When Molly’s mom (my much-loved niece Maggie) asked me to design a Future Veterinarian name badge for her daughter’s Halloween costume it made me smile.
It wasn’t just because I adore this little girl (I do, and I adore her 2 siblings as well) but I love it when a youngster has a purpose at such a young age. Especially when it centers around animals, one of my obvious passions.
Of course, I count many hundreds of veterinarians among my friends and customers. Not than I’m prejudiced towards that profession…(haha…of course I am)
I can’t wait to see if Molly maintains this interest as she grows older. I wouldn’t be surprised. She’s also a super skilled young wrestler. Now that’s something that could come in handy as a vet. I’ve seen a few big animals that might require some “physical persuasion” in a veterinary office.
Generations of Animal Lovers
My sister Holly (Maggie’s mom) is an animal addict too. This “animal addiction” seems to be hereditary. But thus far none of us has taken up an animal related field as a profession, unless my being an animal jeweler counts. (I think it should)
Our mom Kathryn was an artist as well as an animal lover. We had a houseful of critters as kids, including a hamster, a couple of turtles, tropical fish, a couple of Dalmatians and a tabby cat. And of course assorted tadpoles, salamanders, caterpillars and Daddy longleg spiders that really enjoyed liverwurst.
I found animals fascinating, and as a kid even carried earthworms around with me in a little satchel while riding my orange-tired bicycle up and down the sidewalks of our hometown. I’m not really clear what I had in mind at the time. But I’m pretty sure the worms didn’t mind. Who knows? Maybe they thought it was exhilarating.
Neither me nor any of my 3 siblings have been long without an animal companion of some sort.
And my grandkids, (though some of them are admittedly anxious around the creepy crawly types) love animals as well. They have grown up with cats. But that affection has definitely transferred and blossomed with the addition of our latest menagerie members, the lovely chestnut horse “Sweets” and her adorable (and increasingly fluffy as the days get colder) equine companion “Lena.”
Exotic Animal Pets
I never did get the skunk or duck or chameleon pets I longed for as a child. But luckily, I can feed my fascination with the more exotic types by designing them as jewelry. You’ve may have noticed a few when browsing through my website.
I think Vets treating exotic animals must have an interesting time of it. And I will forever be amazed, astounded and impressed with what it takes to be a veterinarian. After all, they are not mere doctors of one species like our human MDs and specialists. They have to treat a tremendous variety of body types, especially those handling reptiles, birds and so on.
So Molly, I wish you the very best in your future career. If your interest in Veterinary medicine doesn’t wane, you will be joining (in my opinion) one of the smartest, most caring professions on the planet.
And now, it’s your turn to tell me what your youngest family members want to be when THEY grow up! I would love to hear the range of careers your little ones are interested in.
Your Animal Loving Artist,
Merry