12/31/2025
Dr Friedmans latest article....the wheel turns, and we are at the end of a year.
We reflect, and our hearts turn to those we have loved the best. if you had a broken heart this year from the loss of your pet, be comforted with the thought that all other animal people stand strong with you. Maybe a thoughtless relative or coworker has said " oh, it's only a cat, a dog, a hamster, a fish....". we know the loss you feel , and we are right there with you till you are starting to heal.
And then - like magic - we see in our mind's eye the new puppies and kittens that have come to fill the empty space left by an old friend departing. We see owners begging us for advice on house training, barking, shredding furniture, chewing. The new friends are terrors! They can't stand it! It's been so long since they had a youngster in the house! So and so was never like this as a baby....or wait, maybe he was....the blessed old friend is remembered as the young monster he once was, and we swallow back tears, and tell stories, and laugh together.
The biggest spark of excitement that shoots through our hospital is the news that a family we have grown fond of has finally gotten a new buddy. Did you hear?! Guess who's coming in on Sunday?! With a puppy!! My staff calls me at home if I'm off, the news spreads like mad. Did they get another Welsh Terrier? A Schnauzer? No, really? Two puppies! Omg!
And the new friends who are also new to pet ownership. What a life change is about to land on them! They will never, ever be the same people now that their houses have been filled with pets. We welcome them to us for the new year. Soon we will have stories to share with them.
And we think of our own pets who are growing old, too, and we think of our very special friends who are gone this year: of Cheech, and Gem, gone so early, and Killian so very brave, and elderly Holly, and Slippers his mom's dog, and the girls - Phoebe and Tina - and Jolson whose ears always hurt, and Tiger Lily, the littlest old kitty, and Scooter the Sheltie, and Mr Bailey, dad's favorite, and Tip, always our favorite patient, and Nell, Nikita and Coal.... the list goes on and on, and I'm sure I've missed so many....
And to close, from all of us at Newburgh Vet and All Creatures Vet, and on behalf of all other givers of veterinary love and care, all our fondest best wishes for a delightful year for your pets and your family. Kiss your cat for me. Love and smooches, Dr E
