the DVM life - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Many of my professors will agree. Letting your dog lick you all over the face is unsanitary.

Studies have suggested that a dog's mouth has less bacteria than a human mouth.

To that we say: do you have any idea how many bacteria that still is!?! Way too many.

They also lick their butts. Then they lick you. The equivalent of you licking dog butt. Hey, I'm not going to judge if you like licking dog butt, but I'm not up for it.

Therefore, if you're offended that I'm not letting your dog lick my face, I'm offended at you.

Last week we had a lab at school where students could bring their own dogs.

One of my lab mates was happy to bring hers: an over enthusiastic lab who did not understand any obedience. Needless to say the lab didn't go well for that dog and they ended up getting the boot. It couldn't hold still, was like a maniac on crack and snapped at the restrainer.

Even vets (future vets) have poorly behaved animals. It is embarrassing. Especially when compared to the other dogs. All the other dogs were well behaved, sitting calmly, letting their owners focus on the clinical experience.

My lab mate was disappointed in her dog. I wouldn't have tried to bring her in the first place; clearly the dog could be called out of control. I have no idea why people let their animals get to be such jackasses. They just say "Oh, she's just so happy/excitable." No, you just can't lay down the law.

Currently I do not have a dog. I do not have the time available to care for one. Taking proper care of a dog takes a lot of work. Someday when I have more free time, perhaps I will get one. And I can guarantee you that it will be well behaved. I won't tolerate anything otherwise.

Now, I do have an aggressive lagomorph. But I don't bring him to public settings and I sure don't let him get near anyone except me. I always caution visitors: Do not try to touch him, do not go near his cage, never put your hand near him, generally just leave him the hell alone.

And it works great. Anytime he's been in contact with veterinary staff they've gotten the full warning from me. I didn't raise him from a baby, I adopted him with full knowledge that he was aggressive (about to get the sleepy juice for biting people, in fact). I can handle him, highly experienced rabbit people can handle him, end of story.

Am I going to try to rehab him to cuddle other people? No. My goal is just to make it so he won't try to take your face off. In the meantime, stay the hell away.

Is it any different from me owning an aggressive dog? I think so, because:

a) He's not in public.
b) A rabbit bite may hurt but (usually) won't take you to the hospital.
c) Few people interact with him. Actually, it's just me 99% of the time...
d) I don't pass his aggression off as "cute". I know it and give due warning.

In short, I honestly believe bad dogs come from bad owners. Sure there are some exceptions. But I think at the core of the issue, people need to stop seeing them as people stuck in dog bodies and recognize that they are animals who need leadership.

I know this will get me some flak from the cutesy-woo type of owners. To them I say: are your dogs well behaved? Will they walk obediently beside you? Will they be quiet on command? Can they stay, refrain from licking others in the face, and not jump all over visitors? If they can, then fine. Keep doing what you're doing, props to you. There are many opinions on animal handling in the world. If what you're doing results in a well behaved dog then we're probably on the same page.

It's the ones with the poorly behaved dogs who don't get a backbone to correct bad behavior that get my frown.

Goals:

1) Complete vet school.
2) Internship? Residency? Stay with mom and work at local clinic?
3) Save up money
4) Used saved money to attend culinary school
5) Attend culinary school (pastry specific)
6) Meanwhile, work part time as a vet to pay bills
7) Get pastry degree
8) Work part time as a pastry chef/vet
9) Save up money
10) Open my own bakery
11) Make said bakery lucrative

Beautiful, no?