What were you doing 10 years ago? Sometimes it is hard to believe how fast a decade can go. Looking back can be rewarding and sometimes overwhelming to see all that has changed or remained the same. Some dreams and goals have been achieved; others are still waiting.
I have gained some new titles in the last 10 years. I now have the title of an empty nester as our kids all left home and started adventures on their own. We now have a son-in-law and daughter-in-law that expanded our family in positive ways. That makes me a mother-in-law. We have been able to enjoy family dinners, trips, and holidays together. Hanging out with your adult children is like visiting the most beautiful and precious parts of your life. Watching them achieve success and follow their dreams is rewarding.
I became a Nene to two beautiful granddaughters that melt my heart every time we are together. I was not certain what name would stick when I became a grandmother to our first granddaughter but am very happy to hear them say “Nene”. We will be blessed with our first grandson in August. We are overjoyed to see our family growing in this way. More love to go around. More blessings to behold.
I found out by googling my name a few years ago that I am now considered an “Author”. Wasn’t expecting that title but since I have been writing this blog for 10 years google gave me that title. I have covered a lot of different topics over the years, and some have even been shared in other spaces. One was October 2017; I wrote about my association with the Gentle Doctor Statue and the man who was the model for that iconic piece of Christian Petersen’s. Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine picked it up and shared it in their Gentle Doctor magazine. It is now archived on their website with other online “Gentle Doctors Are Everywhere” articles. We also heard from a vet student in Kansas that was following the blog because the information was easy to read and follow. Other nonprofit organizations have shared a blog related to pet issues that are concerning their clients. I hope the information that I share does help those searching for information about their furry friends.
In the last year I have acquired the title of semi-retired since I only do Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays at Winterset Veterinary Center. It has allowed me to pick up other hobbies and help other people with day-to-day tasks. I have been doing more flower gardening and mowing since I love spending time outdoors. I play pickle ball and enjoy the game but have a lot to learn. Got involved in community theater last year and did the musical 9 to 5. I joined Lutheran Church of Hope’s Praise choir. I talk to Jr. high and Sr high students about veterinary medicine as a career choice. In these activities I especially loved meeting many new people.
As I have met new people the question comes up, what do you do? It never fails that when I say I am a veterinarian, people immediately have a story or comment about how they wanted to be a veterinarian or how their pet is unique or can you tell me why this happened to my pet. I never get tired of hearing these stories and feel that this career has made conversations with strangers easier because everyone likes to talk about their pets. People generally see veterinarians as honest and trustworthy. I hope that this profession never changes. It is something we can be proud of.
In 10 years, we have seen preventions go from orals to yearly injections for heartworm prevention. We have gone from topicals to orals to yearly injections for flea and tick prevention today. These advancements will stop the spread of diseases that are difficult to treat and costly to the clients. With these new products we will help dogs live longer and healthier lives. That is a goal every one of us can appreciate.
In the last 10 years we have gotten injections to help dogs with allergies and arthritis that have given dogs much better long-term quality of life. Having these options has allowed veterinarians to have more tools in the toolbox to get the job done. Owners want their dogs to be comfortable and able to enjoy daily activities without pain or itching. These new injections also make it easier for families that have busy lives and remembering to medicate their pets was difficult. With these new treatments I can only hope that we will see advancement in human treatments in the future. I could use an injection for joint pain that has also become more prevalent in the last 10 years.
In the past 10 years we have seen specialty hospitals treating Orthopedics or Oncology only patients. The cost of care for all procedures has increased along with the advancement of medications. Pet insurance has become more common as people desire to do everything possible for their pet. No one wants to have to make those difficult decisions based on financial burdens and pet insurance can assist with costs of care during a crisis.
Overall advancements are a good thing. One thing I have not tapped into is Chat GDP since I am not impressed with the sterile stiff way they write. I had a reference letter that I wrote, and my husband put it into Chat GDP so I could see the difference. It was impersonal and I decided not to rely on it for personal blog use. Call me old fashion but if you have been reading my blogs for a time, just know that the format has not changed.
Enjoy the 250th celebration of our country on July 4th. It should be a great opportunity for our country to unite over being Americans from places all over the world. We are blessed to live in America and celebrating our freedoms daily should not be taken for granted.
