Like almost any puppy, Tessie is not a fan of the vet. (The above is a picture of her in the waiting room.)
No one likes the doctor. But, as far as vets go, Tessie has a pretty good one.
When first adopted, I took Tessie to Norwood Animal Hospital. Worst idea ever. Find my review of them on yelp HERE (posted under Sara K). Or, just read this:
7/23/2009
The nurses were very nice but the doctor was a disappointment.
I adopted my dog from a rescue about a month ago and this was her first vet trip. When she growled and tried to nip the doctor upon his first approach, he acted as if he had never seen a dog act that way and flat out said "We don't deal with that" before giving me tranq pills and making me reschedule.
The people at PetSmart can handle my dog fabulously, so how can a certified, experienced vet act like this over a rescue dog who was clearly scared? It is hard for me to believe this was the first time he has seen this.
He said we need to see a behaviorist, which she may, but he did not ask me for her history or any details about the dog. She is by nature a nervous dog, but the nipping was out of character for her. He completely lacked in compassion when talking to me, and made me feel like there was something out of the ordinary wrong with her. He said "I know she has had a hard life but..." But?? She's a puppy who we have reason to believe was abused and/or abandoned. We are in training classes and working hard towards a more secure life for her, which I do not expect to happen overnight.
Apparently this clinic does not treat anything less than a perfect dog. His lack of interest and compassion have sealed the deal for me. I will not be going back.
Sadly, you can see by clicking the link I wasn't the only one with such a negative experience. I don't know how they stay in business. The doctor told me we needed a behavioralist who, conveniently, works with him! And was going to cost me OBSCENE amounts of money. I literally ran to PetSmart to see Tessie's trainer, Colleen, almost in tears. Luckily she was there to tell me what a crackpot and an asshole that doctor was. Tessie was/is a great dog. Of course she was nervous at first!
And needless to say, I never went back.
Shiloh was just getting over pancreatitis and, per recommendation of my mom's boss, was going to NorthPaws. The doctors there saved her life. Even though I was living in Boston, I was happy to drive Tessie to Smithfield, RI for her first appointment.
The doctors there are WONDERFUL. Tessie was little more than a wet noodle on her first visit since I had given her the tranquilizer the Norwood doctor gave me, expecting to have the same problem. But we wouldn't have needed it. The NorthPaws doctors are so gentle, so kind, so knowledgeable about how to handle animals - Tessie loved them. (Back in those days, loved = didn't try to bite)
As you can tell, we've been going there ever since. And we have never had a problem. Ever.
Of course, that doesn't mean she likes it there, per say. But again, who does??
For those of you who don't know, NorthPaws is a wonderful veterinary office in Smithfield run by Dr. Mark Paradise. Dr. Paradise is the one who helped little Shiloh last month. He is above and beyond one of the kindest doctors I have ever met. His passion for animals is evident in his treatment of them. After Shiloh passed, I swear he had tears in his eyes. Which is incredible. I don't see him often, but can only say kind things about him.
Anyways, NorthPaws is going through some construction as they expand. Oh, also - this isn't your typical, sterile doctors office. It's in an old house, complete with fireplaces in the waiting/examination rooms, charming decor, and a wonderful homey feeling.
Charming as it is, it's great that they are expanding.
Anyways, back to our visit on Saturday.
It was pretty busy there, so we were waiting a little longer than usual with a few other dogs. Tessie was of course shaking like a leaf, and therefore on her best behavior. She only left my lap when the receptionist offered her treats. Typical.
Once in the examination room, Tessie continued to be a model patient
See? So good!
The room we were in used to be huge but has been cut in half by the expansion. This is a picture of the size now:
See the fireplace in the corner? It's cut in half by the new wall now, but the charm is still there!
On Shiloh's second-to-last visit, we were in this room. We didn't know if it would be her last because this was at the time we were still figuring out what to do. Therefore the whole family was in attendance at the appointment. We had me, my brother, my mom, the doctor and the nurse in this one tiny room. With Shiloh, who was of course trying to escape/get to the dog on the other side of that door. Looking back, it was actually quite comical.
Anyways, Tessie wasted no time exploring
The visit was quick, and while I'm still waiting to hear the results from her tests, she was given a clean bill of health!
The doctor said she looks great with the exception of her bald chest (something she has had since I first adopted her - it's either allergies or just her) and a broken tooth. The broken tooth I'm freaking out about a little bit but he assured me that it's pretty normal (especially since she has a bit of an underbite) and there's nothing I can do but keep an eye on it. But, of course, I'm still freaking a little.
Most adorable part of the day? When Tessie gave blood for her blood test! I know, it should't be adorable, but look at the cute little bandage on her back leg!
I'm sorry, but I think it's adorable!
Needless to say, after all that excitement, I had a pooped puppy on the way home
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