This is a GREAT story! This is a wholesome, uplifting, and educational story before I start reading the daily bad. Thank you for what you do (and have done)!
Fantastic story! When I first discovered Vital Animal, I was seeking good information about dog health, and I certainly hit the jackpot. But I have continued to read for years, not just for the tidbits about all things medical, but also because you have a way with words and really know how to write. I've often thought that if the veterinary world hadn't snatched you up first, the literary world would have likely benefited instead. I am a teacher--albeit a music one--but I'm pretty knowledgeable about writing and grammar, and I can attest that few people in today's society can write worth a darn. Most of them can't put together a grammatically proper sentence "with two hands, a flashlight, and a paper bag". It's doubly enjoyable to read a riveting story like this one and not have to mentally edit the errors while I'm doing it. Thanks for a great start to my day! (I can't wait to share this with a like-minded friend of mine.)
I owe a lot to my mom, who was a serious reader and helped edit high school papers. And, one amazing English teacher I had for two years running in HS, who scared the bejeebers out of many in the class but who was always gracious to me (and gave me a knowing wink now and again). She used a red pencil quite appropriately, had us write on unlined paper (and handing the final AND the draft), and, while she clearly meant business, had a heart of gold.
I, too, struggle to read poorly written words, trying to edit and imagine what the author was trying to say. In long pieces, I have to give up, as it becomes too much of a strain, when some reading aloud would have easily uncovered the errors before hitting Publish.
Want more???? YES Please! A book is in order - I loved All Creatures Great & Small, could never read that too many times & we still watch the original series. Vets today are not quite what they used to be so these types of experiences should be helpful also to anyone considering such an extraordinary vocation. What would we ever have done without people like you to save our precious pets. I await the next story!!!!
Those stories, whether James' written books or the BBC original TV, will never get old, I agree. Believe it or not, as I graduated from U. of Missouri Vet School, our guest speaker at the ceremony was none other than Tristan Farnon (who told a ribald and hilarious joke I'll tell at some point)!
Wow, you met Tristan! I am jealous in a very positive way:}. I was so saddened to learn that Donald Sinclair, his brother and fellow vet, committed suicide. I believe it was due to a broken heart losing so many he loved.
I lived in Wisconsin for a few years. I had the experience of being a Hobby farmer and mom to two Scottish Highland calves. I had to read and learn so much about cattle on my own. And the storm I recall a few of those. We had a long steep driveway up to the house where I was living and it would drift. I remember calculating how to blast through the monster drift in my Toyota 4Runner more than once while the boyfriend who owned the house was off ice fishing in North Dakota. I also was asked to help with rounding up some domestic elk on foot for veterinary check up, that was wild. That drift on the drive way was hit it at ramming speed with as much as you could. I grew up driving Wyoming roads in the winter, so lots of experience there. I enjoyed this one, thanks.
Totally can identify with that story - so well written!! I've had similar experiences over the years. Thank you so much for bringing them back to life. When I graduated in 1995 and worked with Amish dairy farmers, I would be doing emergencies at night with the aid of a gas lamp. Over the years they got battery-powered LED lights when they became available, mainly for safety since a gas-lamp tipped over was a true fire hazard in a barn. I do not like LED light! One nice thing about gas lamps is that they are portable compared to a light bulb. Mix in the botanical medicines and crude biologics I was using and it was literally like how Herriot practiced. I know you know the feeling - that story of going out in the snow storm for a milk fever says it perfectly!!
I, too, HATE LED lights. And a gas lamp must have been challenging not only for the fire possibility but for the eyesight of close work! But what an ambience it must have been for you! I got to spend about 10 days with the Mennonites in Kentucky (shirt tail relatives of my wife) and remember the distinctively odd feeling of getting back into my van to drive home after days of their normal pace.
I lived in that world for 20 years as a service provider. As you know, to the dairy farmer a vet is at the same sociological level as the refrigeration repairman, vacuum line checker, milk tester, milk hauler and all the other small business folks in the community. They loved my non-antibiotic and non-hormonal approach to their cows. The Old Order Amish are great folks to be in community with. Part of the switch to LED flashlights beyond the safety was the cheaper cost since the batteries are rechargeable. To make DC current for their cow trainers ("stickers") hey use inverters that come off a line of batteries and the whole engine house is fueled by diesel. That's the nitty-gritty behind the scenes of being off-grid Amish style. Fortunately, my time was always spent with the farmer and his cows in one way or another just like you :-)
This is a GREAT story! This is a wholesome, uplifting, and educational story before I start reading the daily bad. Thank you for what you do (and have done)!
That story was enthralling! Please keep 'em coming and consider writing a book! Thank you!
I have, it's just a big undertaking, so it sits in pieces on a hard drive somewhere… Thanks for the feedback, though, Linda.
Fantastic story! When I first discovered Vital Animal, I was seeking good information about dog health, and I certainly hit the jackpot. But I have continued to read for years, not just for the tidbits about all things medical, but also because you have a way with words and really know how to write. I've often thought that if the veterinary world hadn't snatched you up first, the literary world would have likely benefited instead. I am a teacher--albeit a music one--but I'm pretty knowledgeable about writing and grammar, and I can attest that few people in today's society can write worth a darn. Most of them can't put together a grammatically proper sentence "with two hands, a flashlight, and a paper bag". It's doubly enjoyable to read a riveting story like this one and not have to mentally edit the errors while I'm doing it. Thanks for a great start to my day! (I can't wait to share this with a like-minded friend of mine.)
I owe a lot to my mom, who was a serious reader and helped edit high school papers. And, one amazing English teacher I had for two years running in HS, who scared the bejeebers out of many in the class but who was always gracious to me (and gave me a knowing wink now and again). She used a red pencil quite appropriately, had us write on unlined paper (and handing the final AND the draft), and, while she clearly meant business, had a heart of gold.
I, too, struggle to read poorly written words, trying to edit and imagine what the author was trying to say. In long pieces, I have to give up, as it becomes too much of a strain, when some reading aloud would have easily uncovered the errors before hitting Publish.
This was a great story! If you write more like this, be sure to save them. Looks to me like you've got a book coming.
Want more???? YES Please! A book is in order - I loved All Creatures Great & Small, could never read that too many times & we still watch the original series. Vets today are not quite what they used to be so these types of experiences should be helpful also to anyone considering such an extraordinary vocation. What would we ever have done without people like you to save our precious pets. I await the next story!!!!
Those stories, whether James' written books or the BBC original TV, will never get old, I agree. Believe it or not, as I graduated from U. of Missouri Vet School, our guest speaker at the ceremony was none other than Tristan Farnon (who told a ribald and hilarious joke I'll tell at some point)!
I rarely comment before reading others' comments, but I just HAD to share about James Herriot immediately! 😁
I hear you, those stories are near and dear to so many of us.
Wow, you met Tristan! I am jealous in a very positive way:}. I was so saddened to learn that Donald Sinclair, his brother and fellow vet, committed suicide. I believe it was due to a broken heart losing so many he loved.
Love this story! I felt I was right there with you sitting in the cab, clutching the door handle while you blasted through the big snow drift!
I loved the story! You are an excellent storyteller.
You are a wonderful story teller, I was captivated by the effortless elegance of your prose.
So reminiscent of James Herriot.
Great story!
I’m just reviewing large animal homeopathy for the Vet MFHom exam so your story was bang on que. Thank you.
I lived in Wisconsin for a few years. I had the experience of being a Hobby farmer and mom to two Scottish Highland calves. I had to read and learn so much about cattle on my own. And the storm I recall a few of those. We had a long steep driveway up to the house where I was living and it would drift. I remember calculating how to blast through the monster drift in my Toyota 4Runner more than once while the boyfriend who owned the house was off ice fishing in North Dakota. I also was asked to help with rounding up some domestic elk on foot for veterinary check up, that was wild. That drift on the drive way was hit it at ramming speed with as much as you could. I grew up driving Wyoming roads in the winter, so lots of experience there. I enjoyed this one, thanks.
being from Maine I can relate in weather and the generosity and wisdom of rural folks, great story and memories
Love your stories. You are a fantastic writer. Veterinarians of your quality rate right-up there with firemen for being heroes.
Best thing since All Creatures Great and Small!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this! Please keep it coming.
Totally can identify with that story - so well written!! I've had similar experiences over the years. Thank you so much for bringing them back to life. When I graduated in 1995 and worked with Amish dairy farmers, I would be doing emergencies at night with the aid of a gas lamp. Over the years they got battery-powered LED lights when they became available, mainly for safety since a gas-lamp tipped over was a true fire hazard in a barn. I do not like LED light! One nice thing about gas lamps is that they are portable compared to a light bulb. Mix in the botanical medicines and crude biologics I was using and it was literally like how Herriot practiced. I know you know the feeling - that story of going out in the snow storm for a milk fever says it perfectly!!
I, too, HATE LED lights. And a gas lamp must have been challenging not only for the fire possibility but for the eyesight of close work! But what an ambience it must have been for you! I got to spend about 10 days with the Mennonites in Kentucky (shirt tail relatives of my wife) and remember the distinctively odd feeling of getting back into my van to drive home after days of their normal pace.
I lived in that world for 20 years as a service provider. As you know, to the dairy farmer a vet is at the same sociological level as the refrigeration repairman, vacuum line checker, milk tester, milk hauler and all the other small business folks in the community. They loved my non-antibiotic and non-hormonal approach to their cows. The Old Order Amish are great folks to be in community with. Part of the switch to LED flashlights beyond the safety was the cheaper cost since the batteries are rechargeable. To make DC current for their cow trainers ("stickers") hey use inverters that come off a line of batteries and the whole engine house is fueled by diesel. That's the nitty-gritty behind the scenes of being off-grid Amish style. Fortunately, my time was always spent with the farmer and his cows in one way or another just like you :-)
Me three about the LED lights.
Four!