Yesterday, Jim wrote that he felt I was being unfair to the vet in regards to requesting he have a sit down with this woman and talk to her about holding off getting more ferrets. I feel that although you Jim, have brought up interesting points to ponder about a vet's personal reasons for not taking the risk of potentially losing a client, that they do not apply in this case. This particular vet is not talking about his own personal needs not being met by my request to have him talk to a woman and persuade her to draw the line and look after what she has. I am not asking for him to demand she surrender her other three... he will continue to get business from her regardless of whether she has ferrets or not. What this vet was describing had more to do with taking legal action, which is not what I was suggesting at all. For the record, I did not demand anything. I asked if, in considering the circumstances, that he perhaps talk with her and let her know that she may not be doing the best thing to her other three, by sacrificing their future health by stretching an already tight dollar for an additional ferret. I asked him the possibility of talking with her because of her respect of him. He turned around and talked of legal action against himself. There was nothing in what he said that even remotely sounded like he was interested in giving her other three a better chance at life. Besides, when did taking the oath to look after the lives of animals becoming something whereby the vet's first concern is whether or not he will have a swimming pool, 15 weeks of vacation, golf days and such, rule over the idea the vet got into the business in the first place ... the care and welfare of his animal clients? And by saying this, I am already hearing the rebuttals.... Yes, vets are like anyone else... they need to make a living too. No one is questioning that by any means, myself included. But for anyone that takes on a particular profession, especially one in which they must dedicate many years, you must admit that they should being in it for the love of that profession... But that is not to say that some wouldn't get into a profession if only to obtain a 5 or 6 figured salary.... but I digress. This is another issue. Like many before you, without having the full picture, it is indeed a hard place to stand in judgment. I did not write these posts about my woes about babysitting for sympathy. I write because there will be others who will go through, if they haven't already, similar situations. We all have something to learn here, and the truth of the matter is not all vets are in it for the glory of medicine, and what they can contribute to the well being of our non-human companions. As for me, I love my vet, because he is the type of vet who is upfront and honest.... two qualities that can never be beat. It is in his directness, that made me take all my animals to him. If you want my business, you have to show me that you have compassion for those who I leave in your care. I don't think that is a lot to ask for. I understand Jim, that you may get the impression that I am taking things personally with this vet... but a spade is a spade, and a leopard never changes its spots... (insert other metaphorical phrases here). A vet who truly cares will show it in many ways... they are people of high distinction, having to know far more than human doctors. They are counselors, and ministers and advisors, and our friends. But just as there are mediocre doctors, there are mediocre vets. This vet, in my opinion, is one of them. As a matter of fact, he is the first vet that I have ever dealt with (over 20 years) that acted the way he did. If you knew me better, you would also know I never demand anything. Those that know me tend to think I am too diplomatic and tactful when I want to get a point across. Lastly I want to add this: my vet took a look at the x-ray this other vet took, and needless to say, my vet knows what he is talking about. The other vet obviously is not as experienced with ferret related medical problems, and it showed. I got that impression from the first moment I stepped into the office to discuss the ailing ferret's problems. It was not until much later that he admitted that, although he sees a lot of ferrets come to his office, he has to phone other vets to determine solutions. This I was thankful for, and from my point of view, expected. I am not making judgment on him being a bad vet per say (his other clients, whom I heard him talking to, love him and that's great) ... just that his manner of dealing with a person who could not afford care, who was looking to obtain more animals, left something to be desired. I just don't know if I can make this situation any clearer than that. All I suggested was for a respected voice of reason to gently talk to a client, to tell her that she needs to care for the ones she has. I think that if you were in my shoes, you would want the same thing. And isn't the bottom line here that we want the same thing? For ferrets to have the proper care they deserve. Betty and Her Blur O'Fur [Posted in FML issue 3065]