Back when I still wanted to be a veterinarian, I landed a job as a kennel technician at an adorable clinic called “All Cats.” The vet specialized in cat care and dedicated her practice to helping the stray and feral population in our college town. Wednesdays were spent spaying and neutering trapped kitties through Operation Catsnip. Get it? Cat-snip? Catnip? Ah, word play. Anyway, my tenure at the clinic included feeding, cleaning, and helping medicate cats. Eventually, my title was changed to Veterinary Nurse Assistant, essentially indicating I was a step below the Vet Techs who trained specifically to do more medical procedures. The title came from my learning how to administer subcutaneous fluids to one of our regular patients. As you can well imagine, I was utterly delighted given my love of animals.
My fondness for cats had already been cultivated by my maternal grandparents who kept many cats throughout the years, but learning to care for them in a medical setting truly brought me closer to these feline companions. Each cat had its own personality, and only a few really fit the stereotype of the aloof, selfish cat. Our “in-house” cats especially shined with personality! Sissy, Mac, Flash, and Harley all welcomed patients and their pet parents, prowled around the clinic, and stole my heart. Although I have since left behind that chapter of my life, I wouldn’t trade those memories and experiences for the world!
