[vetvetdoug]

and rapid veterinary treatment if they are ill..

I can see the deadbeats overjoyed by that one. 75% of the after hours calls I get are due to neglect and deadbeats that believe that veterinary care is a God given right and there is no reponsibility to pay. Veterinarians are private businessmen that have to pay their own bills, there is no insurance or government handouts to subsidize the care of the animals that we see that are owned by those that don't have the money to take care of the animals responsibly. No wonder there are so many British Veterinarians practicing here in the US and few, if any, American Veterinarians in Britain in private practise.

[2Trievers]

Well doc ... I can see it headed our way ... the way things are going. &;-(

... and it's nothing to smile about.

[Inge_CAV]

Vetvetdoug, meet 2Trievers. 2Trievers this is vetvetdoug. It is nice to introduce you two. : )

[Rowdee]

Hiya Doug.....I can tell you as a livestock producer, cattle, sheep, Angora Goats, chickens, ducks, geese, not to mention dog and cat owner, having a decent veterinarian is a gift from the heavens.

Just as I would forego my needs for the well-being of my daughters when they were little, so too would I do it for my pets and my livelihood.

I, for one, salute all the decent veterinarians I've worked with over the years and also the others around the country I am not acquainted with....y'all are truly one of man's best friends.