New Year's Resolutions: Your Pet's Doctor for December 27, 2007

Seems inevitable, doesn't it?

Because we think positively, and despite the fact that psychologists say it's nearly useless to make New Year's resolutions, we do it anyway.

So, why should Your Pet's Doctor buck the trend? Let's explore ways to make our part of the world a better place for our animal companions in 2008. After all, there is nothing we're more passionate about than helping animals!

Why not start with outreach? If there is a humane shelter in your community, they can use your help. If you think you can't bear to go to the shelter and see the sad eyes of the dogs and cats there (or you think you'll end up taking all of them home), be assured there are other ways to help, if that's your resolution:

Donate money to assist with operating costs

Donate pet food

Donate your time to off-site adoption and education events around town, or any of the many other society-sponsored events

Become a foster home for those pets who are not quite well enough to be adopted out yet.

Work in your shelter's fund-raising efforts, such as the Thrift Store of the Humane Society of South Mississippi

Work in pre-adoption counseling to educate potential adoptors to understand the costs (in both time and money) and responsibilities of adopting a pet Help with painting and remodeling if you have handyman or construction skills

If you can work directly with the animals, there's everything from cleaning and grooming to medicating and assisting on-site veterinarians. You might even enjoy volunteering in spay/neuter facilities.

What about animals closer to home? Is there a family in your neighborhood who can't quite make ends meet, and their pet is having to do without? Perhaps you could make this the year to resolve to transport the pet to your veterinarian, or the doctor of their choice. If they need financial assistance, maybe you could go together with neighbors to help. In the process, you might meet some really great people you didn't know. That's not a bad New Year's resolution in itself.

Even closer to home, are there changes you can make for your own pet's care?

Do you give his heartworm preventive on time every month? If you need to be more punctual, remember that every preventive medication comes with stickers for your calendar, and most manufacturers have links on their Web sites that allow you to have a monthly email and/or automated phone call every month as a reminder.

Have you taken your dog for a nice long walk in the neighborhood? You know how much he likes to smell those fence posts and fire hydrants, visit with the neighbor's dog, and get those homemade dog cookies from Mrs. Wilson.

Has it been more than twelve months since his last doctor visit? The annual physical examination is the most important part of the visit, whether or not vaccinations are due. Let's resolve to keep those preventive care visits on schedule annually.

When is the last time you brushed your cat's coat? Remember those sweet purring/moaning sounds he makes because it feels so good? If he requires anesthesia for grooming intractable mats, it can be expensive. It's a preventable problem, and the benefits are heavenly.

Speaking of brushing, is this the year you actually follow through on that resolution to brush your pet's teeth every day? Look at those gingival pockets your veterinarian pointed out to you after the last dental scaling and polishing. Have they filled up with calculus again? Are the gums receded even further? If so, after this cleaning, let's keep that resolution and keep those endangered teeth as long as possible.

Is there one thing that only you can do for your pet that's his most favorite thing? For your cat, is it throwing the candy wrapper for him to retrieve, or chasing the peacock feather that's crammed in the back of the closet? For your dog, is it just sitting in your lap, being spoken to softly? Chasing the ball or Frisbee?

In Matthew 25:40 Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these...you did for Me." As a believer who is also a veterinarian, I can't help trusting that He meant the little animals, as well as the little children.

What a great way to start a new year. Next Column