Meet Bear!

Woof! Let me introduce myself!  My name is Bear and I am the canine office manager at Avondale Veterinary Complex. I supervise the daily activities from behind the front desk at the main clinic.  I came to be part of the Avondale family in 2007 after I was hit by a car.

I was in bad shape and Dr. Woodruff and the rest of the staff worked very hard to save me. I was very bruised; my back right leg was badly broken and after four hours of surgery, Dr. Woodruff wasn’t sure I would make it.

My owners weren’t able to take care of me, so I became part of the Avondale family. I was sleeping at night in one of the exam rooms with several large doggy beds, blankets, a night light, food water and a few toys to keep me company. During the day I would hang out behind the front desk, which became the fulltime position at Avondale that I hold today. (Some folks kid that I’m the guard dog, but even though I’m large and lean at 85 pounds, little dogs scare me. People think that’s funny, but when little dogs bark, it sounds like an alarm going off and I just want to get out of there!)

Anyway, after four months my leg wasn’t healing well, even with all the special care I was getting. I had nerve damage from the beginning and it wasn’t getting any better. My fractured leg was worse than before. So, the leg was amputated and I’m now a large, furry tripod. Trust me, having four legs is over estimated. I’m doing just fine with three!

I have a pretty good nature and I really enjoy my job here at Avondale. The staff is wonderful and they take turns taking me home for sleepovers. It’s like spending the night in a five star doggy hotel, only better because love is included.  The Avondale clients are so nice to me. They bring me toys and treats and lots of ear scratches and sweet words. Dr. Woodruff had to put me on doggy treat rations, because I was getting so many that I was gaining weight!

So there you have my story. I’m a lucky dog to have so many people to take care of me! I learn a lot hanging around here and I’m going to use this blog to pass on some of that information to you. Tips and stories and maybe a joke sometimes. I hope to help you take care of your pet and maybe bring a wag to your tail now and then.  FOLLOW ALL MY ADVENTURE BELOW!  Woof!

Bear  

Bear's Halloween Party

Bear decided to have a Halloween Party.  Of course he wanted all of his guests to come in their costumes.  Not everyone was happy about

having to get all dressed up to come, but they did anyway.

They started the day with a Halloween Parade through Avondale so all the employees and doctors could enjoy seeing them all dressed up.

They loved the applause and the "Oh, how cute" and "boooo-ti-ful" phrases they heard.

After playtime, they settled down for a special doggie Halloween treat and every dog had such a good time.  Bear was sure the party was a

huge success and can't wait until next year's party!

Bear's Trip to the Ewing Park Dog Park

Bear heard there was going to be a new Dog Park just West of the Avondale Animal Hospital at Ewing Park.  He desperately wanted to go play at this park with the other dogs.  As soon as he heard they were going to have an Open House for all of the dog owners and their dogs, he begged to go!

 Naturally, Bear always gets what he wants!  He gladly hopped in Jessica's car and they headed to the Open House.  Avondale was donating a First Aid kit for the Dog Park and Bear wanted to be there to help with the presentation.  There were so many people there and all breeds and sizes of dogs.  Bear was excited!  He ran and played all morning.  He found out that the park has volunteers that serve as Dog Park Ambassadors and he met several of them while he was there. 
 

Bear received the Red Carpet treatment at the Ewing Park Dog Park and even had his picture taken on the "Red Carpet". 
 

Bear felt he had really had a wonderful time and he just can't wait to go visit the Dog Park again.

Bear Goes To An Iowa Cubs Baseball Game

 
Dr. Tricia Beasley decided it would be a good idea if Bear could experience an Iowa Cubs Baseball game because he is such a sports fan.  Bear was ALL FOR IT!  He dressed up for the event in his sporting attire.
 
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team that is affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League.  The Iowa Cubs play their home games at the Principal Park in Des Moines.

Bear Participates in Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure

Bear felt it was very important to be part of the Race for the Cure.  He knew that several members of the Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex staff and some of their children would be participating and he wanted to as well. 

He was so surprised when he saw more than 20,000 people participating in this event in Des Moines!  The weather was absolutely perfect, the State Capitol was pink and the Race raised more than $1,000,000 in the fight against breast cancer.  Bear felt truly blessed to have been part of such an important, life saving event!

Bear Visits The Carlisle Fire Department

Bear wanted to meet some of the fire fighters who protect us, so he visited the Carlisle Fire Department.  He met Tyler Beckler, Leanne Rice and Justin Sjullie.  They explained their jobs to Bear and he was very impressed!  He especially liked the big fire truck and was glad they didn't turn on the siren while he was there.
 
He thinks their job is very dangerous and is happy they are willing to devote so much time to protecting us.

Bear Visits the

Carlisle Police Department

It was a beautiful fall day at Avondale.  Bear decided he wanted to visit his good friend, Brady Jackson, one of the policemen with the Carlisle Police Department.  Brady stops out at Avondale periodically to say hello to Bear and Bear wanted to return the favor.

Brady showed Bear all around and talked to him about what he does on his job every day.  Bear was very impressed and sure was happy we have Brady around to protect us.

CLICK HERE for More Adventures With Bear!