Editor’s Note — As part of our countdown to 2024, WYDaily is revisiting its most-read and favorite stories of the year. Look, I like hanging with my dog, says reporter Stephanie Sabin, who thinks it is cool to find pet-friendly places to go but, also likes sharing pet information and helping educate other pet owners. The staff at JPV were so supportive of this article and she hopes readers enjoyed seeing a cute pup, but also understanding the importance of vet visits.
HISTORIC TRIANGLE — Part beagle, part foxhound and all attitude, Ferris Bueller (no, not THAT Bueller but, definitely named after the ’80s icon) is a one-year-old pup who loves to head out on adventures and explore new places and meet people.
It is time for this puppy’s one-year checkup and vaccines which means a trip to our veterinarian, Dr. Ashley Crossman, at Jolly Pond Veterinary Hospital (JPVH).
Ferris has no fear heading into the clinic, he is a real pro considering the number of visits he has made. As a sickly underweight Homes Fur Hounds rescue, who is also a bit accident-prone, Ferris has been coming to JPVH since he was three months old.
While we were at the appointment, it was a good time to talk to Crossman about the importance of regular vet checkups and vaccines.
Regarding well pet visits, Crossman stated, “Annual wellness visits are probably the most important part of your pet’s veterinary and routine preventative care. It isn’t just the time for updating vaccinations, but a chance to pick up on small changes and abnormalities on examination and inpatient history that could allow for early identification of disease. It is also a chance to discuss behaviors, diet, activity, weight and so much more to give your pet the best quality of life we can.”
With three pets, the Sabin brood are “frequent flyers” to the vet office. Our family has built a relationship with the office, and while we love all the doctors and staff, we see Dr. Crossman as “ours.”
“The relationship between a veterinarian and a pet owner should be that of a team with the only goals being to advocate for each individual pet and to provide them with the best quality of life we can,” explains Crossman. “This will look different in each unique situation, however, it is a relationship that can only be achieved by creating an environment of mutual respect and trust. Maintaining this type of relationship with your veterinarian is invaluable to your pet’s overall care and allows for more efficient and successful identification and treatment of disease.”
This time around, our visit had to include the dreaded shots. Ferris is actually a good sport about them which is great since we are grateful for the preventative care.
“Vaccinations, whether they are considered a core vaccine such as Rabies or a lifestyle vaccine such as Leptospirosis, are one of the most effective methods we have at protecting our pets against diseases that could otherwise cause severe or life-threatening illness. It is important that each pet’s vaccination protocol is created specifically for them and what their individual exposures look like,” said Dr. Crossman.
As the appointment came to an end, Ferris was awarded with a cookie (or two) and lots of kisses, and his mom was satisfied the once tiny pup is healthy, happy and ready for more adventures around the Historic Triangle.
Happen to spot Ferris out on an adventure? Come say hello! If you have a dog-friendly suggestion you would like Ferris to consider covering or visiting, please email his mom. Hounds are not very good at responding.
