Keeping pets safe during the holidays

One of my favourite parts of the working year is the holiday season. There's something satisfying about the mad rush to get everything done before Christmas, knowing that at some point there will be a day off to enjoy the company of family and friends. It is a time to appreciate all that we have and to look forward to all that the New Year will bring.

Having been in academics for a number of years, one of the things that I now miss about the holiday season are the visits from clients at this time of year. I was always amazed at how clients were so generous when they had paid us for a service. Thousands of dollars for bi-lateral cataract surgery, or months of chemotherapy that ended in devastating loss never stopped them from coming in to thank us from the bottom of their heart. Cards, food, flowers and gifts would pour in, almost to the point that it was too much to handle. The outpouring of generosity was humbling. Having people acknowledge our services over the last year or merely offer support as we worked long holiday hours when everyone else had the day off. It was because this outpouring of kindness that always reminded me that no matter how much we charge for our services, clients appreciate that we care as much as they do for their animal companions.