"An Animal Is Just An Animal" PART II

And now the continuation of Monty's saga (from here).

After leaving Monty in the care of the "world class" University of Saskatchewan Veterinary Clinic, I made my way home. It was tough. Having grown used to his presence, coming home to an empty apartment was a sober reminder that I was all by my lonesome after moving to Saskatoon. Pets can provide the unconditional love and companionship that our human souls require, not to mention offer a great stress relief after a tough day at the office. During this transitional period of my life, Monty offered me that in spades. Over the next week, however, premature signs of aging were brought on by other thing$. 

I never begrudge anyone from trying to make a profit and veterinary medicine can be just as capitalistic as any other venture. It's finding a veterinarian that shows genuine concern for your pet that may be a challenge. In bringing Monty to the U of S Veterinary Clinic, I was under the assumption that their advanced technology coupled with the drive of some ambitious students would result in my pooch being diagnosed and treated in a reasonable timeframe by people who cared about the end-result. Instead, I was talked into taking numerous tests. Tests that I initially questioned, but proceeded with as they were the professionals (and I am but a lowly blog author). Tests that came with a very, VERY unexpectedly high price tag. The U of S Veterinary Clinic is not like getting your hair trimmed for $5 by a beauty college student - even though interns are treating the animals, the fees are double what you'd pay from someone already established in the field. My initial quote of $700-$900 quickly rose within the span of 24 hours to over $1500 with no official diagnosis in sight.

My concern about the spiraling costs reached one of the students working on Monty and he called me one evening after-hours. I was informed that they had several theories as to what brought about his lethargic behavior, but until they could confirm it 100%, they would have to proceed with more testing (it was school policy). Testing that would make my quote double again by the next day's afternoon. Testing that may come back inconclusive. The student predicted that my bill would probably end up over $5000...and that figure didn't include actual treatment costs: "as a student in debt, I understand your financial concerns. Going forward will be costly" the student related. "You have to ask yourself if it's worth it. Unless you have the funds to see this through for your own peace of mind, I would try and remember that at the end of the day, an animal is just an animal."

But Monty is not just an animal. He is my friend. He is a family member. And it's my responsibility as his owner to look after him. I needed a second opinion. I pulled Monty out of the U of S Veterinary Clinic the next morning. 

Westward Animal Hospital is a short distance away from my apartment. It is housed in an unassuming building and staffed with cheerful employees including my new vet for life, Dr. David Nairn. They took Monty in on short notice and within 10 minutes concluded that he was suffering from a bacterial infection, prescribing an overnight stay on an IV as well as some antibiotics (testing for a bacterial infection was something the U of S did NOT do despite my initial concerns expressed to them that he contracted something from doggie daycare). Within a few days Monty returned home and was back to his old, er, young puppy self. Dr. Nairn repeatedly called to ensure he was doing okay. I never heard from the U of S again.

Total bill? Less than $695.00. My final invoice from the U of S? I paid over $1250.00 for the privilege of having my pet be the subject on someone's thesis statement. 

It is no surprise that I am not the only one who feels swindled.  

Your Sometimes Weekly Monty:

It's Monty's first weekend back home after spending some time in care for treatment of what turned out to be a bacterial infection. That story will be continued in part II of "An Animal is Just an Animal", but at this time I would like to thank Dr. David Nairn of Westward Animal Hospital for all his help.  

"An Animal Is Just An Animal" PART I

'Your Weekly Monty' is momentarily interrupted. The poor wee guy is sick, feverish and currently in care. I may be committed also, as paying the bill is surely going to illicit a heart attack. So grab the defibrillator ...I may not make it out of this post alive. 

A healthy puppy is an active puppy. When Monty returned from doggie daycare last Thursday, he was (as usual) a tired pooch. This was no surprise. But when his lethargy extended into Friday...and then Saturday, I became worried. In addition to inactivity, there was also loss of appetite. My intuition told me to seek immediate care. After-hours on the weekend, there are few options available, which is why I was happy to be in the same city as the world-class veterinary clinic located at the University of Saskatchewan. They offer 24/7 service. They offer a gold standard of care. However, I didn't know that upon departure I would be sick to my stomach. 

After being granted entrance, I made my way through the empty waiting room to speak to the receptionist. Her first words weren't "hello" or "how can I help you?"...no, she immediately turned to the student intern who would be examining Monty and stated "there goes my break". I'm always offended by terrible customer service, but reconsidered my stance for this unique situation: she WAS trying to read a 2-month old copy if InStyle Magazine...Jennifer Aniston's love life (or lack thereof) IS wholly more important than admitting a sick patient promptly. 

After being led to a backroom, the student intern went over Monty's medical history. Up-to-date with all shots and with no prior history of illness, I addressed my concerns that he may have picked something up at doggie daycare or was having a difficult time digesting his first bone (which was given to him earlier in the week). Both of these "amateur" theories were glossed over and a series of scientific tests were suggested. It was also advised that Monty stay in care at the U of S until at least Monday when the first series of tests would reveal their results. An initial estimate of $700-$900 was provided and I signed off on it. Monty WAS in the care of a world class facility after all. If the U of S couldn't make him better, no one could. 

Or not. 

to be continued...

Obladaisms

- Life is random. And so is www.chatroulette.com I read a lot of news articles on this anti-social networking tool this morning and had to check it out for myself. Holy bananas, is this website nuts!!! Part of me is recoiling in horror, the other half is admittedly intrigued - it's basically an online version of russian roulette with fewer bullets and slightly less innocence. It's the reason Al Gore invented the internet in the first place; the ultimate unfiltered social barometer, humanity at it's best/worst. 

Chatroulette.com enables you to videochat with someone selected entirely by luck of the draw. They might want to chat about world events, they might want to chat about their love of cheese. They may like to wear Hawaiian shirts, they may like to wear considerably less. You control who you talk to by clicking "next". As an example, here is a random sampling of people I encountered in my first 30 seconds:

- Teenage boy
- "Boobs for Haiti" sign
- Roomful of 20-somethings having a party
- Bored Eastern European female searching for a husband
- Hairy, naked dude 

It takes a mighty heart (and stomach) to get in the game. How brave are you to play Chat Roulette?

Introducing...

...MONTY! aka Montgomery, aka McNugget, aka Sir Mix A Lot. He's a 5 month old "eskipoo" that is the quietest wee pup I've ever encountered. He's already learning from big bro Reggie (aka Reginald, aka McDude, aka Snoop Dogg), loves going for walks, is mesmerized by the television set and has a taste for the finer things in life (but oddly, does not like Milkbones). Monty will be the inspiration as I launch this in the near future.

If you see him out-and-about, feel free to say hello. Or sniff his butt. Either way, he's friendly. 

Happy Valentine's Day

I be spending it with these:

Clockwise from Top Left: The Confession (Cherry), White Chocolate Berry, The Confession (Cherry), Our American Cousin (Mexican Vanilla), Little Green Men (Mint), The Prohibitionist (Rum Butter), High Risk (Orange)

Saskatoon vs. Winnipeg (EDIT)

Somewhat settled in, I finally have time to properly write about my first impressions of Saskatoon and...I love it here! Manitobans are raised to hate on our prairie counterpart to the West. It's actually part of the curriculum in middle school. From playful, booze-fueled taunting at a Banjo Bowl tailgate party to a former crown corporation* using questionable stereotypes as a punchline in their recent advertising campaign, Saskatchewan is the butt of many jokes - and I heard them all, thrice, when I informed people of my relocation plans. But I can alter your perception, change your opinion and make you question everything you think you know (including the existence of Cher).

Here are my reasons why Saskatoon > Winnipeg:  

1) Safe, Lively Downtown  I would not live in downtown Winnipeg. At times, I didn't like working in downtown Winnipeg. It's a depressing place suffering from neglect, apathy and one dozens of boarded-up buildings that may or may not be used to store Jimmy Hoffa's corpse.

Compared to downtown Saskatoon, where I have taken up residence, I have yet to be confronted by - or even encounter - any vagrants, the sidewalks are phlegm-free and people actually take the time to say 'hello' to each other. Plus, we're getting a grocery store soon. Automatic win.

2) Circle Drive  It's not technically a circle, more like a deflated octogon that is missing a few sides. But nonetheless, Circle Drive BLOWS MY MIND! It is an incredibly efficient way to get around the city and the closest thing I have encountered to a freeway on the prairies. Sure, Winnipeg has the Perimeter...but you are pretty much out in the boonies for 85% of its duration (the other 15% lies near the outskirts of *shudder* Transcona). To get anywhere within the city, you are forced to trek down a route that has a stoplight at every block...none of which are synchronized.  

3) Bridges  Seriously, who doesn't love a good bridge? They make traversing the water so much drier.

4) Super Wal-Mart  I have never claimed to be classier than a 70s-era polyester leisure suit. And when I need to buy one, I head to Walmart. I can now fill my cart with all the tacky clothing, bulk toilet paper and arterie-clogging food I desire as Saskatoon has not only one, but two(!) SUPER Wal-Marts! It's like taking a daytrip to Grand Forks...only without the border hassle, poor exchange rate and boring as hell two hour drive. If a Target comes here, I think I will spontaeously combust from the excitement.

5) Bonanza  Bizarrely, Saskatoon does not have a Taco Bell...but there is a Bonanza Steakhouse. I wrote a blog post long, long ago that talked about my love for this restaurant chain. When I was a child, my family would go there every payday for a nice flame-grilled steak. It was a simple time before boys, zits and puberty and I look back on it fondly. They've since filed for bankruptcy, but Saskatchewan remains a viable market and is currently the only place in Canada where you can dine at one.

So excuse me while I get dressed in my finest paisley garb and head out for an evening of fine dining making out like a swine at the all-you-can-eat buffet.

EDIT: I would like to add a sixth point that I discovered just this afternoon. The Province of Saskatchewan provides FREE wireless internet across the business districts of Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw. Progressive. 

*Try making fun of Toronto. You will hurt their feelings.

Obladaisms

• This is hilarious. One day I shall contribute some of my own freelance experiences - including shameless requests for unpaid work favors and the always comical (if only in retrospect) excuses given when collecting on overdue invoices. In the words of Rodney Dangerfield, designers "don't get no respect." Also, in the words of the Yip Yip Martians, "yip yip yip yip yip uh huh uh huh". 

• Will write a longer post about my first week in Saskatoon later, but just wanted to give a shout-out to two of my favorite things: pizza and cupcakes. Voted best in the city for the past seven years, Vern's Pizza is one of the most delicious pies I have EVER had. It also weighs a tonne...they don't skimp on the toppings! Secondly, The Cupcake Conspiracy should probably be excommunicated for their sinful offerings. Drooling at "The Prohibitionist" and "The Confession". Thank god there's a gym at my residence. :S