My real Hero

My dad.

He works at an animal shelter/veterinary clinic in Jupiter, Florida. He doesn't own it, but he's the head vet there.

Now, my dad's a softie, which I inherited. He owned his own clinic here in Canada for a good part of my youth, and I can't tell you how many animals he saved, knowing full well he'd never see a red cent.
It got to the point where the local Humane Society would just bring critters to him, knowing he'd patch them up and find homes for them, or, in the case of the many wild animals they brought around, set them free.

Owls? Raccoons? Swans? A bat? Squirrels? A turtle? No problem. Take 'em to Dr. Wells.

I have to admit, it was a really fun upbringing. And there's nothing I loved more than feeding baby birds, and helping them learn to fly. It was always sad to see them go, but at the same time, so amazingly satisfying.

I loved working with my dad at the clinic. Loved it. If I could be doing that still, I would.
Getting to hang out with my dad all day, playing with the healthy animals, caring for the sick ones, and gently soothing the ones whose lives were ending as they fell asleep? Feels much better than shuffling paper and making sure money gets moved from one place to another.
I have a feeling that it wouldn't be the same if I were working for another vet. I know that a big part of it was my dad.

So I'm so proud that he's working somewhere that fits in with his kind nature, and not some upselling clinic, trying to turn a bigger profit this year...

Some volunteers from the clinic went up to the areas affected by Katrina, and brought back some four legged evacuees. Some are banged up, one is really sick, they had to put down a couple of cats who were FIV positive (kitty AIDS), but they're doing their best. The shelter is FULL thanks to the rescued critters, so they're really hopping.

If you want to help them out, their website is http://safeharbor.jupiterdaily.com/pages/Home
They're doing good things.