Unexpected Challenges

[ladysprite]

I've always known that my job would throw curveballs at me, and I had always kind of figured that I was more or less prepared for most of them. Even if the challenges were the sort of thing that you can't prepare for in specific, I thought I knew the general forms they'd take. Coping with death, and emotional turmoil. Facing down icky bodily fluids. Physical risk and danger. Trying to educate the recalcitrant.

Yesterday I faced a challenge that had never even begun to flicker at the edges of my consciousness as a potential obstacle. Namely, how the heck does one handle taking care of a pet that has the same first name as your mother?

I tried, I honestly did. But standing there, petting the critter and saying, 'Good girl, M____,' 'Has M___ been using the litterbox well?' and 'Sit, M___! Down, M____!' and 'Be nice, M_____, and let me check your ears now,' just felt WAY the heck too weird.

After a few minutes I just cracked up, and then took a moment to explain the situation to the client, who graciously (and amusedly) didn't complain when I made it the rest of the way through the appointment referring to her pet as 'sweetie.'

Still, there's a part of me that can't get that creepy-bizarre juxtaposition out of my head.....

Comments

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Whoa, cognitive dissonance!

[citabria]

I think it's fair to say that most vets wouldn't think of that -- but, now thinking on the number of pets I've know/known of to have usual human first names ... you're probably not the only one to be faced with that particular challenge.

Just so you know, I'll probably keep randomly laughing about this for the rest of the night. :)

[grum]

Gah! Whoops. That would definitely be odd. It's bad enough when someone comes into the pharmacy sharing a last name with someone I've known and at least they're human!

[ladymondegreen.livejournal.com]

Yeah, all of akawil's mother's pets are named after historical figures (the current ones are Jenny, Pete and Walter, so I can easily see this coming up.

Good on you for dealing with it with aplomb instead of remaining uncomfortable.

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

Just be careful not to say "Good kitty" the next time you see your mother.

[ladymacgregor.livejournal.com]

Oh, I dunno. Based on when I worked for a vet as a kid, I'm sure you have seen LOTS of absolutely whacked-out pet names (as well as the equivalent of "Spot" or "Blackie" or something equally imaginative).

My favorite - and I am not making this up: "Titty". It was short for "Titty Tat." (I mean, imagine having to call that cat in from your yard.) I believe I opted for some form of "sweetie" for him, also, during his visits.