm a constant in the foster rotation, so I'll probably get a new cat or two within a month.  I'm crossing my fingers for a slow autumn, but by the holidays the shelter always gets a bump in drop-offs, so I guess we'll see!

Um, okay.  I was only trying to help, after all.  And I don't think I'm dull, honestly, just not much of a drinker.  Maybe you're just used to a different type of person?  Where are you from?

Baha, no I couldn’t imagine at all. But I need something better than my oxfords because I don’t think they can take much more. I’m about to resign to wearing tennis shoes to work and then changing when I get there….actually the more I think about it, that’s definitely what I should be doing.  

I think that sounds like it would be pretty neat, honestly, but I won't wish it on you if you don't like it.  Just remember that cats are lovable in all forms.

I really like Princess and the Frog from the new movies if that makes up for it! Toy Story is a masterpiece honestly. I remember watching Ariel all the time as a kid.

They are. Baloo is my best friend, i love him. Thank you! Isn’t he the cutest?

Probably yeah! Haha! I promise to never use my powers for Evil!

He was pretty cute-- we put his arms in at angles so it looked like he was disco-ing.  What about your snowmen?  Did they come out right?  Any advice for a novice?

The Princess and the Frog is such a great movie!  The music, and the villain, and Ray!  Ray was the best!  And Tiana was an amazing princess-- she might be my number two, after Ariel.  And Toy Story is the first time I think I've seen a sequel improve upon the original.  Like, I loved Toy Story, but Toy Story 2 was amazing, and Toy Story 3?  I was just squealing!  Ariel is amazing, to me-- she's basically an anthropologist, and so eager and adventurous.  I wanted to be just like her when I was little.  And Eric's kingdom had everything-- boating and carriage rides and it was right next to the ocean.  And he was so nice to Ariel, even before he knew who she was!  I loved it.

That's great.  I'm such a cat person, so I definitely get it.  And he is the cutest thing ever.  Is he a rescue, or did you buy him?

I’m really pleased to hear that and yes me too. Oh they’re your kitties aren’t they? I admire what you do, I couldn’t give them back. I would get too attached! Yes they deserve good homes, that’s brilliant news!

It's important to follow your dreams, and support is good especially if it's a lot of hard work.  I'm sure you're doing your best.

Good, that’s a good goal. Have any new fosters in line yet?

I know, I know!  I'm so behind!  You'd think I'd be better at being a grown-up by now!

They definitely say thanks!  I'm sure they'll do great.  They're really sweet, so whoever adopts them will absolutely love them.  As for me, I guess in a perfect world I'd hope I wouldn't get any new cats, but realistically I know it's just a matter of time.

That’s on your to-do list the minute Selina and Kyle move out. 

I've unpacked most of my stuff-- there's just some knick knacks and such that are still waiting for a home, and when the cats decided they made fun toys, I couldn't bring myself to take them away.  Better the boxes than my couch, right?

As for me, I'm sure I'll find a new Furry Friend soon!  Hopefully one that is less interested in tearing apart my moving boxes!

You as well Tina. What a lovely way to spent night.

They can be, but not always, I hope.  Sometimes I think this city is just so busy, people forget other people have feelings too, you know?  I work as a vet at the animal hospital down the street.  Night shift has a lot of emergency work, so people are worried and scared on top of whatever stress came from the daytime.  It can be rough.

What about you? Where are you from? And don’t give up on that cooking!!

Oh, wow!  I think it's great that there are Pride events still going on, although it'd be nice if they were closer-- I missed the one here this year, but they always look like so much fun!  So did you go to the one in Ohio or Upstate?

I know what you mean. I love animals. I never had a pet as a kid and Baloo has become my best friend now, he’s too precious to me. Haha no secret society i promise! The Starbucks secret menu well… they had to tell me, so i can make the drinks when people happen to ask for them. And i studied about flowers so there’s that mystery solved too. 😆

Exactly!  The snow is a lot heavier than the TV makes it look, too!  I was exhausted the first time I tried, and only made a two-ball snowman instead of three!

Oh, that's okay.  I totally understand.  I love most Disney movies, honestly-- the music is great, and there's a lot of diversity to be found in the storylines in the different "ages".  I am totally with you on Pixar-- I cried during the Toy Story movies, and Merida was beautiful.  I think my favorite Disney Princess is probably Ariel though.

Exactly.  Pets always leave a great impression on kids, in my experience-- they're best friends that love you forever.  Baloo sounds like a great name, and a great pet!  He's so cute!

That sounds like something someone in a Secret Society would say, but I'll believe you because you seem like a good person, and I feel like you wouldn't use your powers for Evil. 

Well, I’m glad you had fun, even with the bad weather.  So are you actually from Canada, or just Upstate?  I’ve never been further than Niagra Falls, honestly, but I hear good things!