 | Animal Crackers Newsletter Archive 2000 |
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Greenbrier Veterinary Hospital Archived Newsletter Articles 2000
The Mysterious Case of "the Trash Bag Dog" 
Back in June, a good samaritan noticed a badly injured dog with a plastic garbage bag wrapped around its neck. She brought him to Dr. Mohler, who found that he had extensive head trauma, was very emaciated and had puncture wounds on his abdomen and legs. His prognosis was very bleak. He had neurologic and liver damage from the trauma and was barely alive. The good samaritan said she would like to keep him if he recovered, so Dr. Mohler went to work. After some intensive fluid therapy, treatment for shock and lots of good nursing care from our techs (who fell in love with his sweet personality) the dog was up and about and made a wonderful recovery. Thanks to the efforts of the good samaritan, Stephanie Hicks, and Dr. Mohler, the trash bag dog almost literally came back from the dead, thus earning his new name, Lazarus! Lazarus is at home with Stephanie and is doing great. He is still a little shaky in the rear limbs from his head trauma, but he is a sweet and gentle dog who is enormously appreciative of his good fortune in finding such a good home. | ||
Hospital Happenings!!!Hospital ExpansionThe big news around here is our new construction. No doubt everyone who has been in recently has noticed that we are adding a 4500 square foot addition to the hospital. It will be built on the side of the existing hospital (where the old parking lot was) and will contain a large new waiting room with separate dog and cat areas, new reception desk and four new exam rooms. We will also have additional kennel space as well as a new grooming facility. Moving grooming up front will give us some much needed space in the back for a special procedures room for endoscopy, ultrasound, and dentals, and some additional space for hospitalized animals. It will be wonderful to have enough room to spread out a little. It has been getting increasingly more crowded and hectic at the front desk. This expansion will allow us to wait on both people and animals much more efficiently and comfortably. We apologize for the inconvenience during the construction and hope you will bear with us. It will all be worth it in the end! We hope to be in the new addition in April or May. We'll have a big open house and hope to see you all there. Hospital MilestonesThis is also a milestone year for another reason. Greenbrier Veterinary Hospital will celebrate its thirtieth anniversary this year. Dr. Wilson has done a wonderful job of providing service for the community by always thinking of the future. Our current expansion is the latest in a long progression of improvements he has made in the building, diagnostic equipment, and services. Dr. Wilson has been exceptionally busy this year. He recently became a grandfather for the first time, when little Abigail Wyatt Fife, daughter of Randy and Kate Wilson Fife was born on January 3. Between building and babies, he's been hopping. He seems to thrive on the activity, though! New Additions To Hospital!Welcome Dr. BaumThis has been an eventful year for us. Our new associate, Dr. Rebecca Baum, started in July. She is a local girl, and graduated from vet school at VPI. She enjoys horseback riding and being back home in Greenbrier County. Clients and patients alike have benefited from her enthusiasm and expertise, so come in and meet her! Congratulations to Dr. MohlerAnother happy change has occurred. Dr. Keefer recently became Dr. Mohler when she married Dr. Craig Mohler of Union. Craig is retired from veterinary practice and serves as editor of the Monroe Watchman and also as a Monroe County Commissioner. They were married on May 19, 2000 on the shore of the Norridgewock Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. The ceremony was attended by a small group of family and close friends. The couple traveled New England on their honeymoon. They reside in Union with a large group of furry, feathery and scaly pets. Craig and Sue are very appreciative of everyone's well wishes. A Sad NoteDr. Vandevender LeavesOn a sad note, Dr. Vandevender is no longer with us. She is now working in Beckley. We appreciate the good work she did for us and wish her well in the future. Featured Breed - the all-American Mutt!!!
I usually take the space to educate readers about the history and the pros and cons of a specific breed. This time I'm going to extol the virtues of the best dog of all - the mutt. After all, most of us belong to the mutt fan club (I've never owned a purebred dog). Mutts don't care if they look a little scruffy, in fact a good mud bath is one of life's finest pleasures, along with rolling in the most disgusting, smelly dead things they can find. You won't catch mutts working hard at doing anything but hanging with their owners, laying in the sun, and just generally having a good time. But when you need a buddy to go travelling, just open that car door and they're ready to roll! So for exceptional companionship, loyalty and just plain coolness, we salute the mutts of the world! | ||