Scout Ziegler
We are Elizabeth & Jacob Ziegler and our baby “Scout” is very important to us. He sleeps with us and is an indoor dog only.
Scout started vomited and we rushed him in to the clinic. After running some tests, Dr. Simpkins, diagnosed him with parvo.
After being hospitalized and medicated for 5 days, he was well enough to go home.
Scout is doing great! He has gained weight and has lots of energy. He seems so excited and happy.
We really appreciate the staff at Cherokee Hospital for Animals. They were very helpful, kept us up to date on his progress, and cared as much about Scout as we do.
Zoe Smith
This is Zoe, she is one of our four babies. There is something about her that is so different from my others. When she became ill, we were so worried and our other cats seem to sense it as well.
Zoe just was not acting like herself. She just laid around and
would not clean herself or play. We brought her in to see
Dr. Sallee. After her exam , x-rays and an echocardiogram, Zoe
was diagnosed with having heart disease.
Zoe was prescribed heart medication and it has worked wonders!
Zoe is back to her old self. She will have to take medicine the rest of her life, but we will do anything it takes to keep her healthy. We love to see Zoe playing and she is just as sweet as ever.
We really appreciate getting in quickly and finding the cause of her symptoms.
Jane Georgeff
Hello, my name is “Jane“ Georgeff. One day, I started vomiting. It came on all of a sudden and then my mommy became really worried when I vomited blood.
I am the youngest of my mommy’s “furry” children. I have an older sister Violet. I was examined and given some medication to take at home. I still was not feeling well and since I was still vomiting the next day, I was hospitalized. I was given several injection daily and had a barium series with many x-rays to make sure I did not have a blockage. Luckily, I didn’t and after 3 days, I was able to go home.
Dr. Sallee and Dr. Simpkins both treated me while I was sick and they were great!
I am as feisty now as I ever was. I romp and play with Violet daily. My mommy really appreciates the staff. She says they were extremely helpful. She was kept up to date and everyone was very sympathetic and supportive.
Bella Higgs
I am “Bella” Higgs. One Saturday night, I started feeling really sick. I was vomiting and could not eat, drink or use my litter box. All I wanted to do was lay under the bed.
My mommy, Glenna Higgs, is a widow and since she has no close family close by, I and my big sister, Cuddles, are her life. I like to inspire my family and fill their lives with joy! I was rushed to Cherokee Hospital for Animals and after Dr. Simpkins examined me, I was immediately hospitalized. I had several x-rays to make sure I didn't have a blockage. For 3 days, I was given several injections and fluids to get me better. Luckily, I did not have a blockage, just an enormous hairball.
I could not ask for better care at Cherokee. Due to their care I am back to my old self and I have more time to learn new tricks & make more memories with my family. The staff always treats my mom like she is family. They express professionalism, concern and compassion in everything they do
Bailey Detherage
My name is Bailey. While my parents, Judy Peterson & Kenny Detherage, were on vacation, I was attacked by another dog. I had several puncture wounds. My dog sitter took me to see Dr Sallee and luckily my wounds were not life threatening. The staff clipped and cleaned my wounds and gave me antibiotics. I spent 2 nights at the clinic and then my parents came back early just to get me! That shows what an important part of their life I am.
I am doing fine now, thanks to the great care I received at Cherokee Hospital for Animals. The staff showed me a lot of love and treated me like the valued family member I am. The oath they take really comes from the heart.
Nutmeg
My name is Tristan and this is Nutmeg. My parents were taking care of Nutmeg and my other baby, Mocha, while we were on vacation. During this time, Nutmeg became ill. She couldn't keep any food down and lost interest in her normal activities.
Nutmeg is like our furry child. Our poodles mean the world to us. We were so worried. My dad rushed her to their vet and, after Dr. Sallee examined her and ran some labwork, she was diagnosed with Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
She was given IV fluids, medications, and had her bloodwork re-evaluated several times during her five-night hospitalization stay. The entire time she was in the hospital, the staff kept my parents updated on her condition every day, which was a great comfort. This allowed my parents to keep us updated which helped decrease our anxiety since we couldn't be with her.
Our entire family is so thankful for the care she received at
Cherokee. Nutmeg is completely recovered. Even though we could not be with her, it is great she had access to such a competent staff.
Cuddles Higgs
I am “Cuddles” Higgs. I am a 16 yr old, feisty siamese!
Glenna Higgs is my mom and she takes special care of me. In 2006, I came for my normal visit and had my bloodwork run. Dr. Sallee diagnosed me with Kidney disease and since then I have been coming into the clinic two times a week for fluids to be given by my technicians.
My mom had a scare with me last year. I wasn’t feeling well, I did not want to eat, drink or use my litter box. I was immediately brought in and Dr. Simpkins examined me and hospitalized me. My kidney enzymes were elevated so I was given continuous fluids, injections and medications daily to help me get better. Finally, after 6 days, I started to get better. My bloodwork improved and I was able to go back home.
Mom was really worried for me, so to keep me young at heart, she brought home another siamese kitten, Bella! I enjoy watching her but I do not like it when she intrudes on my visits to the clinic. That is my special time!
I have been treated by both Dr. Sallee and Dr. Simpkins. They have been instrumental in keeping me healthy. All the staff treats us like family, they know who we are as soon as we walk in the door! I like to act like I don’t enjoy my fluid therapy, but it is all talk. I know it keeps me healthy.
Sax
My name is Sax. I found my owner, Terry, When I was six months old. We have been best buddies ever since. I am over 11 years old now. Terry & I ran 20 miles a week for a number of years, but due to my arthritis and heart murmur, we had to stop.
In 2007, I came in for boarding and had my normal exam and yearly bloodwork. Dr. Simpkins called and said my liver enzymes were elevated. I started taking daily medications and had an ACTH test and an ultrasound to rule out other illnesses. A few months later, Terry woke up one morning to me wheezing and panting. He brought me to see Dr. Simpkins and after an exam and an ECG, I was diagnosed with a heart murmur and fluid in my lungs. I was referred to a specialist at the University of Tennessee for additional treatment. The doctors at the University of Tennessee and Cherokee saved my life. I take daily medications for my heart, arthritis, and fluid build up, but I don't mind if it means I can be around Terry longer.
Even though we can no longer run, we do walk about 10 miles per week and it feels great!
Thank you Cherokee Hospital for Animals!
Allie Farr
My name is Allie Farr, and even though I am only 13 weeks old I have already experienced my first car accident. January 12, 2009, I accidentally got in the way of the car door and got squished. Unable to stand and drooling, my mom rushed me to Cherokee Hospital for Animals.
When I arrived at the hospital the doctor and technicians started tests and treatments immediately. Mom, dad and 3 other family members waited anxiously while I had x-rays, iv fluids and steroid injections.
After being home just a couple of days I started feeling like myself again. And 1 week after my car accident you would never know I had been squished in a car door.
Komatzu
Hi my name is Josie Houser and this is my kitty Komatzu. New Year’s eve a very bad thing happened, our house caught on fire. My momma, Jamie, and daddy, Adam, and myself got out safely, but Komatzu wasn’t as lucky. He was afraid, and when he finally ran out of the burning house, the firemen had to extinguish him because he was on fire. His fur was singed, and his little feet and ears were burned.
Mom & Dad took him to see Dr. Simpkins right away. She gave us medication to take home for him, and he had all four paws bandaged. After all that we have been through we were very happy to know that everyone at Cherokee was so concerned; they called often to check on him.
Komatzu is almost completely better now. He has his bandages off and his fur and whiskers are growing back great. Thanks to everyone at Cherokee Hospital for Animals!
Kane Adams
My name is Kane Adams. My dad Michael came home from work and found me very sick. I had been vomiting and my nose was yellow. He took me to the Airport Pet Emergency. I stayed there until the morning then dad brought me to Dr. Sallee & Dr. Simpkins. Both doctors and staff were wonderful to me.
I had to have several different tests, iv fluids and lots of meds. The doctors explained to family what was going on with my liver and made sure they understood everything I would need to get better.
It has been several months now and I feel great. Dad, my grandma Teresa and I are so happy! Thanks to the staff of Cherokee Hospital for Animals!
God lives in the Post Office (from the Internet)
This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:
Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith
_____________________________________
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith , ' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
_____________________________________
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven.
Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I' m easy to find.
