Last night I valet-parked my puppy, and other tales of Dr. Becker’s visit to Sacramento
By Gina Spadafori
October 19, 2009
The weekend with Dr. Becker here was great fun, but a whirlwind. Saturday I played hometown tour guide, showing off the history and neighborhoods of Sacramento when it’s at its best: When the City of Trees is sunny but not hot and the beautiful old sycamores and elms are just starting to drop their leaves. Because of last week’s massive storm the air is still crisp and clean, and from the valley floor you can see the Sierra Nevada, which was the norm when I was growing up but pretty rare now because of pollution.
The open house at VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center yesterday was wonderful, with everyone who turned up enjoying the talk and b00k-signing.
We had planned to meet another veterinarian for dinner after the open house, so I figured he could take Marty to the restaurant while I took Faith home and then caught up with them. She was at the open house all day, sitting quietly during the talk and being friendly to all otherwise, showing off her tricks during the signing and generally being as well-behaved as anyone could reasonably expect a 6-month-old puppy to be. (Note: The Easy-Walk harness is an absolute godsend to anyone with a strong adolescent puppyhead whose brain cells aren’t yet fully connected. Faith knows how to walk on a leash, but has problems remembering what she knows when people want to pet her!)
But Dr. Kwane Stewart’s plane was late coming in to Sacramento, so we quickly re-worked our plans to meet him downtown at Dr. Becker’s hotel.
Except: What to do with Faith? She was pretty worn out, but she’d never chilled in crate alone in a vehicle for more than a few minutes.
So … I valet-parked the van at the downtown Hyatt Regency, where Dr. Becker was staying. I knew they put the valet-parked vehicles into a secure garage, and with the van locked, weather cool and windows cracked, I figured Faith be fine. Not a perfect plan, but OK.
The valet had a better idea. It was Sunday night and pretty slow, he pointed out. He suggested we leave the van under the cover right in front of the hotel lobby, where he could keep an eye on it while we were at dinner. He clearly loved dogs, and he wanted to help.
And that is where the van stayed while we went around the corner to dinner, with the puppy-filled van not 30 feet from the valet and never out of sight. FayBee had been fed, watered, pottied and was exhausted before we left the veterinary hospital. She squeaked and whined for a few minutes at the hotel — I later was told – and then fell utterly and completely asleep in her crate.
I came back to a quiet van, a sleeping puppy and a beaming valet, who assured me he’d let no one near the van, which was still in the welcoming circle in front of the hotel.
You’d better believe he got a hecka fine tip.
***
The sweetest thing that happened over the weekend was that while we were at the veterinary hospital, I got Heather’s ashes. The staff was so kind, taking my car keys and slipping the ashes into the van so I didn’t have to deal with them until I got home. They did make me cry, though, telling me that they’d made an impression of Heather’s paw print with her name on the plaque.
I was very happy, in that sad sort of way, since I’d bought a kit to do the same, but the end came so quickly I’d forgotten I had it.
I’m so grateful to everyone at that hospital for the work they do. Over the almost 13 years of Heather’s life, she got the very best of care — and so did I.
Our vet does the same thing with the paw prints. I have two now - and though I can hardly bear to look at them, I treasure them…
Comment by Janeen — October 19, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
I bought a kit to do that at Hobby Lobby, in anticipation…….
Comment by EmilyS — October 19, 2009 @ 8:30 pm
Faith was SO well behaved on Sunday! Kudos.
And Dr. Becker had what my friend referred to as a way of talking to the group that made each person feel he was talking just to them. So warm, so engaging, so nostalgic and honest. Meeting him was a real treat.
Comment by Jennifer Fearing — October 19, 2009 @ 9:59 pm
What a beautiful read. Such human kindness is touching. But credit must go to our k9’s As wel. They bring so much happiness to us, pet owners and others.
Comment by Elly Sookdhis — October 19, 2009 @ 11:54 pm
Well, now that the tears are flowing this morning……….
Comment by VJ — October 20, 2009 @ 4:49 am
Bless that valet…….what a super neat guy!
I think I would’ve really lost it had the vet presented me w/that plaque w/the paw print. What a thoughtful thing to do.
You are surrounded by love, Gina……lucky you!
Comment by Hannie — October 20, 2009 @ 7:18 am
Thanks for sharing your story, Gina, and for showing us your ClayPaws print. My company distributes ClayPaws kits to veterinary practices and I am always so touched and gratified to hear that they truly do help just a bit when a pet dies. That’s why we do our jobs here at World by the Tail, Inc.
I haven’t seen or spoken with Marty in many years…he’s a great guy. Please tell him hi from me next time you talk!
Comment by Laurel Lagoni — October 20, 2009 @ 8:51 am
Thanks for checking in, Laurel! Yes, this really touched my heart, and I am so grateful to folks at my veterinary hospital for giving me this special keepsake. Means a lot, on a lot of levels.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — October 20, 2009 @ 8:53 am
I’m glad to hear that, Gina. Several of us read your blog and enjoy your writing. We’d love to have you join our discussions, too, at http://www.veterinarywisdomcafe.com You’d add a lot! Again, my condolences on the loss of Heather…you’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Comment by Laurel Lagoni — October 20, 2009 @ 10:31 am
That was quite a story, and very touching. I miss the fall in Davis - such a nice part of the world!
Comment by Dr. Tony Johnson — October 20, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
Gina, I meant to get in touch with you and tell you that I was sorry about Heather’s passing. I know how much your animals mean to you. It made me get tears in my eyes when I read about the paw print and saw the photo. I know that someday I will have to deal with the passing of my precious Quixote and Quora and I just can’t imagine it and don’t want to. I am so sorry for your loss of Heather!
Comment by Teresa Becker — October 20, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
Teresa … thank you so much! I’d say next time your husband drops down here you should come, too, but really, I’d soooooooo much rather visit with you on the Almost Heaven Ranch. I know northern Idaho is much, much prettier than Sacramento.
I will pack peppermints for the horses. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — October 21, 2009 @ 5:57 am