Our next story of our "Celebrating 50 Clients for our 50th Anniversary" series is about our dear clients Lu and Bill Bone. We first met Lu when she was a part of the Gentle Doctor team many years ago! We never let the good ones truly leave, and we love getting to see Lu and her family.

Tell us about your family – humans and pets!

My human family is me, Lu, my husband Bill, our two grown sons, Eric and Jesse, who are both getting married in 2015, and one very special granddaughter, Lily, who was born in October 2013, and another one on the way, due in April of 2015.

Our pet family is a Rhodesian ridgeback, Chimi, who is five years old and a yellow Lab, Deke, who is two years old.

Chimi

Deke

My son Eric and his fiancé Cory have a Rhodesian, Rodimus, a mini Aussie, Wicket, and a cat, Taylor. They also are clients of Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals. Rodimus had successful knee surgery a few years back. She is probably going to need the other one done too!

Jesse and his fiancé Laura and their daughter Lily have a fourteen year old cat named Alsten.

What do the people in the family do for a living and for fun?

We own a business called AAA Dental Studio. I keep the books, and my husband and sons do the lab work, which involves making porcelain crowns and bridges. Sailing, ice hockey and golf are what the men are into, and I am enjoying being a grandma.

Tell us about when you first met the Gentle Doctor team or a story about the team others may not know.

I met up with Gentle Doctor in 1990 when I started working at Mapleview for Dr. Bob Bashara. Laura Drews was key in training me. She was so helpful! Pete would come in the summers to work while he was in school. I really enjoyed my time there.

I quit late in the 90’s to work at the riding stable my friend owned. I wanted to put my horse Chance into full training for dressage and was able to work off my board and training, and very much enjoyed that too! We had a great partnership until we both became too sore to continue. My friend still owns the barn, and I am able to go out and visit the horses.

Lu and Chance

Tell us more about the pets you have now and the pets you have had in the past.

My past pet family was a liver and white Dalmatian, Windy, whom I showed in obedience, the only dog I owned without  medical problems.

Windy and Spook the Cat

At the time I had Windy, I also adopted a four month old black Lab, Addy, who had hip dysplasia and went through a TPO surgery on each hip at Iowa State. They were both very successful, but she died of liver failure at the young age of seven.

Windy still needed a friend, so I got another black Lab puppy, Keyla. She also had hip dysplasia, but we were able to keep her comfortable on Deramaxx. She lived to be twelve and a half.

Keyla

About two years after I got Keyla, Mapleview called me. They took in a deaf Dalmatian, and since he was liver and white and five months old, they thought I might want him. Sure, why not? He was kind of a goofy dog, but Keyla trained him well. He even fetched a ball.

Now with Chimi, we have been dealing with stomach issues. She started vomiting at about two years of age. She has been through lots of tests, and at this point, she is on a special diet and a low dose of prednisone which is working pretty well.

Lastly, there is Deke, my first yellow Lab. Boy, is he a wild man! He was the wildest puppy I ever had! I almost took him back to the breeder, but of course I didn’t, and sure enough, a few months later, I noticed an unevenness in his front end and came to find out he has OCD, but his hips are good. We cannot get a break! He is doing well on supplements only and has no trouble playing ball. I guess we will see what happens down the road.

Wave

Paws and Whiskers Photography

Our next story of our "Celebrating 50 Clients for our 50th Anniversary" series is about our dear clients Mike and Jackie Roach. Mike and Jackie lead one of our very favorite rescue groups, Taysia Blue Husky and Malamute Rescue. We love this family, and we love when Jackie and Mike or their partners in rescue bring in their own dogs or any of the huskies and malamutes they have rescued. Are you ready to see some of the most gorgeous dogs on the planet??

Paws and Whiskers Photography

What do the adults in your family do for a living and for fun?

Mike owns his own business specializing in professional photography and marketing solutions – primarily website design. Jackie is a Senior Director of Merchandising for Hayneedle.com. We both run Taysia Blue Husky and Malamute Rescue. Much of our fun time revolves around the dogs, the rescue and the volunteers.   

Jackie with Mackey and Taysia

Badger and Mike

What do the kids in the family do for fun? 

All of our kids have four legs! They enjoy zooming around the yard, taking afternoon naps and taking walks, and if they are good, they get to go to daycare on Wednesdays. They especially enjoy helping foster dogs gain confidence so they can find good homes. 

Tell us more about the pets you have now and the pets you have had in the past. 

This could take a long time! 

Elsie the cat was Jackie’s first pet as an adult. She lived with her almost twenty years. When Jackie met Mike, she told Mike that she was a cat person, and she did not have any use for dogs, didn't like dogs. Today, Mike and Jackie have five wonderful northern breed dogs...

Bettie, an Alaskan malamute with megaesophagus...

Bettie

Mackey, a five year old rescued husky/malamute mix who is a self-proclaimed mama’s boy...

Mackey

Blue, a six year old all white Siberian husky adopted from The Nebraska Humane Society, who is the family cuddle dog...

Blue

Jambalaya, an eight year old Siberian husky who loved agility when she was younger. Now she enjoys a good nap every now and again...

Jambalaya

...and Badger who was their first Siberian husky and Jackie’s first dog as an adult.

Badger

Badger’s visits to the vet used to usually start with, “in all the years of practicing, we rarely see this…” 

Taysia Blue, a rescued Siberian husky with megaesophagus and diabetes, crossed the Rainbow Bridge in February 2014. She was just shy of fifteen years old. She was the inspiration for Jackie and Mike to start Taysia Blue Rescue. 

Taysia

She was not easy in terms of behavior and health, but a true inspiration for being consistent, patient and never giving up. The fact that she lived as long as she did with all the problems she had is a testament for good, transparent, open communication with your veterinarian. It took the village of doctors, techs and kennel staff at Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital to help her live a great life. 

Taysia

Tell us about when you first met the Gentle Doctor team or a story about the team others may not know.

Jackie was working for a local radio station selling advertising. Pete Bashara was a client, and she helped with the radio remote when the clinic opened at Maple Street. She grilled hot dogs for people attending the open house. She was so impressed with Dr. Bashara and the clinic that she became a client. 

What have you learned about pets that you did not know as a kid or before you had your own pets? 

I think I could write a book! We have learned that dogs need enrichment to be happy – playtime, walks, stimulating their minds all make for happier, healthier dogs. 

Badger, Taysia and Jambalaya

Jambalaya

Blue

We have learned that we as humans are the problem, not the dog in most cases. We do so much to confuse our dogs that it is a wonder that they are able to figure out what we want or ask of them. We understand canine behavior so much better than we ever dreamed - how to recognize when dogs are stressed or not happy by tiny facial gestures or body posture. This knowledge is so helpful in understanding what they need and ultimately in preventing bites or unwanted behaviors.   

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? 

I have had two dogs with megaesophagus. It is often hard to detect. Sadly, many are not diagnosed properly, if at all. We hear of people feeling really helpless when faced with this disease. It many times can be managed, and the pet can live a relatively normal life, but it will take some time, research and commitment (and paper towels) from the owner. The key is to ask questions of your veterinarian and the staff. Open yourself to learning about the disease. 

Taysia

The most important thing that came out of our first dog’s "megaE" was building open dialog with the veterinarians that we worked with at Gentle Doctor. We shared what we learned, they shared what they learned and together with the medical staff, we tried things. Some worked, some did not, and we are still trying with our current megaE dog. We do not expect the doctors to perform miracles, but together we can figure out the best plan for the moment. What worked today might not work tomorrow, so sometimes the road map needs to change. But most importantly, we never give up and neither do our doctors. It is a collaborative effort, and we will always be clients for life because of that relationship that we have. 

Bettie, Living Well with Megaesophagus!

Do you have a favorite breed or type of pet? 

Siberian husky and Alaskan malamute of course! 

Is there a shelter or rescue group that is dear to you that you would like us to help spread the word about? 

Taysia Blue Husky & Malamute Rescue!!! 

Is there a non-pet related cause you would like us to help spread the word about? 

We like to speak for those who can not speak for themselves. That is why we devote so much time to animal rescue work, but Jackie’s other passion is CASA of Douglas County. This organization helps kids who are caught up in the frustrating cycle of the foster care system.  Volunteers become their voice in court and advocate for their care and ultimately for permanency.  

Is there anything else we should include in your story?

Mike's family was a client of Pete's dad about forty years ago with his dog named Spunky! 

MORE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS...

Taysia

Mackey

Taysia

Jambalaya

Mackey

Paws and Whiskers Photography

Blue

Mackey

Taysia

Badger

Blue

Taysia

Bettie

Jambalaya, Taysia, Badger

Taysia

Jambalaya

Taysia

Jackie with Taysia, Jambalaya and Badger

Jambalaya

Blue

Badger

Taysia

Badger

Taysia

Badger

Blue

Badger

Taysia

Jambalaya and Blue

Badger

Taysia

The End...

Our first story of our "Celebrating 50 Clients for our 50th Anniversary" series is about our dear client Kathi Ortmeier. We love when Kathi comes with any of her own dogs, her sweet old Sassie kitty, a litter of beagle puppies or any other rescued bassets or beagles or mixes! Kathi also leads one of our very favorite rescue groups, Basset and Beagle Rescue of the Heartland.

Wrigley and her littermate Maddux have both overcome distemper.

Here is Kathi's story...

Tell us about your family – humans and pets!

I come from a long line of dog lovers. I got my first beagles at four years of age, and I grew up with lots of dogs and cats. Even though I run Basset and Beagle Rescue of the Heartland, I have no purebred beagles of my own right now! I currently am owned by Sassie Cat at 24 years old, Jack, a schnoodle, Mike Wasowski, a Jack Russell terrier/cairn terrier mix, Nigel, a pug, Honey Bee aka Beatrix, a greyhound/Lab and Wrigley a beagle/Lab. All of my pets are rescues.

Jack the Schnoodle

We love you Mike Wazowski!

Oh Nigel!

Honey Bee

What do you do for a living and for fun? 

I work for a computer billing and software management company. For fun I like to garden, read, do stuff with my dogs and pretend I am crafty. I am not crafty, but I enjoy the attempts!

Tell us more about the pets you have now and the pets you have had in the past. 

Because I foster for a rescue, Gentle Doctor has seen a lot of dogs come and go from my house. Last year, we lost five dogs, and without the caring staff, I do not think I would have kept going and rescuing.

Toby, you are missed.

Dexter, you are missed too.

I have so many stories of the dogs and my ancient cat I wouldn’t know where to begin! Sassie Cat was adopted from the Nebraska Humane Society at 18 years of age, and she is still going strong!

Sassie Cat, doing well at 24 years of age!

Tell us about when you first met the Gentle Doctor team or a story about the team others may not know. 

The first appointment, I brought Riley in to check out the staff and facilities. I met Dr. Bashara, and I don’t know if he knew immediately how special Riley was, but he got down on the ground and cuddled him like he had known him for years. He had me at the first cuddle. 

Dr. Finch is currently our go-to vet for Wrigley. Wrigley had parvo and distemper as a puppy, and she has lingering effects from it. Dr. Finch, Kelly, Stephanie and Jen all have been very encouraging as we navigate the waters with a special needs dog. We also love Dr. Ryan and Dr. Stokes!

What have you learned about pets that you did not know as a kid or before you had your own pets? 

I have learned that I like old dogs more than puppies. That is why I try to only foster puppies. They are a lot of work, and I am not tempted to keep them!

Oh Trudy Tiger Killer, you are missed too, sweet girl.

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? 

What haven’t I seen? I should have said that  I still haven’t seen Cushing’s disease or Addison’s disease.

Do you have a favorite breed or type of pet? 

I love dogs. All dogs. Although I am partial to beagles, Labs, feisty terriers and pugs.

Is there a shelter or rescue group that is dear to you that you would like us to help spread the word about? 

Basset and Beagle Rescue of the Heartland!

Is there a non-pet related cause you would like us to help spread the word about?  

Siena/Francis House and Lydia's House!

Is there anything else we should include in your story? 

Some people may think of rescues as second-hand pets. Don’t think that. They are just as loving, special and deserving of love as any other animal. If you do buy from a breeder, do your research. Go to the breeder facility. See the parents. And of course many, many purebreds are at your local shelter and rescues!  

Happy New Year!

2015 marks the 50^th Anniversary of Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals! Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals was started as Mapleview Animal Clinic on May 6, 1965 by Dr. Pete Bashara’s father, Dr. Bob Bashara.

Dr. Bob Bashara and Dr. Pete Bashara (and their friends!)

As part of our year-long celebration, we are dedicating FIFTY weekly blog posts to fifty of our awesome clients (including you!) who have made these first fifty years possible, and everything from here on out possible as well.

We have been blessed by you and are blessed by you now. THANK YOU for everything.

We would like to celebrate YOU – YOUR PETS – OUR TEAM this year.

We are Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals.

Please consider having your family featured in our weekly blog in 2015. Let us know if you would like to participate by filling out a short emailed interview and sharing pictures of your pets by contacting us here in the comments, on Facebook, on Twitter or by emailing Shawn Finch, DVM at sfinch@gentledoctoranimalhospitals.com.

Thank you for fifty wonderful years. Please join us as we look back at the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future. Here’s to fifty more…and more!