Happy Holidays 2016!

This blog is departure from my usual blog postings.  As an advocate for  organized veterinary medicine,  I have been involved in veterinary associations throughout my career.  I was honored to serve as the 2016 Chicago Veterinary Medicine Association President.  This blog is an excerpt from my last CVMA Presidents Letter for the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association Bulletin.

Happy Holidays 2016!  Happy 120th Year Anniversary of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association! 

The winter season will soon be here in the Chicago area!  Chicagoans are tough and resourceful to be able to withstand the wind and brutal temperatures we experience every winter. That said, there is beauty, peace and happiness to be found in fresh fallen snow on the Lake Michigan, Holiday lights and decorations lighting up the skyline and city streets, and a crisp winter day outside walking downtown or sledding in a park or ski area. 

Please take some time to enjoy what this season has to offer in the downtown and suburban areas. Check your community website or Facebook page for information about local seasonal events. When I lived in New York, I had a yearly tradition of a day trip into Manhattan to see the Christmas tree in Rockefeller center, view the see Macy’s Holiday display windows, and enjoy a very large cup of hot cocoa at Serendipity 3. It was always an enjoyable day no matter if it was too cold, windy, or snowy.  It only involved a train ticket downtown. It was nice to be outside in an urban area taking in the lights, sounds and delicious food of the season. The day was also good for my spirit as it helped me get through working the long and busy days around the Holidays.  Currently, I now make an effort to take a yearly December trip to downtown Chicago to see the city’s Holiday tree and decorations. I enjoy the Museum of Science & Industry’s Christmas tree display. I love seeing the Holiday trees decorated in their country’s traditional ornaments.  A last minute gift or “stocking stuffer” can be found in the gift shop or a store on the Magnificent Mile.  The day is fun and it is great to be downtown in the great city of Chicago!   

Importance of Mental and Physical Health

So many of us have daily struggles in our personal lives.  Our chosen career often only adds more pressure and stress to our lives.  We hear about emotional burnout and suicides. We watch talented co-workers leave the profession.  It is imperative to take some time for yourself to relax, renew and rejuvenate yourself.   Spend a day or even just few hours rekindling a hobby you once enjoyed. Call upon friends, neighbors, coworkers that may not have family to join your celebrations.  It is our community and relationships that make the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association and the members strong.  Enjoy the Holiday Season with your family, friends, and pets.

2017-2020 Strategic Plan

I attained my goal of  formulating a Strategic Plan for the Chicago VMA. We have included an infographic for the 2017-2020 CVMA Strategic Plan in your membership packet. It also appears in this issue of the Bulletin.  This plan outlines the 5 core areas that the CVMA will be directing its main efforts for the next 3 years. The Executive Board, Board of Directors, Executive Director is excited to have this guideline to direct our efforts.  We will be able to meet the needs of veterinarians, their hospital staff, and the pet owners in the Chicago area.  Look for future articles in the Bulletin discussing each of these core areas in detail.

 CVMA 120^th Anniversary Event: “Honoring the Past and Shaping the Future”

The CVMA 120^th Anniversary Event took place at the International Museum of Surgical Science on November 19^th.  The event was a wonderful tribute to our organization’s involvement in the Chicago veterinary community.  Local veterinarians, office staff, family and friends were in attendance.  The evening’s MC, Charles Thomas of ABC News, was very entertaining in his presentation of the Event’s Program.  Guests enjoyed delicious food and drink while taking a tour of Museum’s exhibits.  Look for a future Bulletin article highlighting this event! Please send any “Vintage” Chicago VMA photographs or Bulletins to the CVMA office. Please call the office with any past organization events that you would like highlighted on the website and future Bulletins. 

Looking to the Future

I would like to say “Thank You” the CVMA Executive Board and Chicagoland veterinarians for electing me to serve as the 2016 Chicago VMA President.   I enjoyed my year serving as your president.  It was a year of changes in the CVMA office and projects for the Board.  I am leaving the CVMA in excellent shape as I end my term.  Dr. Ben Wellborne, your 2017 President, will continue the projects and goals of the strategic plan for his term.  The CVMA has a future lineup of highly qualified and motivated veterinarians serving on the Executive Board and Committees.  I will continue to serve the CVMA as the Past-President and guide the future leaders in their duties and projects.  I have also accepted the nomination for the 2017-2018 President of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Foundation.   I am excited to volunteer for the charitable arm of the CVMA and continue to raise needed funds for Chicago pets in need. 

Chicago Veterinary Medical Association and Foundation

We are a strong unified presence of leadership and stewardship in the Chicago Veterinary Community.  Numerous state and local  veterinary medical associations across the country follow the activities of  our organization.   Let us lead veterinary medicine into the future! 

Happy New Year 2017! 

The kiss

In my daily routine, I function mostly in my own "life-bubble" world. I go about my relief days greeting veterinary clients and coworkers as friends, making personal connections and networking as much as possible.  I have been known to tell a joke or two to liven up the daily hospital routine.  I am not  "on the hunt" in my professional or personal life for potential dates.  I am usually running late and just trying to get the outpatient appointments and surgeries done for the day so that I can get home at a reasonable hour. My lunch break, if  I get one, is spent on my iPhone or reading a veterinary journal. I work long days often with a long commute home in Chicago traffic.  Who has the time and energy to look for potential men to date during the typical veterinary work day?

About 2 years ago, I was feeling depressed from a series of  first dates from a dating website that did not yield any love connections.  I decided to stop dating and planned to just concentrate on my veterinary career. This life plan would change suddenly on a September Saturday morning. This particular Saturday morning, I attended the annual local ski mountain employment meeting to sign up as a ski instructor  for the upcoming ski season. I was looking forward to chatting with  my ski coworkers that had become good friends. I saw people I knew right when I arrived and hung out with them in the long line awaiting the sign up table. I got my annual work ID  picture taken. I had just celebrated a birthday and a few friends bought me belated birthday presents.  A good friend was waiting for me at the end of the line. We skied together last ski season and enjoyed several conversations in the ski lodge. And, yes, some flirtation did occur during these conversations. But he had a girlfriend at the time so I put him in the "friend" category. Occasionally, we had chatted over the summer though Facebook.  We made tentative plans to meet up as friends for a day of summer fun but our schedules did not work out for us to get together.  Now at the ski meeting, we sat together and and caught up on our lives.  I  told him of my dating woes. That I had given up and was tired of dating. Maybe I should do what several divorced female celebrities did and just find a much younger guy to be my "boy toy." He laughed. We walked around the grass covered ski hill.

It was time to leave and he walked me back to my truck.

In the past, I have been walked back to my truck by men while in anticipation of what could possibly happen next. And, unfortunately, I have been sadly disappointed when these men just turned and walked away.  However, this man hugged me when we got back to my truck. And he hugged me in a way that I knew that he would  kiss me next.  Oh boy!  And he did. He kissed me in that awkward first kiss way. I was totally shocked. One true surprise of my life that I will never forget. I didn't know what to say after the kiss.  I was embarrassed and tried to ignore the fact that a friend just kissed me. So I did what I normally do often and well, I just kept talking about anything to hide my surprise and discomfort with this new situation.

We talked for a little while after and then went our separate ways. I got in my truck and drove home thinking "I can't believe this person just kissed me".  It was a great surprise. And it made me smile for days!



There is more to this story but I will save it for future blogs. Be sure to sign up to be notified about future installations.

Thanks for reading my blog! I promise to keep blogging on a more routine schedule! 

Life Lessons from an old dog.

As a single working gal this summer, I was running at my usual frenetic pace, not stopping my crazy work and social schedule to unpack the mountain of moving boxes stacked four levels high in my living room. After living there for 5 months, my apartment still did not have much  furniture except for a newly purchased dining room table, a large coffee table, and two dog beds. I was working long hours at day and ER veterinary practices in the city and surrounding suburbs and driving too many  hours though construction zones on way too little sleep. Initially I was organized in the move, but then began to forget where I had put important items. My faithful dog, Nikki, moved reluctantly into the new the place. She was happy to be with me but missed the large yard she claimed as her own at my sister's house.

Life and work was crazy, fun, exciting and about to teeter out of control. And I thought I was handling things well.

Life continued on this crazy pace until Nikki,  my 14 yr old dog, collapsed outside the ER in June as I was heading into the ER to work a Sunday day shift. I knew that Nikki was not exactly happy with the move to the apartment.  She hadn't been eating well for about a month and looked a little thinner. On the previous Friday, I accepted that something may be wrong and that may need some diagnostic tests.  In March,  she just had a complete blood test panel and urinalysis and all tests were completely normal.  Most older pets are finicky eaters. It really isn't a symptom of any specific disease, but it may indicate a health problem if the pet begins to lose weight or has other symptoms.  In hindsight, she was sleeping a bit more the last two weeks and slowing down on our daily walks.   

Nikki had been sick before with the several common dog illness including Lyme disease, pancreatitis, and cystitis,or urinary tract infections. However, now I could see it in her eyes that this time she was not going to recover. More diagnostic tests were done and she was diagnosed with liver cancer, that caused ascites (fluid in her abdomen) that was the cause of her inappetence. Surgery was suggested but it not more curative and  I did not believe that she would recover from it. 

My sweet old dog was dying of cancer and  did not have a lot of time left.  Acupuncture and herbal treatments would only make her more comfortable and possible stimulate her appetite.  She had to be assisted to walk with a dog sling. She had to be carefully lifted into the truck to go to work with me everyday. She was mentally present and happy to spend time with me. However, I knew the end of our time together was near. I wanted to spend as much of the time we had left together.  So I cleared my schedule. I canceled social dates. I canceled work dates. I didn't schedule any more relief shifts. Thank you to all the veterinary clinics that understood and replaced me on my shifts. Thank you to all the veterinary colleagues that worked an ER or surgery shift for me. I  stayed with Nikki all day and all night. I slowed down my frenetic pace. I spent evenings sorting though those storage boxes in the living room.  I was overjoyed to find pictures of Nikki and me together in previous years.  I tended to my sick girl and enjoyed some quality time with her. It was still not enough time. Now she was a dying dog.  I wished that I could turn back the clock to spend one last day with her when she was healthy. Soon, she was too weak to walk anymore and the life was gone in her eyes. She was humanely helped to cross over the rainbow bridge one morning at home. I had her privately cremated and have her ashes with me now.  

Since her death,  I have committed to bring more balance to my life. I stopped scheduling double relief shifts.  I only work at practices that adhere to state of the art medicine and surgery guidelines. I turn down weekend overnight ER shifts to have weekends free to enjoy life by socializing with friends, going to church, and  reading the Sunday paper. I bought a mountain bike and  enjoyed riding in on the local bike paths. I attended a veterinary conference in Chicago and carved out some personal time to see several famous tourist attractions while downtown. Life is now slower, calmer, and more enjoyable.

I miss my sweet dog and wish she could be with me to enjoy my new balanced lifestyle. It was heartbreaking to lose her so soon to a devastation illness. I thought she would be with me for a few more years.  However, I am grateful for the life lesson she taught me before she left. Nikki, Thank you so much for the joy you have given me by sharing your life with me. Until we meet again. 

Hey, are you available to IM me?

With my summer hectic lifestyle of working weekends and overnight shifts, I don't have time for singles dances or meetup functions.  I spend the rare quiet hours at the ER searching the internet dating websites for new gentlemen prospects. Initially, we send internet winks or smiles. Then, we get to know each other by exchanging emails and answering questions about our likes, dislikes, hobbies, and lifestyle. After several exchanges, I expect the guy is going to ask me out on a date. However, on several occasions, I received this message: Are you available for chat on IM?

Not exactly what I was hoping for.


Instant messaging or "IM" can fun and many things can be discovered about one another. It is great to be able to do this when I have a spare moment on a lunch break or slow time at the ER in the middle of the night. However, IMing is not dating. Isn't the ultimate goal of participating on the dating websites to meet a person for an actual date?  So then, why do guys get stuck in the IM chat mode?

Maybe the guys think they have to plan the perfect first date?  The first meeting doesn't have to be anything extravagant. A quick cup of coffee and a walk around a local park would be fine. Like most ER veterinarians, I have the attention span of a gnat and can't sit still for longer than an hour. Therefore, after a short conversation, I need to get moving!

Maybe the guys think they need to take me out for dinner at an expensive restaurant? That sounds great but most expensive restaurants make people nervous with too may forks to know how to use and too formal an atmosphere. I would rather eat at local "hole in the wall" with awesome cuisine.

Guys, listen up! I am on the computer all day writing medical records at work, checking for new emails, following friends on Facebook, repinning pictures on Pinterest, and reading animal stories on veterinary websites.  I need to step away from the computer sometime.  I will have to decline your invitation to IM chat. I am not available for a chat but I am available for a date!

"Meeting up" is not a date

When I  decided to begin dating again, I flirted with a few potential dates.  Being a successful veterinarian that is accustomed to being aggressive in my day job, I found it difficult to sit back and wait for the date offers to come to me. I emailed and even called several guys that I was interested in dating.  Finally an offer came in!   I got asked to go ice skating!!!!

Well, sort of.........it was more of  text message  "I am going ice skating today and if you go, I'll meet you there". I took this to mean a date. A date, finally a date!  And I ran to shave my legs and paint my nails....

I met the prospective gentleman at the ice rink and we had a great time.  It was fun to have an active date where one can talk for a little while and then "do something", rather than just staring at each other across a dinner table for 3 hours.

After the skating session was over, the guy was nice enough to walk me to my vehicle. Being a dating newbie, I was not sure of what should happen now. I did want to see him again and hoped to get asked out for another date. However, all I got was a quick comment:  "Thanks for coming! See ya!" and then he turned away and walked to his car.

Seriously???  No mention of a further date, no awkward quick first kiss. Nope, "meeting up" is not a date!

Don't tell your date you are a ham radio operator

This was a comment by a veterinary friend of mine when I asked for general dating advice. I am sure he meant well but I am not sure why he said it. Why wouldn't I tell my date about an exciting hobby of mine?

I am proud of being an amateur radio operator or "ham". My dad has been a ham for over 50 years. I grew up exposed to the hobby. My dad had radios, technical manuals, and electronic equipment scattered around the house. He went to the monthly ham radio meetings of several clubs. I spoke on the radio many times as a child.  While I was growing up, I put "getting my ham radio license" on my to-do list. However, as a busy college student and then even busier veterinarian, I never make the time to actually get it done.  A few years ago, a large thunderstorm hit the Chicago area. I lost power at home and couldn't access the TV weather reports. I remember the moment when I realized that if I had my ham radio license and a radio,  I would know what was happening with the storm in my immediate area.  The next day, I purchased the beginner Technician manual from the American Radio Relay League. I  read it thoroughly and  studied the current questions and correct answers before taking the test. I passed the test with a good grade and received my ham radio license in a week. I wish our tests in veterinary school gave the students all the questions and answers to study!  I joined a local club and was appointed to a committee chair position. I upgraded my technician class license to the General and Extra Class within 6 months. I purchased several radios for my house and truck. As an overachieving veterinarian, I jumped into my new hobby 110%.

A funny thing happened at a  recent dinner party when a friend  introduced me to her newly single veterinarian friend. She tried very hard to find something that we would have in common. She tried everything from skiing, hiking, colleges attended, and places we traveled. Except for our profession, we didn't share too many things. He enjoys sailing and I get seasick. I love to ski and he hates cold weather. Finally after many topics and hobbies were discussed, I told her to tell him that I am a ham radio operator. She is one of my friends that teased me about having this unusual hobby. Who else would share it in the internet and iphone age?  What man would be impressed by this hobby in a prospective date? To our amazement, he informed us that he is a ham radio operator also!!! The conversation turned to us talking about radios, antennas, clubs, and frequencies......much to our mutual friend's chagrin. We finally had a common hobby to chat about during the rest of dinner.

A final comment to my friend who said not to tell guys that I am a ham:  Thanks for the advice, but I think I will inform all prospective dates about my amateur radio hobby. They may be an amateur radio operator also!

How the dating websites helped me get a new life

One of the current dilemmas in the dating world is where to meet eligible men. After looking for single men in my social circle and not finding any potential candidates, I did what practically every newly single person does:  I  joined the dating websites. In keeping with my overachieving self, I joined a few of them at once and posted several pictures of my and my dog. Next I had to write what who I was and what I am looking for in a mate. That was easy.

Then there were the questions about my current interests, activities, and  hobbies.....

In my former life, I went skiing every weekend in the winter and traveled to a fun place once or twice a year. I was a member of a local book club, woman's club, gym, and ski club. I was an avid runner and ran local races on the weekends. I loved to cook in my nice big kitchen with my designerware baking pans. I took the dog hiking at local mountain trails. I shopped at the local malls weekly for new clothing, household items, and books to read. I went to movies and out to dinner with friends. I did a lot of things. Before. Not anymore.

Now I go to work for 12 to 20 hour shifts. In this slow economy, I must take any shift I can get. This often means I may work 10 hours per week or 60 hours per week.  On my days off, I get up early to keep a regular schedule. I watch the news and get on Facebook. Then I read business and personal emails.  I log into a few veterinary websites and read the latest news on the message boards. Then I go back to Facebook. Maybe I will do a load of laundry. The rest of the day may consist of walking the dog, microwaving dinner, and watching a year old movie on DVD only to  fall asleep half way though. Once a week, I balance my checkbook, order needed books and supplies, network for new employment, and pay bills. I attempt to read a fiction book per month. I have started several books to only get through the first few chapters.

Meanwhile, the guys on the dating websites were participating in many interesting hobbies and having awesome life experiences. They are traveling to cool places, riding their motorcycles, and sailing their boats. Some guys snowskied while others claimed to waterski. Others read books, attended concerts, and visited museums. They posted pictures of the places they visited. They posted pictures of themselves doing their cool hobbies. They seemed to be having fun lives while I was just working, walking the dog, and sleeping.

My current workaholic self would not make an interesting person to date. What would I have to talk about except veterinary medicine and Facebook?  Why wasn't I having a fun life anymore? I decided that it was time to shut off the computer and get back into life!

I  took the dog hiking in a State Park for a few days to get some fresh air and contemplate hobbies and activities that I wanted to add to my life. I love to ski so I went on a  ski vacation and  became a ski instructor at a local mountain. I started running again and joined a gym. I went to Chicago and took a boat tour of the city. I traveled to attend veterinary conventions and also spend time out of the lecture rooms to sightsee.  I forced myself to log off Facebook during lunch breaks and read a fiction book instead. I let the laundry pile up and went to the theatre to see a current movie. I didn't make it camping or to the beach this year, but there is always next year.

Now when updating my profile on the dating websites, I can list a few hobbies that I truly enjoy and actually do on a regular basis. A sincere "thank you" to all the men on the dating websites for listing all those fun hobbies and life experiences. You may not have winked back at me or answered my 5 questions, but you have done so much more for me. You gave me the jumpstart to get a new life!