My sister, who lives in Rochester, NY, sent me a page from PET SHOWOFF! This is a great newsletter put out by the Monroe Veterinary Associates of Pittsford, NY. The animal hospitals have been around since 1969 and now offer some great information. I am going to imitate them and tell you some of the topics. Carolyn Fisher, DVM, wrote the column on "Choosing a Vet," but I added my own take on things.

I will start with how to choose the right veterinarian for you and your pets. People have many different personalities, different opinions on what is good pet care etc., so it figures that we would require different kinds of vets. The article tells people that if you have just moved to a new area, you need to ask around about which vets people like. This will narrow your search and find out if there are any or several horror stories. Of course, you might not agree after your first meeting even though he or she is highly recommended. Keep looking and you will find just the right person.

When you first visit a clinic, check if the staff is friendly to you and on the telephone. Ask for a tour. Any reputable clinic will be happy and proud to show you around. The hospital should be clean and not smell awful. There may be an animal smell, but it should not smell of waste. The waiting room and examining room need to be very clean to be acceptable.

I once worked for an animal eye specialist and he had no partner and apparently no cleaning service or enough employees. His place got dirtier by the week and the back where the animals recovered was atrocious. He also had no regard for himself. I saw him cut into a birthday cake with a scalpel that had not been cleaned. I quit after a few weeks. This was very unusual, I think.

You also want to find out if the vet has grooming and boarding facilities. If you have to leave your pet while you go on a trip, you want a fenced and safe place. If the dogs are walked on leashes and have no access to outside otherwise, I would not want them to stay there for more than a few days. But that's me. I would always choose a pet sitter.

When you take your pet in for the first visit, observe how she is handled and how the vet reacts when you ask questions. He or she should be patient, knowledgeable, show a liking for animals, and be calm. You need to choose a specialist if you have a pet bird, fish, or unusual pet. You want to know if your new vet has emergency hours or where you have to go if she doesn't.

I'll never forget the experience with my cat, Half Tone. I took her to a very personable vet, who was from Oklahoma originally. He was so nice, but when he put Half Tone on a scale and she moved, he plopped her down really hard and pressed on her, and I saw him grit his teeth in anger. End of relationship with him! A word to vets: people really pick up on your mood, so if you are having a bad day, get a grip, take a minute, or cancel your appointments. Animals also sense how a doctor is feeling. I took Brindle to a new vet in New Jersey and he was so nervous that she, who was the queen of calm, began to shake, and we were all a wreck by the end of the appointment.

Yet another time, I took my dear Brindle to a vet in New Jersey, who proceeded to tie her with ropes to his table. She did not know what bite meant; she was so gentle and I told him. He told me some crap about how you shouldn't own a big dog you can't handle. Listen, buster, I took Brindle to nursing homes and elementary schools. He gruffly continued, made her cry, and only released her when I told him to and announced that we were leaving. I should have stopped him when he first got out the ropes, but I was too shy then. He obviously hated people or women or something.

I once found it impossible to warm up to a vet who would only euthanize a pet if he or she was terminally ill. He did not care that some old pets, who are healthy but spoiled and used to only one owner, could not possibly adjust to life with anyone else or in a shelter. I am talking over ten years old. He would have made the pet endure that stress, just so that he could say he had not euthanized a healthy animal. I had to look for a doctor who was willing to honor my wishes if something were to happen to both my husband and myself. Oh, people say they will take your pet and they mean well, but when the time comes, will they? What if their situations have changed? Your pet could end up in a shelter.

I also had to find a vet who would understand if I could not or did not want every new vaccination or treatment that comes along. Now when I take my pets to see him, we are all happy. He is gentle and patient; the most important qualities to me.

So, check it out and do not be afraid to speak up. Remember, this is your best and most trusting friend we're talking about.

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