Posts About Our Practice
From our Hospital Director Angie Werth:
One thing is for sure you can say about Jeff and Theresa Dinslage is they have a passion for Pekingese! We were fortunate to meet Jeff and Theresa at our Gentle Doctor Open house in 2000. They came because they were seeking something “different” in veterinary care. We feel honored the Dinslages chose us to care for their four legged kids. Over the years we have shared tears as we said goodbye to Benny , Bart and Jack and shared their joy as they open their home to Gretel, Jorja and Mia .
This is Gretel, Mia and Jorja enjoying the outdoors. Hard to get a good picture of all three of them together!
Tell us about your family – humans and pets!
Our family includes Jeff, Theresa, Gretel, Jorja (pronounced Georgia) and Mia.
Mia, Age 4. Her nickname is "Choppers."
What do the adults in the family do for a living and for fun?
We are owners of an online nursery business. We enjoy Nebraska football, Creighton basketball, travelling and taking the girls for a walk every day in the park.
Gretel, Age 12
What do the kids in the family do for fun?
They go to the park every morning for a walk, chase squirrels and rabbits in their yard, look out the front door and bark at everything that goes by and beg for snacks! Gretel loves sitting on the table on the patio to get a better view of what is going on in the neighborhood.
Tell us more about the pets you have now and the pets you have had in the past.
Gretel, Jorja and Mia were all shelter dogs adopted from the Nebraska Humane Society.
Gretel was very lucky and didn’t spend much time at the Nebraska Humane Society. She was actually picked up by Angie Werth of Gentle Doctor as a surprise for us shortly after we had to put another one of our Pekes to sleep (Jack).
Jorja (pronounced "Georgia"), age 7, our sweetest girl
Jorja came to the Nebraska Humane Society needing to have an eye removed due to a prior incident with her first owners. A good friend of ours at the Nebraska Humane Society texted us a picture of Jorja while were were on a cruise and right away we knew we wanted her. A week after we came home from the cruise, she was ours.
Jorja and Gretel. Jorja loves to lick Gretel's ears several times a day!
Mia was actually born at the Nebraska Humane Society along with two brothers which Theresa’s sister adopted.
Prior to our three girls, we had three boys – Benny, Bart and Jack. Benny and Bart were pure breeds from a reputable breeder. They lived a very long and spoiled life due to the care and compassion of the Gentle Doctor team. Jack was only with us for eighteen months. He was found wandering the streets before he was picked up by the Nebraska Humane Society. When we adopted him, we soon found out he was in renal failure. With the compassion and knowledge of Dr. Pete Bashara, along with Angie Werth, he was able to live a wonderful eighteen months with us.
Tell us about when you first met the Gentle Doctor team or a story about the team others may not know.
We have been taking our pets to Gentle Doctor for over fifteen years. They were having an open house for their new location on 154th & Maple, and we were driving by and decided to stop in. We met the staff and doctors and had a tour of the facility. We were so impressed with all the staff and facilities that we decided to switch from our current clinic to the Gentle Doctor team.
Putting a beloved pet to sleep is a very hard thing to do and go through. Dr. Pete Bashara is a very compassionate person and has always made us feel at ease with our decisions. He has always been very gracious in answering any questions we have had over the years with any of our pets.
We were also lucky to find a dog sitter with Angie Werth. She stays at our home with our girls when we go on vacations. We are happy that she does this so our girls can stay in their own home while we are away.
When it is nice out, Gretel loves sitting on the table on the patio so she can watch what is going on. She loves being as high up as she can get!
Do you have wisdom about any medical conditions that you could share with someone who is perhaps just starting to walk their pet through a similar situation?
We have been through numerous eye abrasions, eyeball rupture, skin conditions, knee operations, back issues, vaccine reactions and renal failure. Keep in mind that animals will generally attempt to mask signs of illness. Be aware that any subtle change in your pet’s appearance or behavior could indicate illness. When we see any signs of a behavioral change, we don’t wait to see if they are going to get better, we call Gentle Doctor for an appointment.
Jorja had a serious reaction to her annual vaccination. I had noticed she was very lethargic and wasn’t acting like herself. I didn’t hesitate to call and get her an appointment. When I brought her in, she had a very high temperature, and I was told it was a good thing I brought her in when I did. She was in a very dangerous state, and they immediately put her on fluids, and she had to stay at Gentle Doctor for three days. In the evenings she had to go to the Emergency Clinic so they could watch her during the night. We were so thankful we did not wait to see if she would get better on her own!
Jorja
Do you have a favorite breed or type of pet?
Pekingese!
Is their a shelter or rescue group that is dear to you that you would like us to help spread the word about?
We support the Nebraska Humane Society and Hearts United for Animals.
I work from home at the kitchen table, and sometimes Mia likes to sit on the chair next to me and watch me work.
Meet the Knox/Oyler family!
From Dr. Thomassen...
The Knox family has been a part of the Gentle Doctor family since 1998. We know their faces, we know their pets, we know their history...and those are all very good things to know about this special family! They take exceptional care of their four-legged family members. As you will read, they are drawn to the senior age dogs to adopt, and Chuck and Ruth Ann give them a beautiful life until the end. We look forward to many more years of knowing this family and their fabulous pets!
From the family...
We are the Knox/Oyler family currently made up of three adult humans, Ruth Ann Knox, Chuck Knox, Ruth Ann’s daughter, Karen Oyler, and Karen’s seventeen year-old son, Benjamin, and three small dogs, Bailey (13 year-old Maltipoo), Frodo (9 year-old Lhasa-poo) and Cooper (6 year-old Lhasa Apso).
Tell us more about the pets you have now and the pets you have had in the past.
In the nearly twenty years Ruth and I have been married, we have had seven dogs, all rescues. We adopt mainly older dogs, knowing that they are often the ones left behind in favor of the younger dogs and puppies. Of course, while we give elderly dogs a good home in their final years, we also have to bear the pain of them leaving us as they journey beyond the realms of the physical.
Cooper is an exception to the rule in every way. He was a puppy when we brought him home from the Nebraska Humane Society. He had been with three owners in the first six months of his life, because he is a very social fellow, and needs to be with his people constantly. Previous owners had to leave him home, and I suppose neighbors and landlords complained about his barking and howling while his people were gone. So, we were so happy to be able to bring him home where someone is home almost all the time. Cooper has been with us longer than Frodo and Bailey.
Cooper has become our compassion worker. Our daughter has a rare genetic disease which keeps her in severe chronic pain. On days that her meds are not able to curb the pain, or on days that she is just emotionally down, Cooper will spend the day cuddled up at her side.
Cooper also loves toys. We didn’t discover this until we visited my brother in Utah. His dog introduced Cooper to his toy box, and shared his toys. When we returned home, we bought Cooper a doggie bed and filled it with toys. Cooper plays with his toys, and invites us to play with him too. But, he is a typical kid and he never picks up after himself.
Who could pass up this face? The name “Cooper” fits him perfectly so we did not change his name.
Bailey. Bailey weighs less than six pounds, but she is a ton of sweetness. We have never experienced a dog that can be so sweet. She is not only sweet, but she knows she is cute, and she uses the combination of qualities to get her way. Spoiled brat!!
Bailey is a ton of sweetness in a six-pound package.
Several years ago we had a Miniature Schnauzer named JoJo. When JoJo played, she would run so fast that her butt would drop down almost to the ground because her hind legs could hardly keep up with the front legs. We called it “Turbo Butt.” Just so happens that Bailey loves to get our attention by doing a Turbo Butt run around our living room. It is so cute.
At night, this six pound little girl is responsible for pushing me against the edge of the bed and keeping me pinned there.
Frodo is the latest rescue. He loves being with his people, and loves to cuddle. He also loves going for walks. We walk our dogs a minimum of three times each day. Frodo acts as though every walk is a new adventure, sniffing and marking constantly. When he first came to us, I could barely feel him pulling on the leash. But now, after just a few months, he has built up some strong muscles and has quite a strong pull for an eleven pound dog. Since Frodo has joined the pack, my shadow has undergone a strange transformation; it is now the color of a French fry, and it is short and has four legs.
My French Fry Colored Shadow—Frodo.
All three dogs like to be with me when I meditate. As I prepare to meditate, they gather around and quietly lie around me as I meditate.
Our two most remembered dogs of the past years were JoJo, a Miniature Schnauzer, and Maisie, a twenty pound Tibetan Terrier. Ruth rescued JoJo from an owner that kept her in a kennel outside in the winter. To make matters worse, the owner did not have her groomed, so the bitter Indiana winter must have been pure torture for this little girl. JoJo was so thankful when Ruth took her home, and subsequently had her groomed. The groomer had to cut all of her hair off because it was too matted to comb out. JoJo’s favorite game was “get the daddy.” Ruth would scream “get the daddy,” and JoJo would do a flying leap up on the bed and stand with her front paws squarely on my chest, and staring in my face. It was all in fun, and she often waited with great anticipation that she would soon be commanded to “get the daddy.”
JoJo’s favorite place in the world was the White Sands National Monument near Alamogordo, New Mexico. Our first trip there, we let her off of her leash and she just loved running in the sand. After that, in subsequent years, as we approached the park, JoJo would stand on Ruth’s lap, with her ears straight up, and her focus on the scenery. She would get more and more excited as we drove into the park. When she died, we poured her ashes in the White Sands park.
You might think this is snow, but this is JoJo in White Sands, New Mexico. This was her favorite place to be. The white sand is actually a very cool temperature to walk on.
Maisie was about seven years old when we brought her home from the Nebraska Humane Society. Ruth got her name from a Dr. Seuss book. Since her hair was severely matted, the NHS had to cut all of her hair off…except a tuft of hair on the top of her head. We called Maisie our angel because when she wanted a treat, her ears would go up and flap like the wings of an angel.
This is Maisie when we brought her home in April of 2000.
Maisie was a beautiful girl. When her hair grew out, we asked Pam Savoye to groom her like a lion, with a big mane and a tuft of hair on her tail. Pam did an amazing job with her. Maisie walked with a proud high stepping prance with that hairdo.
This is Maisie in January of 2005.
We call Maisie our $10,000 baby. In the first couple of years with us, she had recurring urinary infections. Dr. Krapfl did a sonogram on her belly to see if he could find a cause for all of the infections. He found polyps in the lining of her bladder to which bacteria would cling and grow, causing the infections. The surgery to remove the polyps was expensive, but it stopped the urinary tract infections.
The next huge expense happened one day when Maisie tried to attack another dog while I was walking her on a trail near our house. She jumped up in the air, and came down landing in a bad way, hyperextending her right rear knee. The surgery to repair the knee was, again, very expensive.
Maisie at White Sands, New Mexico in 2007.
Finally, Maisie came down with diabetes. We had to give her twice daily insulin shots for several years and frequently made doctor visits as the disease progressed and insulin adjustments were necessary. We also found ourselves making several emergency visits as she became very ill when the insulin needed adjustments. After seven years with us, Maisie became very ill on a trip to Utah and we had to put her down. The vet in Utah that examined her did an necropsy after she passed and found a large tumor in her chest cavity that apparently threw Maisie’s entire system out of balance. We still miss that girl very much.
Maisie also loved the White Sands, but her most exciting time was when we visited a friend of mine on his ranch in New Mexico. We let Maisie walk free as we walked about in the pastures, because we could see for miles, literally. She encountered an antelope and sprinted after it. Of course, she was no match, but when she returned to us, it was very apparent that she truly enjoyed the challenge. When we return to visit my friend again, we will leave her ashes there, as well. Over the course of her eight years with us, we easily spent well over $10,000 resolving medical issues for her. She was worth every penny to us.
JoJo and Maisie were the best of friends.
Tell us about when you first met the Gentle Doctor team or a story about the team others may not know.
In 1998, we had come to be uncomfortable with the vet in our neighborhood. One day I heard a lady in my office talking about her four dogs. I asked her who her vet was, and she could not stop singing the praises of Dr. Robert Bashara and his son Dr. Pete Bashara at the Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals. So, our next visit to the vet was at the then brand new facility at 151st and Maple Streets. Our trust in the Basharas and in all of the Gentle Doctor staff has never waned. I am continually in awe of the excellent staff of doctors, attendants, and good people we find there. We know we can trust every one of the staff explicitly.
What have you learned about pets that you did not know as a kid or before you had your own pets?
This is embarrassing. “Man, we was dumb!” applies to me precisely. When I was a kid I had a little thirty pound dog that lived up to his name, Tuffy. Tuffy loved to play, and he was my constant companion. He went with me everywhere. I would often ride my bike to some of my favorite places, some as far as ten miles away. Tuffy would run right alongside, even on the hot days in Roswell, New Mexico. I never, ever gave it a thought that he might get tired. He just seemed to have endless energy. On weekends, he would walk out into the desert with me, spending hours walking around. He would occasionally chase after a jack rabbit but always come right back to my side.
Tuffy was an amazing dog. He could jump a four foot tall fence in a single bound without a running start. He was less that two foot tall himself. It was not until recently as I watch our aging little Bailey that I realized that Tuffy surely had days when it had to be hard to take one more step, but he toughed it out just to be at my side.
Do you have wisdom about any medical conditions that you could share with someone who is perhaps just starting to walk their pet through a similar situation?
When I walk my dogs, I watch them closely. I pay attention to their habits and look for changes. Does she strain when she urinates or poops? Is the poop “normal?” Does he seem disinterested in what’s going on? Did he/she change her normal walking pace? Is his tail and head up, or is his tail down? Is he or she missing things he might normally take an interest in? Does he or she favor one leg over another? Is she having trouble eating something? Is he drinking more water than normal? Is she eating less than normal?
All of these things offer clues on what is happening with the dog, and maybe something needs more attention, and possibly a trip to the vet. Most of all, listen to your pet with your heart. Get quiet around them and listen while you watch them. Many years ago, I noticed JoJo seemed to be having trouble urinating. I turned off the chatter in my brain for a while and watched her. Strangely, a picture of a ball blocking a tube came to mind. I took JoJo to Gentle Doctor and requested an X-ray of her tummy area. The X-ray revealed a large (quarter-sized) bladder stone in her bladder. Our pets do talk to us. We just need to listen.
Next in our series of clients we are celebrating, meet Joan Eddy! We love to see her and her cats!
Dickens
From Dr. Miranda Thomassen:
It has been such a joy to care for Joan Eddy and her lovely cats through the years. She always takes wonderful care of them all, figuring out their medical conditions and staying up-to-date with routine medical care. Holly and Dickens are her current cats, and they are in the best hands with Joan!
Holly
From Joan Eddy:
My family is originally Mom, Dad and three kids – Joan, Doug Jr. and Roger.
Gypsy and Tami
We also had many cats through the years, Figaro, Boots, Cinnamon, Fat Cat and Skinny Girl (sisters) and Fluffy and Puffy (sister and brother).
Fat Cat and Skinny Girl
When the kids left home, they had their own cats and dogs – too many for me to remember, except my own. Squeaky was the first, then Blue Boy, Tami, Gypsy, Holly and Dickens.
Holly
The seniors in the family have either passed on or retired. The younger ones have a variety of jobs or are still in school. Through the years, we have all enjoyed travelling, music, plays, games and gardening. We are spread across the country – New York, Indiana, Nebraska and California.
Blue Boy
The most interesting story is about Blue Boy, my beautiful blue Burmese. A friend left her threaded embroidery needle on the arm of my chair, and when we were not watching him, Blue Boy swallowed it. Fortunately he swallowed the thread first, so the needle went down backwards. We discovered this when Dr. Bashara took an X-ray. After a hefty dose of laxative, thread and needle came out, and Blue Boy was fine for many years until he developed diabetes. I had to learn to give him insulin, which was not easy, but was worth it because he was such a great cat.
Tami was the next one to have a problem – hyperthyroidism. Medication did not help, so she had to have radiation treatment. It was very expensive, but it worked and gave her three more good years.
Gypsy’s last few years were tough because she had kidney disease, and I had to inject her with fluids. She remained sweet and lovable through it all.
Dickens
And now we come to my naughty little Dickens.
Dickens
He gets into everything! His latest fun thing is to get on top of the refrigerator and knock the magnets off the door!
Dickens
Right now, however, he is sound asleep on my lap, so he can be good at times.
Dickens
The vets at Gentle Doctor have been great to teach me the things I needed to do and not be scared. Also, when it is time to let go, it is best to stay right there and talk to your pet so your voice is the last one he or she hears.
Squeaky
Finn at Dog Beach in San Diego California, September 14, 2014
Meet Erika Teutsch! We love to see her and her wonderful cats and dog!
From Dr. Stephanie Jones...
Erika Teutsch has been a client at Gentle Doctor for many years. She is the proud owner of 3 pets: Finn (a chocolate colored labradoodle), Scout (a maine coon mix), and Zooey (a domestic medium hair). Erika is a delightful, dedicated owner. Both Finn and Scout have had some time consuming medical issues in the past and Erika has diligently brought them in for treatments and surgery. Finn is a sweet, gentle natured labradoodle who loves his mom. ;) Scout suffered from some recurrent UTI’s in the past, and after a couple of surgeries by Dr. Merkley, he is now doing much better! Scout prefers to stay in his kennel during his vet visits, but our staff continues to work on making him more comfortable here. Zooey is also a sweet boy who prefers to be on his mom’s lap during his exams but is always cooperative when any tests are needed. We love seeing Erika and her pets at the clinic! Erika is always smiling, has a wonderful, upbeat personality and a kind word to share with our staff.
Finn and Erika in Colorado, September 13, 2014
Tell us about your family – humans and pets.
I am “mom” to three furry kids, Scout (Maine Coon, 12 years old), Zooey (domestic short hair cat, 11 years old), and Finn (Labradoodle, 7 years old). I grew up in Omaha and moved away to attend the University of San Diego before coming back to work with my family.
Scout and Zooey, August 6, 2014
What do you do for a living and for fun?
My family owns a company that designs and sells children’s stickers mainly for the medical field. After college, I came back to learn the business; I wear many hats at work—mostly HR and general administrative things, but sometimes I am entering orders for customer service or picking orders in shipping.
Finn at Arroyo Burro Beeach in Santa Barbara California, September 17, 2014
For fun I love to read, go to live theater, take Finn for hikes and travel. Last summer, Finn and I went on a two week road trip to California so he could play in the ocean. He loves all types of water, and we both love to go boating on the Missouri River.
Finn Boating on the Missouri River, July 4, 2008
Tell us more about the pets you have now and the pets you have had in the past.
Named for the main character in To Kill a Mockingbird, I adopted Scout from a rescue in San Diego California when I lived there during college. Scout was about five weeks old and so small when I got him - He could hide in my tennis shoes. He was one of three in his litter rescued with his mom, and when I picked him up, he crawled up and sat on my shoulder. He made the trip home to Omaha on a flight with my mom 11 years ago, and hasn’t really forgiven her for that. He is very cautious but also curious and loves to go out in our backyard and sniff around.
Scout the Day I Adopted Him, August 14, 2002
I adopted Zooey from the Nebraska Humane Society a few days before I started my job so that he could keep Scout company since Scout hadn’t been on his own much. Zooey is a snuggler, and doesn’t allow you to sit for more than thirty seconds before he crawls up in your lap and makes himself comfortable; he will only willingly jump down when the TV has been turned off. He prefers dramas over comedies because the shows are longer. Zooey is named for the main brother character in Franny and Zooey…not Zooey Deschanel.
Zooey, December 25, 2013
Although I mostly grew up with dogs, it took several years to be comfortable enough to try raising one on my own. I have a cousin who is a veterinarian in California, and he had recommended a Labradoodle when I started looking about 8 years ago. I found Finn online, and when I flew to Denver to pick him up at eight weeks old, he broke away from his breeder-mom, ran up behind me and wrapped his leash around my legs before I even saw him. Finn comes to work with me every day, and other than making the rounds to his favorite people, he hangs out with my dad (his Papa) or me. He loves running errands to the post office or going for runs with my dad on the Segway. Finn also hangs out with my parent's dog, Skip, at work. Finn’s name is also from To Kill a Mockingbird, though I took some liberties in changing Finch to Finn. His full name is Harper’s Finn.
Growing up, we had a Cockapoo named Scruffy; he was usually my dad’s co-pilot when my dad had his airplane. Scruffy lost an eye before I was born when he got too close to one of our horses while my parents were out of town. In addition to Scruffy, we had three Paint horses, about a dozen Simmental cows, and 2 Miniature Mediterranean donkeys, which we used to “loan out” for Palm Sunday parades. We brought one of my donkeys to show-and-tell when I was in Kindergarten—she fit perfectly in the minivan. After Scruffy passed away, we had a Soft-Coated Wheaton Terrier named Codey.
Tell us about when you first met the Gentle Doctor team or a story about the team others may not know.
When I first moved back to Omaha, I took Scout to another vet in town that my parents used. However, Zooey hates being in the car, so I needed to find a vet that was closer. Luckily—for both Zooey’s and my sakes—the Torrey Pines location is in my neighborhood and only a three minute drive.
Scout and Zooey, May 11, 2014
Scout had a lot of serious health issues several years ago, and we spent a lot of time at Animal Emergency Clinic and at Gentle Doctor. Because of that, he is very skittish when going to the vet for even just his regular check-ups. Scout still has his back claws, and he growls and bites when he is unhappy; I’m so impressed with the techs that have to care for him when we come in.
Dr. Pete Bashara and Dr. Jones have both cared for Finn, and I love that they get down on the floor with him to put him at ease—especially when he is trying to hide behind me. Everyone I have met at Gentle Doctor has been so kind and caring. Finn loves seeing Kristin when he comes in, and everyone always asks about whichever pet I didn’t bring in.
What have you learned about pets that you did not know as a kid or before you had your own pets?
Pet food is really expensive when your pets have food allergies and sensitivities! But it’s also worth every penny.
Do you have wisdom about any medical conditions that you could share with someone who is perhaps just starting to walk their pet through a similar situation?
Scout had urinary blockages that ended up needing to be fixed with perineal urethrostomy (PU) surgery. He would be so sick that he would have to be admitted to either the emergency clinic or Gentle Doctor, but he would still be playful. I found I have to be hyper-vigilant with him, and bring him in at the slightest sign that he might be sick. However, even with several trips to the emergency clinic, 2 PU surgeries, and being so close to death by the time he acted sick, he was so resilient—he’d be back to his normal self soon after coming home. His illnesses were so stressful for both of us, but being able to trust the advice from the vets at Gentle Doctor helped a lot. Even when it seemed that the easiest or most humane thing to do would be to put him to sleep, his surgeries were ultimately successful and, despite needing special food, he’s still acts like a kitten almost nine years later!
Do you have a favorite breed or type of pet?
I do not have a favorite type of pet or breed—they all have their fun quirks about them. We treated our farm animals as pets, and I do love seeing calves playing in the field on my way to work. I always want one until I remember that they grow up.
Is there a cause you would like us to help spread the word about?
I have been on the Board of Trustees for The Rose Theater for a number of years and grew up attending productions at Emmy Gifford Children’s Theater. We have a great season of shows coming up next year, and memberships go on sale soon!
Finn in Hollywood, September 16, 2014
From Dr. Thomassen,
Meet our long-time clients – the Giddings Family! We have loved all of their cocker spaniels through the years, and are so excited to welcome their newest cocker Claddy to our Gentle Doctor family!
Tell us about your family – humans and pets!
The Giddings family has been with Gentle Doctor for over forty-five years. My parents used Bob, and Kathy and myself have been with them for thirty years.
Claddy, the Newest Member of the Family
What do the adults in the family do for a living and for fun?
Travel and raise cocker spaniels
What do the kids in the family do for fun?
Travel
Tell us more about the pets you have now and the pets you have had in the past.
We have had four cocker spaniels, Jeepers, Gabby, which was patient of the decade, and Bally and Dublin. Now we have #5 with Claddy.
Gabby
Tell us about when you first met the Gentle Doctor team or a story about the team others may not know.
We are like family, forty-five plus years with them.
What have you learned about pets that you did not know as a kid or before you had your own pets?
It hurts so much to lose them, but they give so much pleasure and love while they are with you.
Do you have wisdom about any medical conditions that you could share with someone who is perhaps just starting to walk their pet through a similar situation?
Trust Gentle Doctor. They love your pets.
Do you have a favorite breed or type of pet?
Cockers
Jeepers
Is there anything else we should include in your story?
The care and love they show during hard times is unbelievable.
It’s great when they are healthy and vibrant, but the days of loss they were always with Kathy and me.
Dublin and Bally, Who Passed Away Last Year
Dee Dee
From Dr. Pete Bashara...
Who are the Barmettlers? Mike and Mary Beth were clients I was introduced to by my father in my first week of work as a kennel boy! I have never known veterinary medicine without them! They are also responsible for all the extra things I now know about Poms!
It took some time for Mary Beth to make the transition from my father to me as a veterinary care provider, but the relationship that has developed is as much one of family as it is professional. As I am getting older, the only complication I have is the “M” names – sometimes I can’t keep them straight, but Mary Beth is very patient with me!
Madison, Molly, Magee and McKenzie!
Madison, Magee, Molly and McKenzie!
To the Barmettlers, thanks for letting us care for your kids for two generations of veterinarians!
McKenzie the Drama Queen!
From Mary Beth Barmettler...
My family and I moved from sunny southern California to Omaha Nebraska in August 1965. Yes...I just turned nine years old!
After the long road trip from California, our dog Sam, a mixed Collie and Old English Sheepdog, needed to see a vet. We chose the closest veterinarian to our new home and were blessed to discover Dr. T. Robert Bashara. We loved him immediately.
He showed an avid and sincere interest in our dog's health and welfare as well as our own concerns regarding a sick pet.
Molly, Age 15
Over the ensuing years, Dr. T. Robert Bashara cared for six other Pomeranian "children" of mine... His genuine concern, intellect, compassion and availability were second to none...
McKenzie
He exemplified everything a mother would dream of in a pediatrician, and I was fortunate enough to find all of these beautiful qualities in a veterinarian.
Madison
When Dr. T. Robert Bashara retired and Dr. Pete assumed the role of his dad, I was once again blessed to find the exact exemplary care, compassion, intellect and availability I so cherished and for which I was so grateful for in Dr. Robert Bashara...Yes, Dr. Pete is a clone of his dad, and the "apple did not fall any distance from the tree!"
Dee Dee
Dr. Pete has sincerely and compassionately cared for and maintained that wonderful continuity of care which his dad graciously provided, and, so desirous by me for my "kids" - the latter six additional Pomeranians.
McKenzie, Dee Dee and Magee
Without Dr. Pete's diligence and determination to perform to his utmost intellect, knowledge and abilities, a few of my Poms’ lives would have been short-lived. It was his determination and perseverance to find a cure and/or maintain comfort care for my "children" that enabled me the pleasure of additional wonderful years with my girls.
Dee Dee, Eight Months Old and Already a Grand Champion!
I was asked, what is my favorite breed of dog? Simple answer: Pomeranians...for me, there is no other breed!
Madison
One particular memorable situation displaying Dr. Pete's tenacity to provide the utmost care for my little one was about seven years ago.
Little Magee, weighing roughly 3.5 pounds, was not her typical self. I knew something was wrong and did not have a clue as to a diagnosis.
Magee
I took her in to Gentle Doctor to be examined by an associate of Dr. Pete's since it was Dr. Pete's day off from work.
Shorty after leaving the office, Dr. Pete called me and reported that he had stopped by the office and took a look at my little girl. He was gravely concerned because of a dysfunctional epiglottis. She was incapable of breathing on her own.
Magee
Dr. Pete immediately provided the appropriate emergency measures to sustain her life. He then consulted with a specialized surgeon and determined what was needed to keep her alive. Dr. Pete himself provided the ambulance ride necessary to get Magee to the surgeon, across town by the way, all the while under anesthesia, so that the life saving measures could be initiated...
I am proud to say, my little Magee is still with us having celebrated her 12th year birthday and breathing fine on her own...only the best veterinarians would go to that length for either a patient or a client.
Magee
I have owned Pomeranians since I was sixteen years old. They are unlike most dog breeds as they are quintessential "puppies". They never grow up...Sadly, they only grow old and travel on to another land only to wait for us to arrive.
Molly, Age 15
I do not have any two legged children as my Pomeranians have always fulfilled that "motherly" instinct.
McKenzie
They do require work, however, the rewards are priceless, and I cherish each and every hour I have had the privilege to spend with my Poms.
Dee Dee
Finch's Pomeranians from Kelley Iowa - http://www.finchspoms.com/ - is the birthplace of my "kids" and home to the International Queen of Pomeranian breeders.
Molly and Magee
Diane Finch has been raising Poms for more than 45 years and has produced more champions than any other breeder. She was the proud owner of "Travis" and "Parker", the two winningest dogs in dog-dome! "Travis" won Best of Breed at the Westminster Dog Show in 1994.
Madison
Since then, she has received numerous awards at Westminster and various other prestigious dog shows both nationally and internationally.
Molly
She has the highest integrity and compassion as a Pomeranian breeder as do Drs. T. Robert and Pete Bashara in their veterinary practice.
Dee Dee, Magee and McKenzie
I have only the highest regard, recommendation and eternal gratitude for Drs. T. Robert and Pete Bashara for providing their medical expertise with sincere compassion and patience not only for my Poms, but for putting up with me and all my panic attacks!
I do not know what I would have done or would do without them always being there for us. They are truly family to my Poms and me...
McKenzie, Magee and Madison
A heartfelt THANK YOU!!!
Mary Beth
Sam, P.P., Rhett, Scarlett, Ashley, Tara, Gable, Melanie, Molly, Magee, McKenzie, Madison, and DeeDee
McKenzie
Lady and Poncho
It is high time we feature a completely cat family, don't you think? Well, this is a great one! Meet the Muller family! We love this family and their wonderful cats! Our day is made every time they come in!
Tell us about your family – humans and pets!
We are Daniel and Lauren Muller. We have a one year old son, Max and two cats, Lady and Poncho!
What do the adults in the family do for a living and for fun?
We own a photography studio in Benson, Mullers Photography. We specialize in wedding photography, and we love it!
For fun we mostly love traveling, being outside and anything food related.
What does Max do for fun?
Max just turned one, so he mostly loves to get into anything and everything that he's not supposed to. He loves the cats, and "dat" (cat) has been one of his first words. He doesn't understand why they don't want to play with him just yet.
Tell us more about the pets you have now and the pets you have had in the past.
We adopted Lady and Poncho as kittens. They are brother and sister and couldn't be more different.
Lady lives up to her name and is a sweetheart.
Poncho is rowdy and always looking for trouble.
We adopted the kittens after we lost our cat Leonard a few years ago. Leonard was the biggest, rowdiest cat of them all and lives on in legend. He broke a lot of glasses through the years, and his favorite toy was a hammer...if that gives any indication. But we loved him!
Tell us about when you first met the Gentle Doctor team or a story about the team others may not know.
We first met the Gentle Doctor team three years ago and have been huge fans since day one! We have experience with other vets and have never felt like our pets have been so genuinely liked and cared for. The staff is friendly, knowledgable and kind.
One time when we visited, we walked and didn't see anyone. Well, we didn't see any humans, just a small dog sitting at the reception desk :)
Do you have wisdom about any medical conditions that you could share with someone who is perhaps just starting to walk their pet through a similar situation?
Lady has a bladder issue we discovered a few months after we got her. She was urinating constantly - always in the bathtub. There was blood in her urine, and she would crouch and shake as if she were in pain. It turned out that she had crystals in her urine. We brought her in and Shawn put her on a special food that has completely resolved the issue. We were so worried!
Semi-related - we did not have our cats declawed. Poncho in particular is a bit of a scratcher when he is playing, and we were very worried when we were pregnant with our son that he would end up (accidentally) scratching the baby.
Even though Poncho is very feisty with us he seems to have a sense about Max and has been very careful around him. We still keep a close eye on Poncho when they are together but hopefully that can be an encouragement to anyone who might be worried about the same thing!
Stoli and Asti
Meet the Jacobsens! These two exceptional dogs could not be more different, but we love them both! This is a wonderful family, and we hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as we have over the years!
What do the adults in the family do for a living and for fun?
Bill is a Head Golf Professional with the City of Omaha at the Knolls Golf Course, and Kristen is a REALTOR with NP Dodge Real Estate. We both enjoy spending time with each other and our “girls," Asti and Stoli.
What do the kids in the family do for fun?
The only children we have are our “fur children."
Asti
Asti the Cairn Terrier is fifteen years old and is still very active! She still loves to play fetch, and loves to be chased around the couch with whoever is willing to chase her.
Stoli
Stoli the Lab is eleven years old and loves to hang out on her pillow! With Stoli’s diabetes, she is not as active, but when the weather is nice she loves to play fetch in the back yard. In their younger years, Asti and Stoli had a plastic swimming pool and could play in it with the sprinkler for hours.
Tell us more about Asti and Stoli!
Kristen bought Asti shortly after she graduated college, and when she and Bill got married, they bought Stoli a couple of months later.
Tell us about when you first met the Gentle Doctor team or a story about the team others may not know.
We were referred to Gentle Doctor by one of Kristen’s co-workers to have Asti groomed. Asti was barely over a year old, and when I went to pick her up for the first time, the groomer told me Asti needed obedience training because she was ill behaved. Fast forward fourteen years, Asti loves to get groomed by Gentle Doctor and practically smiles when she gets into the car.
What have you learned about pets that you did not know as a kid or before you had your own pets?
Dogs need a lot of attention and love. Our girls are so spoiled, but they know we care enough to make sure they have happy lives.
Do you have wisdom about any medical conditions that you could share with someone who is perhaps just starting to walk their pet through a similar situation?
Asti and Stoli are both “special," and have had some really interesting medical issues throughout their lives.
Asti was diagnosed with a food allergy at an early age, and has always been on an r/d diet. Her special diet has never been an issue, and she was able to maintain a very healthy coat all her life.
With Asti being very active as a young dog, whether chasing squirrels, birds, planes or balls, she has developed arthritis in her lower back, and as she has aged, she has lost most of her sight and hearing. Asti takes a couple different medications to help with the pain and anxiety, but this does not stop her from being sassy and outspoken.
Stoli. Oh, Stoli. Stoli has many infamous stories about her at Gentle Doctor, but one of the favorites is when she ate a glass Christmas ornament (hook and hinge included) only to discover she also ate six landscaping rocks too! Stoli had major stomach surgery right before Christmas, and recovered like a champ. Gentle Doctor still shares Stoli’s x-rays with the rocks with school children, and we still have the six rocks in a biohazard bag. Those were some very expensive landscaping rocks!!
All joking aside, Stoli was diagnosed with diabetes in 2011 so she requires a lot of care to manage her diabetes. Diabetes is very manageable in pets, and Gentle Doctor has been very good at educating us on how to keep her healthy.
Gentle Doctor offered us a couple of tips to help manage Stoli’s diabetes:
-
Keep Stoli on the same feeding schedule every day (7 AM and 7 PM).
-
Measure out her food for every meal.
-
Give her insulin shots twice a day after she eats.
It can be a little tough at first to get the insulin regulated, but once this is done, it is really easy to maintain the diabetes. People always ask us if it is hard to give Stoli shots, and the answer is no. We usually give her shots in the back of her neck by picking up the loose skin. If you roll the syringe between your finger tips to warm the insulin, it really does not bother her. Then she gets a treat after her shot.
Though Stoli is regulated, she usually has “tells” when her glucose is high, so then we take her into the clinic for a glucose check. We work closely with our team of vets to determine the best course of action with managing the insulin. Despite being diabetic, Stoli is a very happy, loving, and affectionate dog!
Do you have a favorite breed or type of pet?
Dogs all the way! Any kind!
Meet the Norman family! Angie and Andrew and their son Townsend have Polly Pocket Outlaw Norman...Polly to her friends, but we love to use her whole name, which is longer than she is! We love when this family comes in for a visit or to stay for a while for grooming. You will love getting to know them too!
Tell us about your family – humans and pets!
We are the Normans: Andrew, Angie, Townsend (11 months) and Polly Pocket Outlaw (2-year-old Yorkshire Terrier).
What do the adults in the family do for a living and for fun?
We co-founded and run the nonprofit Hear Nebraska, which works to tell a new Nebraska story through our state's music — via multimedia journalism and events. Learn more at hearnebraska.org!
What does Townsend do for fun?
Townes loves to push things, including a walker, chairs, his high chair and just about anything else he can find. He is also super into balloons right now, and communicates through variations of grunts.
Tell us more about the pets you have now and the pets you have had in the past.
Polly is our family's first and only pet. She has a tremendous amount of character and charm. She's also sweet as can be. She went from being the baby in the family to the big sister recently, and has done an amazing job of transitioning. (It took a bit before she got used to sharing attention, though). She is incredibly patient, even as Townes confuses petting with hair pulling.
Tell us about when you first met the Gentle Doctor team or a story about the team others may not know.
From our first interaction with the Gentle Doctor team, we felt like they were part of our family. We always look forward to seeing them, and just really appreciate how much everyone over there genuinely cares about our family. We love you gals!
How many people do you know with a motorhome customized to transport their six ninety pound dogs in style? Let us introduce you to the Fort family. Susan and Mike Fort have traveled from the great state of Iowa to see the doctors of Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals for over fifteen years. This family is not limited to dogs alone. The Forts are active Arabian and Half-Arabian horse breeder too! Our hospitals do not see many breeders – but the Forts are not simply breeders. Both Susan and Mike are obsessive about the care of their animals and promoting both genetics and responsible breeding and ownership. A visit from the Fort family to the hospital will surely include a discussion of current research happening with their favorite breed – the Bouvier des Flandres!
Conley - 4th Major - Gray Summit Missouri
Tell us about your family – humans and pets!
We are the Fort family, Susan and Mike. We have lived in Neola Iowa with six dogs and twenty-four horses for just over fifteen years now and before that in Omaha Nebraska. We are the real Dog and Pony Show, so to speak!
What do the people in the family do for a living and for fun?
Mike is a retired Union Pacific Railroad director, and I am retired from twenty-eight years of retail. We always joke that being retired, we are now busier than ever and wonder how we ever had time to work! We have several people whose horses we have taken care of for years. One of these mares is twenty eight years old this year. We show our horses with these friends and also show our dogs in confirmation competition as well as herding and carting.
Reuben and Mike Herding Through the Gate, September 2012
What do the kids in the family do for fun?
Our daughter is grown, and we have a granddaughter who is into shopping and all things teenager!
Tell us more about the pets you have now and the pets you have had in the past.
Gidget - NAAWBA Carting, 2009
We have five Bouvier des Flandres dogs and a Landseer Newfoundland.
I am sure that sounds like gibberish to some, but a Bouvier des Flandres is a large (75-100 pound plus) herding breed dog from Flanders, Belgium. They are hairy with a double coat, so they need lots of grooming time and exercise. Think big, dark gray Cookie Monster and you'll have an idea of their appearance! The Newf (Tyner) is black and white, called a Landseer, around 130 pounds and what Mike calls a "Slobberawfulous," but Tyner is certain he is also a Bouvier.
Tyner
Almost all of our dogs are either finished AKC Champions or are in competition now. The love affair with the Bouvier breed started in the early 1980's with my first Bouvier, Oz and then a female, Tessa. Her vet was Dr. Bob Bashara. Then came our true heart dog, an Australian cattle dog mix named Dirty Dingus McGee. His vet was Dr. Krapfl.
We now have twenty-four horses and raise and show Arabians as well as colored (pintos & buckskin) part Arabians and a Baroche breed called the Knapstrupper. The Knab was the precursor to the Lippizan breed of horse, but they sport wildly spotted coat patterns, much like an Appaloosa. They are used for dressage, hunter/jumpers and carriage horses.
ECA Mood Ring, August 2006
Tell us about when you first met the Gentle Doctor team or a story about the team others may not know.
That would be in the early 1980's. Dr. Bob Bashara was the one who took care of my female Bouvier des Flandres, Tessa, and later on he also took care of another female Bouvier named Gidget. Her litter was the last one, bred by a friend of ours, that Dr. Bashara cropped ears on before he retired. Gidget was a typical Bouvier, choosing whom she liked on her own. She used to growl very low at Dr. Bob Bashara every time we visited, never mean, just a warning. It seems that her growl and her healthcare were passed on to Dr. Pete after he took over the clinic, as she growled at him at their every meeting as well! They both took it all in stride and with great understanding of the protectiveness and character of the breed. I have known and worked with groomer Pam Savoye at an Omaha pet store for quite awhile in the mid to late 1980's. We also showed dogs together, my Bouvier and her boxers . So we have known the Gentle Doctor team for years!
What have you learned about pets that you did not know as a kid or before you had your own pets?
Mike and I grew up owning dogs and horses. Through the years we have learned that while you will acquire knowledge in many areas of pet care, you will never know it all! Good diet and exercise of both body and brain for pets is first and foremost. Listen to your pets, they have a lot to teach you.
Do you have wisdom about any medical conditions that you could share with someone who is perhaps just starting to walk their pet through a similar situation?
Make sure you use monthly meds for heartworm and for fleas and ticks. There are diseases you can prevent easily by making these meds a part of your pet care routine. Like I said before, listen to your pet. The closeness that you have with them will alert you to any subtle changes in appetite, appearance and energy level, maybe in a very small way, but even those small issues are worth checking out with your vet. We have gone through several cancers with our dogs, some very fast moving (a stomach lining cancer and a mast cell cancer). We were able to give loving care and comfort as long as possible with the help of Dr. Pete Bashara and his crew of devoted techs.
Do you have a favorite breed or type of pet?
Guess that would be dogs! We have loved the Bouvier for years, but also like cattle dogs. We would love to add one to our "herd" someday. I have recently fallen in amour with a hairless breed of dog called a Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced show-low-eats-queen-tlee), but am not quite sure how they would do in Iowa/Nebraska winters! In the dog show ring, as well as at horse shows we get to see many breeds of dogs and learn about their origins and character.
Is their a shelter or rescue group that is dear to you that you would like us to help spread the word about?
The ABRL - American Bouvier Rescue League - http://www.abrl.org/. They are gold for unwanted dogs! A Bouvier is not a dog for everyone. Besides being very large and hairy, they have a tendency to want to be in charge, are incredibly intelligent and can be pushy and overbearing (to put it nicely!).
Is there a non-pet related cause you would like us to help spread the word about?
Probably not a "cause" but, your "family" encompasses many more folks than those related to you. It includes all you touch and all who touch you, good or bad. And learn and read all through your life. Asking questions is a good thing!
Is there anything else we should include in your story?
Enjoy your pets!!!