This week: The price of keeping pets
Being a vet can be rather routine after 10 years. If it weren't for the occasional splash of article writing, lecturing, radio presenting or television appearance, I imagine things could get pretty bland. The challenges of a youthful veterinarian become much easier with experience.
Apart from keeping up to date on new techniques and discoveries in veterinary science, the daily routine of diagnosing and treating various ailments becomes background to client communication and education. This is not to say there aren't any surprises, but seeing a dog with a fish hook in its stomach is special the first time and routine after more than five times.
Some may ask me: 'So what's being a vet good for then, what's in it for you?' Well, it pays the rent and utilities - not in any extravagant way, but it keeps me happily in middle-class country. I am going to avoid cliches like 'I love animals and working with them' because that is not a reason, but a prerequisite.
My reply usually is: 'It is one of those rare jobs that lets me repay the Hong Kong community for all the opportunities this country has given me in the past. I am often contacted to help people in need of my veterinary skills in unique situations that are sad and require charity.' And today I am going to tell you an animal story with a happy ending, for the animals at least.
A journalist friend of mine called me last week about a story he was covering. It involved a woman who was killed in a car accident. She left behind 10 schnauzers and a chihuahua for her husband to care for. The husband was living in Fanling by himself, with no support, and a delivery job that paid miserably. There was simply no way for him to care for 11 dogs and keep his job, so he cried out for help and the case got media attention.