It’s just the start of the work day but I’m really missing my dog. It’s been a busy week and he and I haven’t had as much time as usual for our adventures. I was without a dog for almost two years before I was ready to find my next best friend. I really wanted to get a puppy, and some day I will, but right now with my work schedule and commitments it wouldn’t be fair to either of us. So, I went to the Oregon Humane Society hoping to find a 35-40 pound long haired border collie mix. I’ve had them before and energy-wise at least (I think they’re smarter than I am) it’s a good match. Instead, I ended up with Webster, a 60 pound short haired black dog of unknown parentage but endless energy and enthusiasm.
Webster had almost every bad house manner a dog can have-jumping on people, using the furniture as a launching pad from one thing to the next, counter surfing, and relentlessly harassing my three cats. He was afraid of the car, didn’t know how to walk on a leash and literally screamed like he was being tortured in the early parts of being kennel trained. There were moments in those early days when I asked myself what I had done. When I made the decision to adopt Webster I made the commitment to him to see the two of us through the trying and difficult times together and build a lifelong relationship. And what a job we have done.
After life in 2 different shelters Webster has been mine for almost two years. I’m very proud of my Webster, Webbie, Web and of myself for helping him realize the incredible dog that he is. His house manners are impeccable, the car is his very favorite place (adventures!) and he puts himself to bed in his kennel at 10PM almost every night. He knows the commands I have taught him and walks perfectly on the leash as long as there are no squirrels in sight (then forget it). He goes to doggie day care or comes to the office with me during the work week. In the evening he’s my running buddy, my cycling partner or my walking companion. Sometimes we go for ice-cream. Every weekend day we’re up early, out and about exploring and enjoying the outdoors. His zest, enthusiasm and delight for anything and everything is as good for me as it is for him. I’m crazy about my dog and I think he feels the same. The cats still aren’t really so sure.
Hi everyone! I just wanted to share my story about Banfield. I bought my Pug Snottie (if you ever met her, you’d know why why!) about 2 1/2 years ago. When I took her home from the pet store, she seemed like a healthy and energetic puppy. Unfortunately that just wasn’t the case. She started to get get sick from almost the second we got her home. I called the pet store, and they told me that she had a 10 day “warranty” and that if she needed any kind of medical care I should take her to their vet. Well I called and made an appt. After the vet looked at her, he told me that she had such a severe case of Kennel Cough, that she probably wasn’t going to make it and that I should think about “putting her down”. This just wasn’t an option. I was so scared and I didn’t know what to do. Then my brother told me about Banfield. I had never heard of it, until he first mentioned it. I figured, what the hell and gave them a call. Two and a half years later, I’m glad I made that phone call.
I called Banfield and was given an appointment that same day. I knew that from the moment that I walked in, that Banfield was different. From the receptionist who checked us in, to the nurse who collected all of our info, to Dr. Keo who saw Snottie it was an experience that I will never forget. I remember being so scared. I had this lettle Pug (she was only 3 pounds!) and wondering what she was going to think of me if I let her die. I was also thinking what was I going to think of myself if I let that happen? But then I met Dr. Keo. After her through exam, he said there is no reason that Snottie should have to be “put down”, and with an agressive treatment plan she’ll be up and into things in no time! What a relief!
After we talked about Snottie, I told Dr. Keo about what the other vet said and did, and he said “we do things a little differently here at Banfield”. After meeting Dr. Keo and his staff, I was sold. To this day, I will not let ANY other vet or clinic treat Snottie unless it’s Dr. Keo or his team. That’s because I trust them. And trust is very important when it comes to someone caring for your pet. I mean some people would just take their animals anywhere for treatment. I talked to a lady the other day and she said she only takes her dog in once a year for his shots. Any idiot can do that, she said. And then I asked her, during that year in between shots, how would she know if her dog was getting cancer, or something worse. She said she wouldn’t. And then I asked her that God forbid if that ever did happen, where would she take her dog for treatment? And she said she would probably take him to the same vet that gives his shots every year. So I asked her that since she said that any idiot can give vaccinations, I asked her if that same idiot could treat cancer too? She looked at me with a puzzled look on her face and didn’t know what to say. So I did what any responsible pet parent would do…I told her about a better place where her dog could recieve the best of care, get preventitive screenings, and his vaccinations for just a little more than what she was paying right then. I told her about Banfield, as I do quite often now days.
Dr. Keo and Banfield saved Snottie’s life, and because of that I will always be grateful. You always see business’ with their catchy slogans, but never have I actually seen one live up to it’s name. Banfield really does that! They really do treat pets like family!
August 9th, 2008 at 11:32 pm