06/17/2025
💔 In Loving Memory of Our Friend and Colleague 💔
It’s with heavy hearts that we share the loss of someone incredibly special—our dear friend, teammate, and a true part of our clinic family, Debbie.
If you’ve walked through our doors with a golden retriever, chances are she greeted you with a smile—and your dog with a cuddle. She probably knew them by name, remembered their quirks, and may have even come in on her day off just to see them again. It wasn't unusual for us to have to kick her out of exam rooms just so we could get going! Goldens had her heart, but corgis, especially the sassy ones, had a special corner of it too.
She loved our clients just as much as our patients—always ready to chat, listen, and laugh. She loved doing recheck calls—checking in, cheering you on, and always going the extra mile to make sure you and your pets felt cared for.
She found joy in the little things—like carefully measuring out packets of Panacur (one of the messiest and most disliked medications to fill at the clinic) with a level of precision and satisfaction that made us all smile. We saved bubble wrap for her. And the trays the blood tubes come in--they're fabulous for fidgeting as they crinkle nicely. And orange peels. She liked to watch the orange oil burst out of the skin when she squeezed. She was disappointed if it didn't sq**rt well, and she made sure to tell you your skin donation was a disappointment. It was just one of the many ways she brought heart and humor to even the most routine parts of our day.
Outside the clinic, she had a joyful love of life that was felt by everyone lucky enough to know her. She competed in both working and "pretty" dog shows with her own goldens. She adored her chickens and generously shared their eggs with all of us-sometimes sending her husband to deliver them to the clinic . She loved to cook and bake, and her garden was a beautiful extension of her giving spirit.
She also loved goats, cows, the State Fair and all the other fairs. She complained if someone was wearing colors that were too bright but wore blue mascara for years. We finally got her wearing rainbow colors and other fun socks. And she had the best startle reflex, which made her the perfect target for jump scares. She’d laugh just as hard as the rest of us--once she was done scolding whoever scared her—and that laugh is something we’ll never forget.
We are hurting. Her absence echoes through every exam room, every quiet moment, every memory. She wasn’t just part of our team—she was family. A good friend, a bright soul, and a deeply missed presence.
We miss her more than words can say. 💛
