We like sharing comments and stories submitted by our special patients and their families. If you would like to send us a story of your own, we would love to hear from you. Please email it along with a picture of your pet to: info@centerforvetspecialtycare.com
Andie
Dear Dr. Gulikers,
As another January approaches, Phil and I are amazed at how fast a year has flown by. It was in January of this year that we finally had to let our Andie leave us in peace. Without you, Dr. Thompson, and all the Staff at the Center for Veterinary Specialty Care, we would not have had our last precious year with our best girl ever. Andie was a rescue. She was the first rescue for us, and we will never think of opening our hearts to any other fuzzy face that isn't from that same situation. We have had other wonderful pups, but Andie was—without a doubt—a very special little heartbeat that slept at our feet.
With Andie's months in and out of your hands-on care, everyone at the Center showed compassion and sensitivity in dealing with her and us. With every twist and turn that Andie's illness took, you kept us informed and did everything possible to give her the best quality of life. For that we will always be grateful.
Andie had a specialness that seemed to shine from her eyes and make everyone who met her feel happy! We miss her and that radiance. After months of teary eyes and lumps in our throats, hardly a day goes by that we don't mention her name, but now with a smile on our faces. Time for healing helps. She was the best, and so are you, Dr. G!
So, as January approaches we remember Andie and a special gentle-man, Dr. Keven Gulikers. A Thank You will never totally convey our appreciation to you and the Staff for extending our time with our Andie.
Most sincerely,
Marti and Phil Mayben
Luna
Hi Dr. Gulikers –I know it’s been a while since I updated you, but I went to Oklahoma over the holidays with Luna and she was running and playing in the snow and acting crazy. My parents couldn’t believe she had been so sick and were just in shock at how good she was doing. I just wanted to give you an update and share some pictures from a few days ago. She’s back up to 41 lbs She is back to all of her old tricks of eating my plants and terrorizing the cat.I really appreciate all of your help with Luna and I know that the only reason she is still here is because of your care and advice.I hope you had a great holiday season.
Thanks again,
Chris Janzen
Moose
I want you to know how important you were to both Moose and me…I know he had a chronic disease, and yes, I know it was, eventually, terminal. But what in life isn’t? You gave me hope that it might not be. Every day was a gift and I so thank you for all those days.
You and all the wonderful people at the clinic were so good to both Moose and me and made it so much easier.
I am sorry I haven’t been able to transfer the picture I took of you and Moose, yet. But attached are some pictures of Moose that were taken by a friend of mine last summer.
With deepest gratitude and appreciation,
Moose’s mom,
Pat
Nikko
Dr. G,
I wanted to send you a quick update to let you know Nikko is doing awesome! With this beautiful weather, he now wants to be an outside cat where he continues to mow the lawn, chase squirrels, and sleep under the trees. I wonder if he thinks he’s a wild cat now which you’ll see in the picture attached. He cries at the door to go outside every morning and he actually bit Jason the other day when he tried to bring him back inside.
We are so thankful that Nikko is enjoying the best years of his life all thanks to you and your excellent care!
Sincerely,
Brittanie Buchanan
Andy
Andy was thirteen before he had any major health issues. He was a smart, sweet, pretty little dog and everyone that met him loved him. Then, in January of 2010, we woke up one morning and he couldn’t get up. Both of his hind legs had become paralyzed. Our doctor referred him to Neurosurgery at The Center for Veterinary Specialty Care. We had been to the facility for emergencies before, but had no experience with the specialists and daytime staff.
Thus started a bittersweet journey that ended in late June of 2011. During that time, Andy had many health issues, from the paralysis to several internal problems and diseases to a knee injury. It seemed like he went on forever and then, once things started to go wrong, it was one thing after another.
From a miracle back surgery that, against the odds, restored Andy’s ability to walk, to the metastasized cancer that eventually (and quickly) took his life in June, the doctors, nurses and other staff at The Center for Veterinary Specialty Care treated us with unparalleled kindness and empathy. I would love to mention some of them by name, but every single person was so good to us that I don’t want to leave anyone out. But they know who they are. They are very special and talented professionals. We have both said, not entirely in jest, that if we get sick, we want to go there for treatment.
Andy was the canine love of our lives and we miss him terribly. But we are so grateful for the compassion, top-notch medical care and just the feeling of family that we received during our odyssey with CVSC.
We will never forget Andy and we will never forget them! Thank you CVSC.
Mark and Sarah Weeks