Page 2 - Eamono Connell News Today

A package arrived to our veterinary practice last week and to say it was overdue would be an understatement. I peeled back the wrapping and peered at the contents feeling a mixture of relief and disappointment.

Situation in hospitals is historically worse at Christmas, says INMO, while fire brigade issues warning over overcharging electrical items and using candles

"You always seem to know the right time to arrive,” a farmer said to me. “You must have a great sense of smell.”

I had a half hour to spare in town and I thought I’d get a head start on the Christmas shopping. Luckily for me, I am married to a woman who leaves nothing to chance when it comes to making sure the correct presents are under the tree on Christmas morning. So, knowing exactly what I needed to get, it was an easy task.

About 15 years ago, my boss decided the clinic needed a spring clean. Various bottles and containers were taken from the back of shelves and dusted down, having not seen the light of day for quite some time.

I made a fatal error the other night involving hot chocolate. My four-year-old daughter gave me the big puppy-dog eyes, just as the clock showed that it was time for bed. “Can I pleeeeeease have a hot chocolate Dad?” she asked, batting her eyelashes with a pout on her face.

The farmer gave a wry smile and a wink to his son when he asked me, “What new disease are ye going to go after when ye have this one sorted?”. He was referring to TB, as the last of his cows ambled out of the crush, giving him the all-clear for this herd test.

Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink. This summed up my day last week when I arrived back at the clinic after a couple of hours’ work.

I made a trip to our local co-op last week with my eldest lad to get a few bits and bobs for the ‘ranch’.

A vet’s job is to make sick animals better. That’s a very simplistic view, but as a rule of thumb, that’s how it’s supposed to go. When you have an animal that is unwell, you ring the vet with the hope that, armed with the knowledge, the expertise and the meds, they will make the animal well again.