I heard the first crack followed by a loud pop. My hands tightened around the tree branches hoping that would save me in the event that things decided to go south, literally. I clung to the snow-covered limb not moving a muscle. So far things seemed to be holding. I could see the ground some 60 to 70 foot below me all covered in snowy powder from the night before, and I knew it would be of little cushion if I fell out of this tree.
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Doc Smith's Blog
Journaling about veterinary medicine, life in Cumberland Valley, pet care, and other topics.
Stories of family life and history
Nov
13
Jan
20
Hello, Blog World! I want to share with you what happened to me a day or two ago. I was lectured at by Daisy Fuentes, the supermodel of MTV and AFV fame. So, since she publically shamed me, I feel the need to publicly respond. (Okay, more like I want to respond.)
Oct
03
There are lots of ways to reduce stress. However, I tend to look for healthy ways to devolve the days. Hard work, dogs, and getting dirty. Here's a little insight to my fall afternoons.
Sep
28
A few weeks ago, the Bob and Sheri Show took calls for people who had life experiences where things got out of hand. They described it as, "A day where you needed to blow a whistle and have everything stop!" I had one of those days nearly 16 years ago. Yes, I know that there are similar days, events, hard hours to trudge through since, but nothing like this day. (I called in to the show and got on! But, I wanted to tell you the rest of the story.)
Mar
29
It’s not a secret that I am very involved with my scout Troop 0828. We have a lot of fun, and our adventures have even been featured blogs here on my site. However, every new hike or campout brings alive a new story that teaches me something I never expected.
Feb
09
Holiday season at my grandparents house in northwestern Ohio was always an adventure. The stories and memories I have of those days are some of my most treasured. Life was so different then compared to now. Even the world was different. My best explanation is, "We are the last Andy Griffith generation." For you older folks, you understand what I mean.
Nov
13
As many of you may know, I have been involved with scouting since 2002. That's when my oldest Son, Alyn became a Tiger Cub in Cub Scouts. From there he worked his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. I am very proud of his achievements. My youngest son, Ken has followed in his footsteps and should complete his Eagle Scout this year. I am determined to help him anyway I can to meet his goals.
So, to spend time with my boys, in a productive manner that's challenging and fun, I have immersed myself into the scout lifestyle, becoming the Scout Master for Troop 828. It is a joy. Seriously, if you have boys, you should join scouting and stick with it! (That's a sermon for another day).
Latest Blogs
17 November 2017
Veterinary Medicine provides vast opportunities to see many strange and wonderful things. This profession also provides daily possibilities to make you look like an idiot. These stories give rise to the romantic ideas and dreams that everyone believes life as a modern veterinarian must be. I can’t deny that I have seen my fair share of crazy over the last three decades, but it’s the routine stuff that will drive you mad.
17 November 2017
Clients ask me all the time, “If this were your pet, what would you do?”
I appreciate your question, and yes I hear what you are asking of me. However, it is an unfair question and I sweat a little each time someone asks me. I do not want you to be offended in any way by my saying it makes me nervous because I truly am flattered that you have that much confidence in me to ask.
02 November 2017
Pet Obesity is a problem. We know this. The question is, why are our animals so stricken with obesity? I mean dogs can’t open the fridge and make a sandwich nor remove the top of the soda-pop can. If one ever shows that talent, I'm buying him!!!
02 November 2017
I heard the first crack followed by a loud pop. My hands tightened around the tree branches hoping that would save me in the event that things decided to go south, literally. I clung to the snow-covered limb not moving a muscle. So far things seemed to be holding. I could see the ground some 60 to 70 foot below me all covered in snowy powder from the night before, and I knew it would be of little cushion if I fell out of this tree.
02 November 2017
So, yesterday I was looking at a dog in my exam room when I made a horrible statement that got me in a lot of trouble. After I said it, I got “The Look.”
31 October 2017
I find it very interesting when reading The Bible that there are two famous parables related to the same subject: that of something that was of value that was lost and then found.
10 July 2017
Every day at Cumberland Valley we are asked to deal with dermal tumors of some nature. Of course, as a rule of thumb, the sooner you identify and remove a potentially life-threatening lesion or mass, the better the outcome would be expected. Still, sometimes factors get in the way of early identification and we are presented with much larger growths that prove hard to remove.
05 April 2017
I believe it was Lord Byron that penned the phrase, “Truth is stranger than fiction,” which of course I have been saying wrong all along as, “Life is stranger than fiction.” Whichever saying you hold nearest and dearest to your heart, I would enjoy reinforcing your philosophy with one of the craziest veterinary stories I have had the pleasure and awe in dealing with lately. This is the story of Cookie, or as we like to call him, Zombie Dog.
Testimonials
Testimonial 1
I'm a first time (continuously) nervous/worried pet owner. When we first got Huey back in January Dr. Keaton was referred to us by a family member who takes their pets there. I couldn't be more satisfied with the care he has been given, or the reassurance he gives me. Dr. Keaton and his wife seen our sweet Huey during the 12-15 inch snow storm we got a few months back, staying late in the office until we made it there. I couldn't express my gratitude enough. I would recommend him to anyone, anytime. Hands down, the best!!
Testimonial 2
I am SO THANKFUL for Dr. Smith and the staff at Cumberland Valley Animal Hospital!!! They saved my dog's life! I walked in there on Monday morning, having never been there before, with a very sick dog that had already been hospitalized for two weeks at another hospital. They took us right in and did such a thorough job. Dr. Smith found the cause of the issue, operated that same day, and now we are happily at home recovering. Thank you so very much!
Testimonial 3
We found Dr. Keaton Smith on a very sad day for our family. Our Baby, a chocolate lab, had parvo and was literally dying. We took her to Dr. Smith and even though she died twice he worked with her and gave us 11 more years with her. When she got cancer and we had to put her down he was so caring and understanding. He was right there through all the good and bad times during her 12 years and we just live him. I am also a Mimi to a grandpup and my daughter will not take him any place else.
Their boarding/kennel staff are also very caring when we have to kennel him. They care that he is frightened and understand the fact that he is a rescue and that makes it easier on us to leave him.
All in all they are a wonderful group of people that tame their jobs very seriously and perform it very well. Way to go CVAH, You guys are GREAT!!!!
Testimonial 4
I've been using Cumberland Valley Animal Hospital for years!!!! They got my dog through a leg amputation. Also they were great and empathetic when my kitten passed from a tumor. I cannot stress how great these folks are. Dr. Smith is a skilled vet and has always taken time to show my animals lots of love when they come in. So glad my fur babies are in such good hands!
Testimonial 5
Dr. Smith has taken care of my "puppy brother" since 2006. I think they see him at least once a month because of allergies or hurting his back jumping off things.
I also drive from Lexington with my two cats when they need care because no one else compares to the staff at CVAH.
Testimonial 12
They are excellent all of the staff. We have 3 cats now 2 dogs-All of our animals have gone here and have not had any issues. If we had any questions they were quick to answer or guide us to what we needed. Leo just joined our family and goes back next week for next round of shots looking forward to his progress the past 3 weeks. Thank you and highly recommend.
Testimonial 14
If anyone is looking for a veterinarian in the area I can not recommend Dr. Smith highly enough! Dr. Smith and his staff take the most amazing care of Chili and go above and beyond what I could ever expect. They are running a practice that cares and not a business concerned only with profit. I think it's extraordinarily rare quality to find a place that cares more for the quality of service they provide than the bottom line, but that's exactly what you receive at Cumberland Valley Animal Hospital.