But my head told my heart

Tomorrow marks the end of week 1 of welfare rotation.  It has been very interesting so far.  Some sad moments, tough conversations and cold trips outside -- all very eye-opening.  I tend to be a pretty laid-back person.  It's nice to have a rotation that makes me think through non-medical situations that may present themselves to me in the future.  It helps to have a good group of people to think through issues with and a great discussion facilitator to bring up viewpoints that we hadn't considered or questions that hadn't crossed our minds.  Even when some of the issues are controversial, our group discusses things very appropriately.  There have been so many situations this year when people are not level-headed and discussions turn personal.  It's often so difficult to push aside our subjective opinions that influence the way we address touchy issues.  Our heart and heads often do not speak the same language.  As a future veterinarians, our medical knowledge and our desire to pick up and cuddle an abandoned puppy often conflict. 

At the end of the day, I'm so glad to come home to my two rescue dogs.  Neither of them came from very good situations.  Some sort of abuse or neglect played a role in both of their previous lives.  Even when I'm gone all day to class or on rotation, I know they have better lives now than before.  Addie especially has come a long way from when I first got her in the fall of 1st year.  She was a mess physically and emotionally.  I had no idea what I was getting into when she jumped in the back of my car and sat there expecting to go home with me.  She was covered in mats and had a body condition score of about a 1.5 or 2 if I'm being generous.  After shaving half her body and giving her a bath, she paced wearily around my trailer.  She was afraid of sudden movements, lots of noises, excited or angry voices, the kitchen floor, dog toys and spray bottles.  (I figured the spray bottle thing out from using cleaning supplies.)  Overtime Addie has become a well-adjusted dog.  She is still sensitive like all collies are, but she resembles the dog I found in 2007 in very few ways.  

Even after adopting them, it's hard to feel like I've made a difference in the big scheme of things.  There are so many homeless pets continually available.  I guess in the end, maybe I did, maybe I didn't, but I know I am a different person because of them and for that I am grateful.

Social Network

"You don't get 500 million friends without making a few enemies."

This past weekend I went to the movie "Social Network" with my sister Sadie and my good friend Anna.  It was an entertaining movie filled with words that reminded me of my old days in computer classes.  The movie was basically a history of Facebook, or The Facebook as it originally began.  It was interesting to see what Mark has gone through since 2003.  I looked up the "History of Facebook" on Wikipedia afterwards to double check some of the parts of the movie, and it all checked out.  It turns out Napster and Facebook really are related.  Who would have thought my two favorite websites in college were linked.  I joined The Facebook in 2004, the first year it could be accessed outside of Harvard University.  When I first joined The Facebook, it was a fun way to write little things about myself, my interests, my classes, etc.  Now it has turned into the primary way I keep in contact with high school friends and relatives that live out-of-state.  Facebook was actually the primary means of communication between Nate and I when we first met.  I have a near 50-page Word document of our messages back and forth to each other from the first few months-- those were the days before Facebook Chat.

The best part of seeing the movie Social Network wasn't the movie, it was the people I spent the time with.  If babies can have friends, I have been friends with Anna for 25 years.  Even though I'm only 3 hours away from home during vet school, I don't get to go home nearly as much as I would like.  As graduation draws closer, I look forward to spending more time with the people that have shaped me into the person I am today.

Veterinarian's Oath

"Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of livestock resources, the promotion of public health and the advancement of medical knowledge.


I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.


I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence."


In approximately 7 months, this is the oath that I will take when I graduate from vet school.  It's amazing to me that this journey of veterinary school is almost complete.  I remember the day I sat in Jimmy John's and told my mom that I wanted to change my major like it was yesterday.  Now I'm suppose to be entering the real world with a knowledge base that allows me to be a practicing veterinarian.  I'm not so sure that I'm ready for that responsibility.  Hopefully the next 7 months will make me feel much more competent than I currently feel.


Don't get me wrong, I am excited.  I'm not just a bundle of nerves.  I am looking forward to living on my own, in my own house without wheels, with my dogs.  I am looking forward to a routine that doesn't change every 2 weeks.  I'm looking forward to making decisions for my patients based on my research and not someone else's knowledge.  When my mind starts running a million miles per hour with all the things I'll need to know and do and how much I will be depended on -- I remind myself that I will have to take it day by day, case by case and that Iowa State HAS provided me with a knowledge base that allows me to be a practicing veterinarian.  


If all else fails, I can just google it, right?  Wikipedia anyone?