If I were a Breed of Dog, I’d be A. . .

Terrier Dogs – High Personality, High Energy Dog Group

By Kay King

The dogs that comprise the terrier group are mostly small to medium sized dogs, with high intelligence and personality. Uniformly cute puppies, these dogs are often adopted by owners with no thought of the traits inherent in most terrier breeds.

These canine breeds were developed to hunt and kill vermin such as rats and other small animals. They may have wire, smooth or soft coats and the coat type determines the amount of grooming necessary. When raising a terrier pup it is advisable to regularly handle its ears, tail, and paw and to look into it’s mouth and eyes – this will avoid problems at the vet and in administering any treatment that might be required for an injury.

Though small in stature, most terriers are not well suited to smaller living areas such as apartments. These are high energy dogs that often need a considerably higher level of daily than many of the larger breeds. They require brisk walks and play time or space to run off their energy. Without exercise, they may develop undesirable and destructive habits. Some breeds also have a tendency to bark and yap excessively.

The strong personalities of this group of canines can pose training problems for inexperienced owners. A Jack Russell Terrier may know exactly what you want him to do – and decide not to do it. Obedience training require both calm patience, knowledge of training procedures, and the ability to convince the dog you are leader of his pack.

Training methods must be consistent day after day. A lapse in requiring your dog to obey your obedience commands may require as much effort and time to correct as to teach the command initially.

The joy of these small breeds is in their excitement and happy personalities. They are funny, curious, loving and loyal – always ready for a walk, a ride, an adventure. With proper training and adequate exercise, the terrier group makes wonderful companions.

Rough Brainstorm for Personal Statement

(Fave Intro)  *VET MEDICINE IS DIRTY:

Any veterinarian worth their salt will tell you that they love bodily fluids.  In my ten years of experience I have not encountered a veterinarian that does not take great satisfaction in draining an abscess and seeing copious amounts of pus.  In my daily duties as a veterinary assistant I see urine, feces, vomit, and blood, and do not think twice.  Many times I am adorned with the afore-mentioned substances, but even then I find it amusing.  Talking about such things at meal time is a notorious offense of mine, but being socially correct can be a challenge when you are so excited about all that you see in the veterinary world.  It is this sick fascination that led me to imagine what I would be like if I were an animal staying long term at a veterinary hospital.

Paragraph 1:  Love animals–>  Got involved, still liked it

walk in mud, then jump on walker =

pee from 3rd high cage = keep your sense of humor in job and in life

eat til you puke = if you find something you like, enjoy it to the fullest

Paragraph 2:  Moved to Missouri for Animal Science program and w/hope of vet school & had to work for all funds

paint cage walls = use your iconoclasm to your advantage and customize surroundings to your liking

spin on leash = rebelliously follow your own path, even if others question it

bite = stand up to the challenge

Paragraph 3:  Failed to get into vet school–>  Saint George Loan crisis–>  still motivated

spill water and food = never settle for less than the best

drool everywhere = keep that desire and have the dream in mind

walk around people or objects = work WITH obstacles instead of against them

Conclusion

As I learned during my work with a high volume of boarding and hospitalized animals, starting at a loud and foul-smelling kennel full of complaining cats and dogs, then working hard and leaving that same place with animals that were walked and fed, each cage shiny and clean, the back rooms organized and smelling fresh, every treatment crossed off the list is very satisfying.  If the job started out fast and simple, without the mess and struggle, the end gratification would have been substantially smaller.  Analogous to this scenario, was my journey to veterinary medicine–acceptance into a veterinary school in particular.  At times, the task felt monumental, the road to success convoluted and bleak.  Just like I taught myself tactics to get through the hard work of caring for boarding animals one at a time with dedication and humor, I was driven to make it into the veterinary profession.  I am devoted to becoming a veterinarian because I know realizing the dream I have worked so hard to attain will bring the utmost pleasure.

I have learned to appreciate the journey, and everything I have learned because my initial plans did not fall into place in my preferred timeline.  It is not in spite of my long struggle that I am applying to veterinary school, it is because of the struggle that I know I belong here.  If I would have been easily accepted into a veterinary program the first time I tried, I may have not appreciated the career as much, and I certainly would not have harvested as much practical experience in many different practices, with a variety of managers in varied regions.  My prolonged journey, allowed me to reap more rewards than getting there quickly.I have gleaned many technical skills from every hospital I have helped in, and garnered coping skills to deal with the austere aspects of the admissions process and the more dour aspects of the career.