Thanks for the compliments on the website, Kater! I'm still adding content, but I just wanted to get a base site up. I'm glad you liked the first aid section. I'm going to add some text to other emergencies in that section. I can't believe what happened with that poor cat! I don't think I could have been nice to that person. I know that must have been hard for you. We had some rich b**ch of a lady drive up to the shelter when I was volunteering there about a month ago, in her BMW to drop off her cat. She said that she wanted us to euthanize it. The reason? It was peeing on her precious carpets. Hmmm...So nice of her to find the reason. This poor cat was so overweight and could barely fit in the cage it was brought in. It probably had diabetes from being overweight, or simply it was peeing on the carpet to tell her that he was too fat. Otherwise it looked fine. I was so mad. People are so stupid sometimes.

Yes, our vets actually have several unregistered techs working for them. Actually, the really neat thing about where I work is that Dr. Martinez is really into teaching us stuff. He is the one that hired me on the spot when I brought my cat Sergei in for his shots in May. I had been laid off as a result of the "dot bomb" and I was just making small talk with the vet when I was in the exam room and I said something about volunteering for FOSMAS (Friends of San Martin Animal Shelter) since I was laid off. He looked at me and said, "Do you want a job?" LOL Now that's not something you get every day! I told him that I don't have any licenses or anything, and he said it was ok. I started work the next day! Since I don't have a medical background, all the lingo like "get me some 4 op monocryl" has been pretty odd to get used to, but I'm learning. In fact, our main "vet tech" is going through a class right now to get her license. Another girl that I really like is also currently taking a class to get her certification for being an Assistant. If I decide to stay on long term, I will probably do the same thing. I'll gain the experience on the job, then take the classes and the tests to get the license. It's funny, because basically we have undergone a complete staff change, so everyone is still getting situated and finding their niche.

The first day I was on the job, I almost passed out! They were doing a search for an embedded foxtail in a paw of a lab and for some reason it just made me queasy. I got really hot and started to sweat. I must have been pale as a sheet! I sat down and had a drink of pop. The vet said not to worry about it, because it happens when you're first around this stuff. I am slowly getting used to the gore of the surgery rooms.
Kelly, I know what you mean about not really expecting things like foxtails to be so frequent. It is at our hospital too! I think foxtail surgeries have been some of the most popular surgeries along with hematomas. Even my little Priya had a foxtail in her ear when I adopted her, so it was removed when she was spayed at the shelter! Gosh! I really need to watch out for those things!
I really felt out of place at first, because it is quite definitely a drastic change from the computer industry. At least I'm still getting some computer action by doing the website, so that makes me happy. I feel honoured when Dr. Martinez tells clients to take a look at the website, because he likes it as a resource.

I know what you all mean about the poor people who come in to have their animals put down. I am such a sap, and I cry at everything, so it's really hard for me to keep from crying when our clients are in such misery. I usually rub their arms or pat their backs, poor things! Great stories everyone! Keep em coming!