14/07/2025
❤️
It’s Friday evening, I’m making dinner.
The phone rings, and I give my husband a look.
Is it going to be one of those weekends?
I promise my 4 year old daughter a goodnight kiss.
And I jump in the truck.
It’s Saturday morning, I snuggle my 6 month old baby while we plan the day. We need groceries, and our kiddo is begging to go to the zoo.
Ring, ring, ring…
Mommy has to go help a horse, go have fun without me.
And I jump in the truck.
It’s Saturday evening, I get the call that an old gelding is ready to gallop over the rainbow bridge.
More promises of good night hugs and kisses when I return.
And I jump in the truck.
It’s Saturday night, I’m still on the road.
My phone chimes again.
At least I’m already in the truck!
It’s Sunday: meal prep, family time, and barn chores.
I even squeeze in a ride!
But that emergency ringtone means it’s a “daddy bedtime” again.
Holding the baby on my hip, the phone in my hand, my daughter clings to my leg- Mommy don’t go!
But this horse really needs me.
So I jump in the truck.
It’s midnight, I finally pull in the garage.
I think about my horse doc colleagues.
Some mistreated by keyboard warriors or unreasonable clients.
Some run ragged by non-client emergency demands.
And horse owners wonder, where have all the horse vets gone?
But I am not going anywhere.
I’m tired, but not burned out.
I was thanked more times than I can count this weekend.
This job is grueling, but I am happy to do it for the right people.
Every client appreciated my expertise and understood the value of having an active relationship with their veterinarian.
I’m not afraid to tell someone we aren’t the right fit.
Or say no to the person who expects vets to always be available for emergencies, but doesn’t support the bread and butter routine work.
I will continue to protect myself.
So that I can jump in the truck
For many years to come.
