The Barn by Ralph Hagen for March 08, 2024

From Not Always Right: Just Tell Them They Will Get Dog Breath

(I’m a receptionist for a busy veterinarian office. We have a strict policy of not giving medical advice over the phone for the protection of the patients, as I am not a medical professional; I am a receptionist with zero medical training. A frantic woman calls.)

Caller: “What’s going to happen to me? I used my dog’s toothbrush!”

Me: “I don’t believe anything should happen to you, but if you’re worried, you should call your own doctor for advice.”

Caller: “But don’t you know?! You know about dogs; you should know what will happen to me!”

(Both my other phone lines are now ringing.)

Me: “I cannot give medical advice over the phone. Also, we are a veterinarian. If you need medical advice for people, you need to speak to a human doctor.”

Caller: “But don’t you know? You know about dogs.”

Me: repeating myself “I really cannot give medical advice for pets or humans. If you are worried, call your own doctor. Now, I need to answer some other calls.”

Caller: “Okay. I just don’t understand why you can’t tell me what will happen to me.”

(I had to hang up on the woman because she wouldn’t stop whining about it.)

NOT my story.

Let me grab my smallest violin.

And to think Ozzy and Sharon Osburne actually encourage their dogs to lick their mouths. They probably have someone to brush their dogs teeth after every meal!

where else has that tongue been

He thought you were a salt lick.

Awwww! But I can relate, Rory!

I’ll take the puppy breath. Right now, with two Corgi pups under a year old running around the house, I’ll be getting it anyway.

my big-boy used to wake me up by breathing on my face. when he passed, I missed that warm wake up and happy smile.

Love can take your breath away.

I really like how Ralph silhouettes characters as they leave the scene, to keep our focus where intended.