October 15

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals runs the Angell Animal Medical Center in Jamaica Plain.

I drive by this sign almost every day. The iconography is great on it, and was what originally caught my eye. I found it surprising that an animal hospital rates the "hospital" sign (H in square), but when I thought about it, realized it made sense. It's easily the largest animal hospital in Massachusetts, as well as the best emergency medical option for a sick pet.

At work, I've referred residents with sick pets here often. When Pogo, our dog, became very ill at the end of his life, we brought him here, where the vet on call was thoughtful and treated us with great sensitivity, helping us to make the difficult choice to have him put to sleep.

Dealing with a sick pet is very difficult. They can't tell you what hurts or what's wrong, yet you want to help them and make them better. The folks at Angell are wonderful at guiding pet owners through very difficult procedures and options, and helping you to make the right decision. That is invaluable.

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February 06

There comes a scene in almost any movie with a wrongly-convicted person where they're led to their prison cell, protesting their innocence all the way, even as the door shuts with a mighty final clang.

Pretty Boy must have felt something like that when he got put in the box today to go for his annual physical exam at the vet. He certainly turned on the vocals, yowling on the way to the box, yowling as he was put into the box, yowling from inside the box all the way to the vet, at the vet, and all the way back home. After we got home and he was released, he gave me some dirty looks and a few yowls and mews for effect. Pretty Boy does not like the box; he was one pissed pussycat.

Good news from the vet, too. Pretty Boy is fit, has no obvious ailments, and even has excellent teeth. He's a perfectly healthy 13-year old kitty cat, and (according to Dr. Segal) a charming one at that.

P.S. I was going to title this shot "Pussy Behind Bars," but thought better of it.

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January 19

A photograph of a photograph. It's hardly original, but there is a story behind it.

Pogo's veterinarian (Dr. Ilene Segal of Parkway Veterinary Hospital -- I can't recommend her highly enough) has done a super job keeping him healthy and keeping us informed on his progress, how to care for him properly, etc. The vet's lobby and exam rooms have some framed photos of dogs and cats for decoration, and as a little thank you for her hard work, I decided to give her a photograph (with the hope that she'll decide to display it).

The photograph shows Lola and Riley, two King Charles Spaniel pups, in their Sherpa bag, ready to go for an outing. You can see the original photo on my flickr account. Lola and Riley's human lives in the building where I work, and she's been gracious enough to let me take pictures of these delightful little doggies a few times.

Of course, having my name out there on the photo (discretely signed on the mat in the lower right hand corner) doesn't hurt, either.

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