Check out our latest edition!
February 2023 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint Finding Love Where You Least Expect It
JESSICA & TANNER
My real name is Melinda, and that's what my name tag said. But all my friends and customers at the bar call me Moe. It would cause a slight problem after Jaime left his phone number for me on a napkin at the hostess' station. When I started texting him, he kept telling me I had the wrong number! Jaime couldn't figure out why some guy named Moe was texting him. Reminding him that he'd given me his number only confused him more. We went back and forth for a while before I finally realized the problem and explained he knew me as Melinda from the restaurant. We still have a good laugh about that all these years later. To think it could have been a missed connection! Dr. Jessica Neil also met her husband in an unconventional way. They attended the same university, and he dated her friend. So, it became lucky for Dr. Neil when the friend planned on moving away. I'll let her take the story from here: My friend left school to move back to Montana, so I went to her place to say goodbye. Tanner helped her load up her stuff before he could drive it to Montana. I'd never met him before, but I couldn't help but notice his long ponytail. It wasn't my kind of look, and it got worse when he took the ponytail down, and I saw that it was a mullet. My brother was really into mullets, so I asked Tanner if I could take a photograph of him. With his mullet and creepy mustache (at the time),
Happy Valentine's Day! Love is in the air, and I hope you have someone special to help you celebrate the holiday. If you don't, it might help to remember that you never know when you’ll meet the right person. Two people working at Surface Creek Vet have stories that remind us it's best to have an open mind and a good sense of humor when looking for love. One of our veterinary technicians, Moe, met her husband while she was working at a restaurant. But while the way they crossed each other's paths seems as old as time, they experienced a misunderstanding that seems straight out of a modern sitcom. I'll let her tell it in her own words: Jaime started coming into the restaurant where I worked about 18 years ago. At the time, I had two roles and acted as both a manager and a bartender. Jaime was a regular, and I often saw him in my managerial duties because he would bring in coupons for his meal.
it looked like a mug shot! We saw each other around school but didn't talk much until we ran into each other at a bar a few years later. We were each out with a group of friends, and the two of us started flirting. But for reasons unknown, my friend decided to punch Tanner! It turned into a brawl, they got kicked out of the bar, and police ended up handcuffing Tanner. I felt awful leaving while he was detained, but what could I do? I wished him good luck and left. The following day, I felt guilty and messaged him on Facebook. I apologized for my friend and told him that I hoped he made it home okay. Fortunately, Tanner wasn’t arrested and is forgiving. We started talking after that — and the rest is history! Whether you're spending it with a former customer, a friend's ex, or someone else entirely, Dr. Susie and I wish you a happy Valentine's Day. I hope you will remember to cherish the ones you love. And if you still need to find Mr. or Ms. Right, remember they might be where you least expect them!
–Dr. Jeff
MOE & JAMIE
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The Best Companion
THE STORY OF CHER AMI
HSaovwedO1n9e4Pigeon American Soldiers
Front and Center Nicole Person has always wanted to work with animals. “I grew up with dogs,” she says. “We always had German shepherds and cats, and whenever we’d go to the vet, I’d find it really interesting.” She remembers a few instances when the veterinarian shared some details of their work with her, which sparked an interest. During high school, Nicole attended vocational classes to become a veterinary tech assistant, and she majored in pet science in college. “I was pretty proud when I got that degree,” she says. Life circumstances ultimately led her down a different path, but she maintained a connection with animals during a 16-year career as a dog trainer and manager at Petco. Nicole joined Surface Creek Vet late last year as a receptionist after her family relocated to Colorado. “I love being in reception,” she says. “I like being the first person people see and the last person they see. I learned a lot about the importance of that during my retail experience.” “The clinic is great,” she adds. “My first vet clinic 20 years ago was just dogs and cats, but here we see everything! We see bunnies come in and cows and goats. It’s really fun.” Nicole notes that she may cross-train to work directly with the animals in the future, but she’s currently enjoying working at the front desk. At home, Nicole has three cats, a guinea pig, and four tortoises, which she calls “a product of working at Petco for 16 years.” She notes that she would love to adopt a dog but is currently holding off due to her cats’ advanced ages. Nicole has an identical twin who works as a nurse in the emergency room. “I’m the animal medical person, and she’s the people medical person,” she jokes. The two of them followed their parents to Colorado from Southern California. “I don’t miss it at all,” Nicole says. “I love the new weather here!” While she retired from playing due to injuries, she remains a “big- time” soccer fan and enjoys watching the sport as much as possible. Nicole is happy with her new role and the culture at Surface Creek Vet. “It’s great meeting new clients and seeing longtime clients come back because they appreciate what we do for them,” she says. “I just love helping all different kinds of animals.” MEET RECEPTIONIST NICOLE PERSON!
Animals have always played a role in military efforts during wartime. Cats were kept aboard naval ships for pest control, horses and camels provided transportation for supplies and soldiers pre-World War II, and dogs are still used to this day for search and rescue efforts as well as mine detection. But one animal profession became obsolete with the advancement of communication technology: messenger. Often used during World War I, many dogs and pigeons became responsible for delivering messages of high importance. Of all the animals used during World War I, one pigeon named Cher Ami defied the odds to save nearly 200 American soldiers. On Oct. 2, 1918, Major Charles Whittlesey got trapped along the side of a hill in Northeastern France with 550 of his men. They ended up behind enemy lines with no food or ammunition, and — to make matters worse — his battalion started to suffer from friendly fire since allied troops remained unaware of their location. With nowhere to run, Whittlesey tried to send runners to contact the allies about their predicament. Unfortunately, their enemies consistently intercepted or killed these runners until only 194 men remained. Whittlesey decided to dispatch messages by pigeon. The first pigeon got shot down almost immediately, so he sent a second pigeon with the message, “Men are suffering. Can support be sent?” That one also got shot. Finally, Whittlesey turned to his last pigeon, Cher Ami, and scribbled down a quick note on onion paper that read, “We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it.” Cher Ami took flight, but even after being shot down by the Germans, the bird defied the odds and actually took flight again! The effective delivery of this message helped save 194 men, but Cher Ami did not escape unharmed. He had been shot through the breast, blinded in one eye, and had a leg hanging only by a tendon. Army medics treated Cher Ami enough so he could travel to America, where he eventually succumbed to his wounds. The bird was then taxidermied and displayed in the Smithsonian, where you can still see him today. So, the next time you’re in Washington, D.C., stop by the “Price of Freedom” exhibit at the National Museum of American History where you can personally see this brave pigeon.
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GOOD FOR YOU, BAD FOR THEM
The People Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs Dogs love people food. And even though we know we shouldn’t give it to them, it’s sometimes difficult to resist their cute little faces.
vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach ulcers. Even when medical intervention isn’t necessary, you don’t want to deal with the cleanup, so bland is better.
Onions Tasty though they may be to us, the entire onion family is
Clien th ts e SWpr o e r a d ding Spicy and Salty Foods Did you know that too much salt can give dogs tremors and seizures — and even result in a coma? Meanwhile, spicy foods can cause Chocolate This is the most well-known doggie no-no, but it bears repeating. Chocolate contains theobromine, which canines can’t metabolize properly. While dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Keep all chocolates and candies out of your dog’s reach. In truth, small, occasional table scraps usually won’t hurt your pooch — making it a regular occurrence is what poses a problem. But there are some foods you should never give your dog, no matter how big their eyes get. The following foods are toxic and can even be deadly in a high enough dose.
dangerous to dogs. Garlic, chives, leeks, and every type of onion can damage your dog’s red blood cells and cause anemia. Worse, many prepared foods contain these ingredients without you even realizing it. You must know what’s in any food you give your dog, so only offer what you’ve personally cooked.
Common Fruits and Vegetables While some produce is safe and even healthy for dogs, others can cause serious illnesses. Experts don’t know why grapes are incredibly toxic to dogs, but they can cause kidney failure, even in small amounts.
Large amounts of broccoli are harmful, and avocados are poisonous to pups. Mushrooms can cause a host of adverse reactions. Never give your dog fruits and vegetables unless you’re sure they’re safe. This list of dangerous foods is not comprehensive, so it’s best to avoid giving your dog food from your table unless your veterinarian has given the okay. Most importantly, call your veterinarian immediately for instructions if your dog accidentally gets into any toxic foods. Swift intervention might make all the difference.
Valentine’s Day Dog Treats Inspired by PrettyFluffy.com
Marsha Gill Chris Hearing Aimee Olson Naomi Brown
Alisha Love-Buchser Kevin Parks Joe DeCanto
Celebrate your four-legged valentine this month with these adorable and delicious treats!
INGREDIENTS
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1/2 cup dried cranberries 3–4 tbsp coconut flour
• • •
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups almond flour
1 tbsp coconut oil
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. 2. In a small bowl, beat eggs and set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, combine almond flour, coconut oil, and dried cranberries. 4. Once combined, pour in eggs and mix with your hands. (The dough will be very wet.) 5. Add coconut flour 1 tbsp at a time; mix well after each addition. You want to achieve a consistency that is easy to roll, is not super sticky, and easily forms a ball. 6. Roll out dough and cut treats using bite-size cookie cutters. Tip: Sprinkle a little coconut flour on top of your dough to keep it from sticking to the cookie cutters. 7. On a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, place your treats. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until crisp. Let cool before giving to your pooch!
WReeRf e rerwa lasr! d
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A Tale of 2 Romances inside this issue
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The Unlikely Heroics of Cher Ami
Meet Our New Receptionist!
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Never Give Your Dog These Foods
Valentine’s Day Dog Treats
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Wanna Stay Warm Outside?
GET OUTSIDE WITHOUT THE COLD Warm Up With an Outdoor Fire New Appointment Cancellation Policy When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable.
experience?” They’ll get everyone talking and forgetting all about the cold. Your fire is also the perfect opportunity to tell scary stories. Get a flashlight, head out at night, and do your best to frighten each other! (If you’ve got kids around, make sure the stories are age-appropriate.) Everyone can make up their own stories, retell tales they heard long ago, or do some research online beforehand. Find out who is the best storyteller — and the biggest scaredy-cat. Many typical “indoor” activities can also be brought outside. For example, get out some cards or a board game. Music will also liven up the atmosphere. You can even start a dance party if you keep a safe distance from the flames. Those looking for solo time can also read a book, sketch, or journal. No matter what activity you choose, an outdoor fire will allow you to enjoy the fresh air and get some vitamin D (if during the daytime) without excessive shivering. It might even turn into a favorite cold-weather activity.
Is it too cold to spend time outside? Nonsense! While we wait for spring, there’s no better way to get some fresh air than around a warm fire with friends and family. Whether you build a bonfire or purchase an outdoor firepit, a cozy fire is great fun day or night, and you can do plenty of activities to keep you busy. Get started with some campfire classics — roasting marshmallows and cooking hot dogs! Placing food on a skewer and holding it over a fire is a fun activity for everyone, and kids will love the opportunity to prepare their own “meal” — with proper adult supervision, of course. Campfire grill racks will help you make slightly fancier food options. One of the best fire pastimes is taking the time to chat. Invite over folks you haven’t seen in a while and catch up! A fire is also an opportunity to put the phone away and connect on a deeper level. Consider bringing some interesting prompts along, like “What is your favorite childhood memory?” or “What was your worst vacation
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