Dr. Don DeForge Silver Sands Veterinary

Happiness! 26April2013 A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy? Albert Einstein   We have just witnessed the most painful terrorist attack in Boston, Massachusetts since 9-11-2001.  Read about one of the heroes of the Boston Marathon Bombing, Heather Abbott, in the link below: Boston Marathon amputee describes terror attack horror, 'reminded me of 9/11' Heather Abbott of Newport, R.I., describes her harrowing journey from the bombing to her choice to amputate her leg. She also gives thanks for the support she’s had from Matt Chatham, Michelle Obama and many others, saying, ‘I really haven't had a moment yet of being devastated,’ Read more:  http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/boston-marathon-amputee-describes-terror-attack-horror-reminded-9-11-article-1.1328189#ixzz2RbNLSnjX I am dedicating this blog to the heroes of the Boston Marathon.  Those that ran into the fire and smoke to save others realizing that other expl...

Dr. George Whitney dies at age 94 in Vermont A True  Connecticut Veterinary Legend Veterinary Medicine loses an icon but his memory will always  captivate our hearts! “It is never too late to be what you might have been.”  ―  George Eliot It is impossible to describe veterinary legend, Dr. George Whitney, in a few paragraphs.  George Eliot probably states it the best....."It is never too late to be what you might have been!" Dr. Whitney and I first crossed passed when I was a freshman veterinary doctor "wet behind the ears" and he was a senior practitioner of 53 years of age in Orange, CT.  He drew me to his practice in Orange, CT and treated me like a son.  He never wanted to go backward........... but wanted to learn from me all of the new medical technology from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.  He explained cases to me as the country doctor would explain those same cases to an intern at Yale-New Haven Hospital. ...

Animal Doc AM 14Feb2013 Happy Valentine's Day Dr. Don DeForge "It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."   Samuel Butler I am very happy to return today with a new ANIMAL DOC AM for all of my faithful followers. What better day to return than on Valentine's Day 2013.  There is so much controversy over this holiday.  Some feel it is overdone.   Others feel it is a  capitalism-created holiday for corporations and the world of business to line their pockets through;expensive dinners and fine wines; gifts of jewelry; greeting cards; flowers; chocolates; etc. etc. etc. To give you my opinion as Animal Doc AM, I want to share a short story.  A very special friend gave me a sticker a few days ago that she was given to her by an acquaintance..it reads "Kindness Matters!" The preoccupation with Valentine's Day giving would become a forgotten problem if "Kindness Matters" was the way we treated our loved ones all year long. Th...

The Perfect Storm-Hurricane "Sandy"  October 29th 2012 A Commentary by Don DeForge, VMD DeForge Special Edition-DeForge Reports 03Nov2012 “There are moments  when you have to just walk away and cry.”   Lou Angeli  Hurricane "Sandy" passed six days ago.  The suffering in the aftermath is here and is real.  Homes have been washed away; gas fires have torched others homes; many live without electricity, heat, food, water, and shelter.  The subways in NY were flooded; bridges and tunnels were closed preventing entrance or exit from NYC.  Staten Island's shore community; New Jersey's shore; Long Island's shores; Connecticut's shore; and so many other eastern seaboard state's shorelines have been reduced to rubble. In the midst of this, the New York City Marathon was being scheduled.  Port-a-Toilets, bottled water, and generators were lined up on the NYC route.  Hundreds of New York police were assigned to the race.  Finally, after a publ...

Oral Pain In Companion Animals Finding Help-Restoring a Quality of Life Conquering Toothaches and Gum Disease Don DeForge, VMD-Animal Doc AM Multi-Media “It's the hardest thing in the world to go on being aware of someone else's pain.”  ―  Pat Barker In the last twenty years, modern veterinary dentistry in companion animals has grown from being a "new baby" in the 90's to an actuality with an identity mirroring human oral care in 2012.   Veterinary dentists are available in most communities.  Please view the Internet for the designation of Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry and Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College.  These sites will in detail explain the differences between a Fellow and a Diplomate.  It will describe their Mission Statements and the work being done by each group to provide quality and pain free lives to the companions you love by addressing their oral problems. No pet should live with a toothache or gum disease. ...

The Next 100 Years Veterinary Medicine of the Future In this essay, Dr. Don DeForge, Animal Doc AM Multi-Media, explores the Future Road Veterinary Medicine must take to provide and care for the Animal Kingdom   " Rest when you`re  weary . Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work." Ralph Marston -      In their feature  A 100 Year Family Tradition - Veterinary Practice News -October 2012, Marissa Heflin reviews a family that has had ties to veterinary medicine for 100 years. Dr. Jennifer Olson graduated from Cornell University in 2009.  Her great grandfather initiated the line of veterinarians in this family when he graduated from Cornell in 1909.  Four generations of graduate veterinarians from Cornell, all from this same family, have carried the "torch" of veterinary medical practice from 1909 to 2009.  It is quite an accomplishment.      Jennifer states, "My Dad has taught me to b...

Farm Sanctuary 2012  A Tribute from Dr. Don DeForge Animal Doc AM Multi-Media 30September2012 "It is only when we give joyfully without hesitation or thought of gain~can we truly know what love means!" Leo Buscaglia What is Farm Sanctuary?   From Farm Sanctuary National Headquarter-Farm Sanctuary's Magazine: "Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization.  Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal industry" through research and investigations, legal and legislative actions, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts.  The three Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, NY; Los Angeles, CA; and Orland, CA provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming." Visit FarmSanctuary.org to read more abou...