Miss America

Joan, my very dear friend of many years, is now retired from the BBC, but she arranged my veterinary externship in Yorkshire. Originally, she had contacted Alf Wight (James Herriot), but he wanted me to be there for the month of February. Now, that wouldn't be lambing season? But those dates did not fit my school schedule. I had to be there in late August into September. This prompted Joan to contact Jack Watkinson of Watkinson & Naish. Joan knew Mr. Watkinson as the veterinary advisor to the BBC series All Creatures Great and Small.

I received a great letter from Jack, and I promptly accepted his offer of an externship. I met so many great people while in the Yorkshire Dales. Many with whom I maintain contact and always visit when in that part of the world.

My very last day at Watkinson & Naish, the receptionist Karen asked if I knew what everyone called me before I arrived at the practice? I didn't know what she was talking about.
She pushed the day book across her desk toward me, and there were the messages the veterinary surgeons had left each other. "When is Miss America actually arriving?"
"Miss America arrives this Tuesday week." "Do not forget Miss America arrives tomorrow."

Procedures that Take Years off Your Life

Everyday in veterinary medicine is different & challenging. Monday was certainly one of those days. A 15 year old feline was scheduled for a dental procedure. This was not an ordinary procedure. The canine tooth had an exposed nerve, and the patient was not eating anything. This was one very painful mouth. The owner was allowing me to do this procedure as a last resort because he did not want this kitty enduring the risks of general anesthesia, and rightly so.

I did all the pre-anesthetic tests including an EKG because of the presence of a heart murmur. The cardiologist recommended chest radiographs and postponement of general anesthesia due to preventricular contractions (PVCs). The chest radiographs looked very good--I was surprised. Did I mention this kitty had other medical problems as well? Lots of them.

In spite of all the contraindications, I knew I had to get that painful tooth out if this patient was ever going to eat again. The entire hospital was involved in this procedure. It was tense. Emergency drugs were reviewed and standing ready. An IV catheter was placed and fluids were running. Upon induction of anesthesia, a full range of monitoring equipment was being employed. The patient did beautifully. Five very severely resorbed teeth had to be surgically extracted, and the gingiva sutured. The surgery was going much longer than planned, but the patient continued to do well. Even though there was more work to be completed in the mouth, I chose to recover the patient & postpone further dental surgery for another time.

The procedure could not have gone better. The patient recovered rapidly.

Tuesday morning he was reaching out of his cage playing with anyone who would give him attention. It is a miracle we (the patient & me) made it through yesterday. Everytime I give so much of myself in a procedure, I know it takes at least one year off my life.

Live Your Dreams

The thing I remember most about my friends in England was they were each fulfilling their dreams in their work. Philip would come home after playing for hours on stage & reach for his guitar & play to relax. He loved his work. I knew I had to find a career that I could love like that. One that I could do day & night if needed.

After moving to the farm in Banks County, I finally found my heart's desire--to work with animals. I began seeking advice about becoming a veterinarian, and I found very little encouragement. This was not really a field open to females at the time. In fact when I made an appointment with the associate dean at UGA's College of Veterinary Medicine, I was told "I would never be accepted to veterinary school over a 21 year old male". That was a shock, but I refused to be discouraged. I knew I had to have a strong case for acceptance if I was going to make it.

I received encouragement from Dr. Smith in South Carolina and from Kenneth Bridges in Oconee County. Both worked with me in the Southeastern Shorthorn Association. Kenneth wrote one of my recommendations. Occasionally, he & his wife stop to visit on their way to the mountains, and I shall always remember his help & encouragement.

Guinness

Years ago I had a very, very small German Shepherd. My brother purchased her for $3.00, and that is not a typo. Guinness lived to run and fetch. In fact, in her later years we had to restrict her fetching or she would have done herself harm. Everyone who has ever had an elderly pet always wishes that they would pass quietly in their sleep when the appointed time comes, but very few pets do this. When Guinness was 17 years old, she was having a quiet nap in the morning sun after her walk, and her lively spirit left her. I shall always remember her leaping into the water at the 'slick rock' in hot pursuit of the stick that had been thrown for her to fetch. She was a great swimmer, a great athlete, and a great friend.

A Irish Wolfhound to Remember

Philip & I dreamed of having an Irish Wolfhound. I remember the first one I ever saw. We were in Junk City, a huge store selling everything from antiques to old movie props in London near the Hammersmith Bridge. Well, we were browsing in Junk City and were startled by this "pony" galloping down the isle. No, it's wasn't a pony, it was a dog--a huge dog. He was magnificent! We knew immediately this was the dog we would have someday. In fact as I remember, Philip wanted a brace of wolfhounds. Being more logical, I decided to settle for one.

When the Wolfhound,"Noel" boarded at Northeast Veterinary Hospital, her owners allowed us to keep her at our house. She had a great time each day riding around with Philip in his little truck and sleeping by our bed at night. We were in love with Irish Wolfhounds, but were having to settle for our visits from Noel until her owner told the breeder how crazy we were about wolfhounds, and word traveled fast. The next thing we knew we were invited to Atlanta to see a litter of puppies. The breeder wanted to retain ownership of more dogs than she could keep at her house, so we were asked to raise Deweylimb as our own but she would be co-owned by the breeder. That was fine with us. We finally had our beloved Irish Wolfhound, and she was wonderful. She even starred in a television advertisement with our two year old son. The ad was so popular the T.V. station received phone calls requesting it. Deweylimb and Philip both did an excellent job, and the advertisement won a national award for the best low budget advertisement.