I have loved animals since I was little. When I was five,almost six,we lived in Texas. There I was able to go to my grandparents ranch where my older brother and I would feed grasshoppers and help with cows. One cow in particular,a black angus heifer known fondly as Cow 39, was my favorite and reason behind my love for cows. 39 would rub against me like a friendly Labrador and I'd rub and love her back. She was and is my favorite girl. We moved back to Michigan when I was six years old. Two years ago,when I was fifteen,we went to my grandparents ranch for Christmas. There I was reunited with Cow 39,who was around fifteen at the time. She remembered me and I her and we rubbed each other fondly. Her sand paper like tongue dragged across my face as she gave me her traditional welcome back greeting. With her was a calf which she proceeded to call over to where we stood. Side by side and reunited we walked together like a dutiful duo. Some people look into the eyes of a cow and see a dumb brute made for food. Yes we eat them,I do too,but I don't see a dumb brute in 39 or anyother cow for that matter. She was where my love for cows blossomed. It was on my Uncle's ranch,astride his two year old palomino Quarter Horse filly,that my love for horses peeked. When I sat and watched Spirit on TV and when I sent their dog down to bring up the herd; seeing all those mares thunder past me,like from the movie, my love for horses blossomed and exploded. In a way, I have Texas to thank for all that.

As I grew older my love for larger animals grew and my yearn to help animals began to grow. It started with my parakeet,Rainbow,when his father almost literally tore his throat out. I held him in my arms as he bled and cleaned him up. Together my mom and I helped nurse him to health. He healed and was back to flying and sitting on my shoulder in no time. Next came all the stray cats I fed,allergic or not,I always had food waiting for them. Stray dogs were no different,each one I named and left food for. I still  haven't forgotten each cat,bird and dog I tried to help. My allergies to cats was always bad,hospital worthy in fact. Dogs have never bothered me too much until recently,puberty hit and my allergy to dogs increased. I also owned rabbits,two bucks, that I trained and cared for. They lived happy lives until death did us part. I found out then I was allergic to rabbits,cats,dogs and birds. The only animals I wasn't allergic to were and are horses,cows and chickens. I had decided I would be a vet after pondering many different careers. Perhaps a chef,but I can't cook. A teacher,but I don't like kids. Doctor,but I don't want to see the pain and deal with all those people. Artist,but I'd definitely be starving and author or writer is not an option. Lawyer would be a torturous experience and accounting would drive me crazy. I settled on large animal DVM,but not without a lot of doubts. Now,I'm sure it's what I want.

There is a blog I follow,A Vets Guide To Life,written by Christian vet Dr. Chris. He works in a small animal clinic in Oregon,I believe. He writes the daily going ons at the clinic and answers questions. His one and most recent blog was about vet school and today's youth. To sum it up,vet school is very expensive and most students leave very much in debt. A recent poll and study showed most students aren't debt free until retirement age. He then said statistics show that small animal vets are making out better than the large animal vets are. Because of the large amount of debt,most vets don't really ever make a profit. So,as he asked,is it really worth going to vet school? Most students get scared of the debt and drop out into human medicine,where debt isn't as high,math and school isn't as hard,and the paycheck is large. So why be a vet with those negatives? His answer,becuae you love what you do. Because you don't mind that debt as long as you are doing what you love. If being a vet is important to you,and you love it,then do it. Dr. Chris,I like you. As he continued to say,many people,friends,family and strangers,will try to discourage you from that road. It's hard and may lead nowhere. Keep your chin up and barrel on through because you got this.

When I talked to Dr. Esterline,he said that few students are studying to become large animal vets anymore as its a hard and somewhat dangerous field. Girls especially aren't studying large animals. He said Michigan is fairly saturated with equine and large animal vets but the South,as i stated,is not. Texas,Florida and other southern states,and New Jersey and some east coast states,need large animal vets. New Jersey vets make around 117,269 dollars on average. Hawaii vets,depending on area,and relevance,can make up to 170,000 a year. Texas and Florida,in the more rural areas,make from 90-115,000 a year. Equine and bovine vets are in high demand. I told Dr. Esterline I plan on moving to Texas,buying a decent amount of land,a few mares and starting as a vet. They're in high demand and I'll do well there financially. He said that was a good idea since Texas really needs more large animal vets along with other southern states. I told him I'd attend LCC as pre-grad and MSU for vet school,he said that too was a wise idea. 

I remember I was talking to Brie,her parents work at a horse rescue center. She said they get big horses that are traumatized and don't always do well with the vet,it can get scary at times. I told her about Jac and his size and some of his hostile outbreaks when I dealt with him,she was shocked. Brie said she doesn't like big horses,they make her nervous, the fact that I continued to deal with Jac,to ensure he got the MTG so those itchy rub spots went away was braver than her. Either I was brave or just too stubborn and foolish to quit,but I'll let Julie judge that. Anyway,she asked if the thought of giving vaccines to both huge and little horses scared me at all.....no...it doesn't. It's a challenge I look forward to and something I'll enjoy,big horse or not. Helping and caring for horses and cows is what I want to do,I'll not let size or temper dissuade me from that job. I've been stepped on by a Thoroughbred,kicked by a Quarter Horse, scratched by an Azteca with rocks in her hooves and pinned by a flaky Clydesdale(don't ask). Jac needed MTG to help his itchy spots,I did not see it as helping a friend's horse,I saw it as helping a horse in general. His temper tantrums did nothing to dissuade me from applying the ointment three days a week. Rose had a few large rocks in her hooves,making her a bit stiff. I dodged her hooves on occasion but still got the rocks and mud all out to hopefully prevent soreness to the frog. She needed assistance and I gave it and enjoyed it.

My love for horses and cows is strong. My love for wanting to be a vet is strong. And it all started with Cow 39..........

Have a happy ride~