Family of the Month

Welcome to our Family of the Month feature! Each month we will introduce you to some of the patients and people who we are proud to call part of our family here at the hospital. This month, we would like you to meet …

March 2011: Louie & Daisy Chenoweth

Dook dook dook?

Yes, as a matter of fact, we do speak ferret. And rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, rat, mouse and numerous other small furry languages. We love all creatures great, small and smaller and would love to meet yours.

Louis and Daisy recently visited Family Animal Hospital for their annual inspection and after thoroughly inspecting the exam rooms and the staff, have concluded that we pass muster. These two cute little bandits live in Maryland Heights with their human servants and an entire house full of toys.

February 2011: Oliver Mierkowski

Meet Cupid’s assistant! AKA Oliver Mierkowski ...

Oliver has a long list of things he loves—his wardrobe, his family, snacks, snow ... He even likes coming to the vet! He loves giving kisses, and would like to remind all his canine and feline friends that February is Dental Health Month. So if your buddy's breath is getting in the way of those Valentine's Day smooches, give us a call. Your buddy—and your nose—will thank you. And happy Valentine's Day from Oliver!

January 2011: “Orion” VanDeursen

This handsome little devil is one of our newest family members. Orion is only ten weeks old, but already has us wound around his hairy little finger. He is smart as a whip and already knows several tricks including—of course—"speak". His parents and older sister hope that eventually he'll run out of things to say.

December 2010: Cleo the Longsuffering

"Seriously Mom? A Santa suit??? You didn't see the memo about cats and costumes?"

Cleo is Dr. Chip's very tolerant cat. He graciously allowed himself to be humiliated for this month's edition of Family of the Month, so he can tell you about our holiday toy drive, Toys for Spots.

All through December, we are collecting new dog and cat toys, beds, treats and food to be donated to Dirk's Fund Rescue and the Animal House Fund. Just drop your donations off at our office any time before January 1, and we'll take it from there. Cleo—and all his buddies who are still waiting for permanent homes—thank you! And Cleo will take those sardines now, please.

October 2010: Ziggy Guilliams

Ziggy is one of Dr. Chip's Boxer Buddies (and she has many!). Ziggy lives with her family in St. Ann, and in true Boxer fashion she loves to get in trouble. Her favorite temptations are tormenting honeybees and eating things she finds on the ground. She's a happy, wiggly, overgrown puppy who has never met a stranger.

August 2010: Bella Rose

Greyhound? Did someone say Greyhound?

Meet Bella Rose. Bella can hear anything with those big ears, but her favorite sounds are can openers, crinkling wrappers and her fellow greys getting into mischief. She lives with her foster mom Cindy and her greyhound siblings at one of the wonderful Greyhound Rescue groups in the area.

Beautiful Bella would like the world to know that the folks at Family Animal Hospital know and love greyhounds. Dr. Chip takes care of lots of rescued greyhounds and counts them among her very best friends. She works with several of the rescue groups in the area to get these beautiful retired racers ready for their new homes.

July 2010: Jake "The Mad Scientist" Graybill

Jake met Dr. Chip when he was a tiny, 13-ounce puppy. He's now a 5-pound ball of fire who strikes fear in the hearts of veterinarians everywhere. He may look small, but he has the heart of a tiger and the attitude of a rattlesnake.

Jake's hobbies include shredding stuffed animals, stalking wildlife in the back yard and doing his best impression of the washing machine "spin cycle." He shares his world with sister Bailey and his mom and dad in Maryland Heights.

May 2010: Bagheera

We interrupt this episode of Family of the Month to bring you this important public service announcement from Bagheera:

Attention all cats. You need no longer fear going to the vet. The folks at Family Animal Hospital get it. They really do.

I started coming here after I found my people last year. It's quiet and it smells like baking bread and there are no dogs barking. They let you explore and sniff and claim as many things as you want. And they really seem to understand our personal space issues. And Dr. Chip has a really great lap.

Trust me on this one. Call them. Or have your human do it.

Peace,
Bagheera

March 2010: Sophie & Sadie Caples

No, that's not really a 2-headed dog. Sadie never really planned to share her cozy bed, but changed her mind when little sister, Sophie, joined the family last fall. These 2 beautiful Papillion girls live with their parents Mike and Leslie and big brother Brandon in Florissant.

Sadie (the big sister) is 4 years old and spoiled rotten. She loves going for long walks with her family, soaking in the sun, and chasing anything that moves. Her new sister is keeping her young!

Sophie (little only in stature) is almost 5 months old. She is, to quote the staff here, "ten feet tall and bulletproof." She is grudgingly learning to walk on a leash, loves to be outside with her sister and plays until she falls asleep.

Both girls are regular visitors at our hospital, and love to pose for pictures.

February 2010: Mandy & Layla Koch

Mandy and Layla were our very first patients at Family Animal Hospital! These beautiful Lab ladies live in Bridgeton with their parents, Steve and Patty, and their kids Devin and Ashley.

Layla (the Lovely Chocolate Lab) is 6 years old, although she acts a lot younger. She loves going for long walks with her Mom, sampling socks from the laundry baskets, and keeping the world safe from marauding squirrels.

Mandy (the Sensuous Yellow Lab) is 7 years old, and adopted the Koch’s 18 months ago. She’s a little more sedate than her bouncy younger sister and prefers to be waited on. She does love her walks, and has never been known to turn down a treat.

Mandy and Layla love to visit us at Family Animal Hospital and have made many friends in our clinic. They know where all the cookie jars are, and would be happy to show you!