Peak Vets Open Day

Above: my son Jasper having his afternoon nap, guarded from wolves and monsters by Porky and Kevin.

We've got two old moggies, Towser (12) and Barney (16), but currently no dogs, as one of our dogs, Porky, an English Bull Terrier, was stolen in Endcliffe Park four years ago, and the other, a mongrel called Kevin, ran off when a friend was walking him in Derbyshire at lambing season. I haven't got over losing my dogs yet but when I do, I may get another one, although as any pet carer knows, you can't replace a pet who is gone.

Above: Towser and Porky chilling out.

When we need to use a vet, we go to Peak Vets, near the bottom of Olivet Road (it's actually number 36), Woodseats.

It's run by vets:

Greg Firth, and

Steven Goodyear, as well as vetinary nurses

Sharon Jenkinson

and Emma Wilder.


I can't praise this practice enough. I admire anyone who works in the vetinery profession, but Peak Vets has something very special about it. They give a level of personal care that is rare anywhere nowadays.

This Sunday 10th December, Peak Vets are having an open day so you can see for yourself what I mean. It's between 12 and 5pm, and it is what it says on the tin - an open day. You can see what the surgery looks like beyond the waiting room, where your pets stay when they visit, and find out what goes on in an operating theatre. As well as tours round the practice there will be mulled wine and mince pies (YESSSS!), face painting, competitions for children and adults and a Santa's Grotto.

Above, my daughters Hollie and Jodie with Tiger-Lily (RIP) and Towser, in 1994.

I found out about this open day through the Peak Vet newsletter which is more like a burgeoning magazine than a newsletter. It's beautifully produced, well written, friendly and classy all in one. It fits in perfectly amongst our other magazines which comprise National Geographic, New Scientist, Viz, Vanity Fair, Singletrack (mountain biking mag) and BIRDS (RSPB mag).

Above: my daughter Jodie with Kevin and Porky.

The funniest part of the Winter 2006 issue is the "How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?" section. Whoever wrote that really understands dogs (and cats!)...I'll reproduce a couple of them here:

How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?

Boxer: Who cares, I can still play with my squeaky toy in the dark.
Beagle: How many biscuits do I get?
Border Collie: Just one, and I'll replace any wiring that's not up to standard.
Cat: Cats don't change light bulbs, people change light bulbs. So the real question is: How long will it be before I can expect light?

Hur hur hur :)

Peak Vets also offer the following:

• Free nurse clinics run by Emma and Sharon, including clinics on Dental care, Arthritis management, Weight management, Diabetic management and Nutritional management.
• Nail clipping and expressing anal glands (ewww! Needs must, though!)
  
• Puppy socialisation classes (I may suggest they start running these for teenage girls as well.)
• Special offers on microchips, flea treatments, vaccinations, boosters, worming programmes and other drugs.
• Free treatment of indiginous wildlife.
  

The Peak Vet website is here- a really well laid out and easily navigated site.

If you have a pet, then Peak Vets on Sunday is the only place to be in Sheff. We will be there :)

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