Manager Toah – Page 3 – Veterinarians in Oviedo, Florida

Jun 01

Pet of the Month, June 2023, Negan, Buerk!

By Manager Toah Pet of the Month No Comments

Congratulations to our June 2023 Pet of the Month, Negan Buerk!

Hi, my name is Negan. My mom told me I am named after a charismatic villain from “The Walking Dead” graphic novels/TV show. She tells me that my name suits me perfectly, as I can be quite affectionate and charming when I want to be, but I am also a bit shady and will smack any dog that steps out of line. I am a dashing 7-year-old black cat with a small white blaze on my chest and a couple of white toes.

I had a bit of a rough start to my life. A kind lady saw me get thrown out of a car window when I was only 6 weeks old. This kind lady brought me to a local vet clinic in the sandhills of North Carolina. As luck would have it this is where I met my future family, as my human mom worked at this vet hospital. It was discovered that I had a broken hind leg and would need surgery to repair it. My mom fixed me right up. I was such a trooper and was good as new in no time.

I now call Florida home, with my human mom, my human brother, and 2 rather daft dogs. I am an expert bug hunter, and I enjoy chattering at the birds that frequent our yard. I love laying on warm freshly folded laundry, assisting mom with jigsaw puzzles, and I make sure my mom feeds me right on time (I start gently reminding her that food is needed in about 1 hour – and I will remind her every 2 minutes after that). Patience is overrated in my opinion.

I take full advantage of my ink-black color, as I will sneak attack my dog siblings with a well-timed smack. I am far superior to them, but they are family, and I will provide them with affectionate head boops when they are not feeling well or if we are somewhere a little scary (TOAH vets and staff are amazing, but it is a little scary to my canine sibling – so I make sure they are ok whenever we have to visit). Thank you TOAH staff for nominating me as Pet of the Month – I humbly accept this great honor.

May 01

Love0

Pet of the Month, May 2023, Benjamin, Velasquez!

By Manager Toah Pet of the Month No Comments

Congratulations to our May 2023 Pet of the Month, Benjamin Velasquez!

Benjamin (Benny) came to be our love out of deep sorrow over the loss of two of our dogs, just 12 days
apart. We didn’t think we could love another dog the way we loved those two. But of course, we were
wrong!
Benny was born in Connecticut in July of 2019 and we brought him home to FL at 8 weeks old. He is a
high-energy bird dog who needs a lot of exercise every day to keep his mischievousness at bay. Oh, the
things he has broken or chewed up! We placed him in Puppy Preschool almost immediately after
bringing him home and socialized him with doggie daycare after that. We are so glad that we did. To
meet him is to see that he is a gentle giant. During a walk, he will not seem to understand it when we
come across another dog that barks, growls or pulls to get at him. He just seems to be thinking, “Why
are you acting like that? I’m just Benny! Aren’t all dogs supposed to be friends?!”
Benny loves to be bear-hugged and kissed – and his favorite place to be is under the covers in the bed.
But we can’t tell you about Benny without mentioning his real favorite thing – and that is his “little
brother”, Franklin – a Brittany born in 2020. They are just 7 months apart. They have been joined at the
hip from the moment we introduced Benny to his new playmate. During playtime, Benny has always
“pulled his punches”, when he could have been too rough due to his size. He seems to understand that
he has been given the gift of a small friend. We are so happy that they have each other every day for
companionship and exercise. Sometimes a bit too much “exercise” and romping occur – but it’s all part
of the journey. It is messy, crazy and chaotic most days – but we know the days spent with them will
never be regretted or forgotten!

Apr 03

Love0

Pet of the Month, April 2023, Kiki, Niles!

By Manager Toah Pet of the Month No Comments

Congratulations to our April 2023 Pet of the Month, Kiki Niles!

We were so touched to hear Kiki was nominated this month. I met Kiki in 2006 (I believe she was around 2 yrs old) when I was going to school at USF in Tampa, FL. It was late at night when she ran up to me in the parking lot of a sushi restaurant, playfully weaving between my legs and mulling around my car. At the time, I would not have described myself as a cat person haha, but I just could not leave her out there alone and figured I’d find time to find a rescue that could help. So I scooped her up and she sat quietly on the floor of my car. I got her food, bowls, and a bed that night.

I had her for about 2 weeks when I noticed she’d put on considerable weight….which we quickly learned would later be her 5 kittens. Kiki was around 1 month pregnant when she found me, and soon after gave birth in my apartment to 5 healthy kittens which we were able to find great homes for.

She’s been part of my life ever since. I couldn’t bear the though of putting her up for adoption so I became a cat dad and she’s been the most amazing, well-behaved pet I’ve ever had the pleasure of keeping company. Even at 19 yrs old she loves chasing her toys around the house and hunting bugs and her mom and dad WFH so we get to see that every day:) In the afternoon she’ll join us on the patio and lay on a rug in the sun. She also loves sleeping on the bed with our dog Luna (5) or sharing the couch with our cockatoo Lulu (38). Kiki is living her senior years comfortably with lots of love. A cat like Kiki could make anyone a cat person.

Mar 01

Love0

Pet of the Month, March 2023, Remmie, Kennybrook!

By Manager Toah Pet of the Month No Comments

Congratulations to our March 2023 Pet of the Month, Remmie Kennybrook!

Remmie Kennybrook joined the family as a puppy, this courageous puppy survived parvovirus. Thank you to Dr. Fullenwider as she introduced us to Remmie after our puppy Murphy had to be put to sleep. She is a happy girl, she had 2 brothers Zeus ( who passed late last year), Beau, sister Cocoa, and the newest edition Zoe who is almost 12 weeks old. She is mommy’s girl, always loving( except for her cookies). She is now 12 years old and still acts like a puppy.

Feb 01

Love0

Pet of the Month, February 2023, Delite, Doane

By Manager Toah Pet of the Month No Comments

I met Delite in 2019. When I decided to get a ragdoll cat as a companion for my mother, who has Alzheimer’s. We had dogs in the past, but I was unfamiliar with caring for a cat. After doing some research, I learned that ragdolls were good Stater felines. Of course, I fell in love with Delite the second she was placed in my arms. She is blessed with thick rabbit-like fur, and we both enjoy her daily grooming sessions, which we find very relaxing. Delite is probably what many people would consider “Spoiled.” She has an enclosed outdoor catio with 13 cat trees, from where we watch birds, lizards, rabbits, and opossums. One squirrel sits in the magnolia tree outside of Delites catio, and teases her relentlessly. In the afternoon, Delite usually naps in one of her seven indoor cat trees, which surrounds a radio that continuously plays soft jazz. Delite has enjoyed excellent health throughout her 14 years, thanks to the exceptional care of Dr. McPherson and the staff. Delite did have a bout of hyperthyroidism two years ago, but with Dr. McPherson’s guidance, that ailment was cured. Delite has always lived up to her name, which was taken from PSALM 37:4, “Delight yourself also in the lord, and he will grant you the desires of your heart.” My best friend will always be the “Delite of my life.”

Jan 03

Love2

Pet of the Month January 2023, Debbs, Warfield

By Manager Toah Pet of the Month No Comments

Congratulations to our January 2023 Pet of the Month, Debbs Warfield!

Debbs is a Pit Bull / Mix, probably born in July 2014, according to the records at the Seminole
County Animal Shelter, where she had been living when we adopted her. We are “pit bull
people,” who have previously adopted others of this misunderstood breed, and we were
interested in finding another to join our family in late September 2019.
In looking at the SCAS webpages, we saw a number of pits and pit mixes, but Debbs stood out
because she had been at the shelter for nearly fourteen months. She was not attracting any
attention because she was considered “not very social” around other dogs and could not be
adopted into a household with others. Since we were then without any dogs, we agreed to adopt
Debbs as a solo dog.
According to the previous owner’s surrender papers, Debbs’ first owner had been incarcerated
since 2016, and she had then been taken in by that man’s father, who surrendered Debbs to the
SCAS in July 2018. She had been kept outdoors 24 hours a day, so the move to an indoor shelter
might have seemed an improvement, but Debbs, who was described to us as a “timid girl,” did
not do well with Florida storms that created a racket on the shelter’s tin roof. Poor Debbs would
try to hide under her bed and Briana, the shelter attendant, would often go into Debbs’ run to
comfort her.
When Debbs came home with us, she was a very nervous girl and took some time to become
accustomed to her new home. Initially, she followed Kathleen, her new Mommy, everywhere,
and did not warm up to Scott for several weeks. Over time, however, Debbs began to trust us,
even as she remained nervous about loud noises. She enjoyed walking once or twice a day, but
she would often turn immediately for home when she heard carpentry on a roof, a car backfire,
or similar sudden sounds. Inside the home was similar, with any loud or sudden noises and
especially thunder storms scaring Debbs, who retreated into her cage, which was her safe space.,
for hours after even one loud sound.
Despite her difficult beginnings, Debbs has grown over the past three years into a very good dog.
Now just past the age of eight, she is becoming a senior dog with a few medical issues that
TOAH continues to monitor and treat, but she is still quite active. Debbs’ day often starts with a
quick visit at the back fence with a neighbor who stops by with a dog treat, followed by her
breakfast and a walk about the neighborhood. Depending upon her mood, she can cover quite a
distance or decide to return home after only a few hundred yards. The rest of the day is usually
spent not too far from her stay-at-home Mommy, who must migrate throughout the house and
backyard, according to Debbs’ commands. Among Debbs’ favorite daytime activities are
begging for dog treats, sitting in the backyard and barking at passing strangers, begging for
people food (at our meal times), and sleeping. In the early evening, she moves Kathleen to the
TV room, where Scott usually already is, and positions herself on the sofa between us. There she
begs for after-dinner treats and snoozes until Kathleen moves to the bedroom, where Debbs
retires to her crate for the night, and sleep until it is time to start her routine the next morning.

Dec 01

Love0

Pet of the Month, December 2022, Smokey, Hull!

By Manager Toah Pet of the Month No Comments

Congratulations to our December 2022 Pet of the Month, Smokey Hull!!

“Like so many of our furry friends, Smokey showed up at our doorstep as a 10-week-old kitten. Her gorgeous silver-gray fur and the “love me” look in her eyes captured our hearts, and we took her in.

That was in 2005; since then, she has been a shy yet sweet companion. She loves to drink water from the bathtub faucet, and at the age 15, she decided to become a “lap cat” when she would sleep in my lap each evening. Now, at 17, she has the usual “old-age” challenges, but we love her just the same”!

Oct 31

Love0

Pet of the Month, November 2022, Augie Cain!

By Manager Toah Pet of the Month, Uncategorized No Comments

Congratulations to our November 2022 Pet of the Month, Augie Cain!!

“Augie came to live with my husband and me in May 2009 when he was just one year old. We had stopped at a local PetsMart to pick up cat food, and my husband said you have to come over and see the dapple dachshund they have for adoption. I told him we didn’t need another dog as we already had two labs and one dachshund at home. But went to see anyway. I saw Augie trying to make his way out of the crate. We went home without him, but about an hour later, my husband said we had to go back and adopt him.

We took our dachshund, Boris, with us to see if the two of them would get along, We took them outside, and they hit it off! While we were filling out the adoption papers, two other families also wanted to adopt Augie. Guess we were the lucky ones, and it was meant to be!

Augie was found running in Osteen with a pit bull. A lady who owned a farm kept seeing the two dogs together, and she could finally trap Augie in a stall and bring him to a rescue group. The vet neutered him and said he was right at one year old. He was a nightmare when we first got him; he would lift his leg and pee wherever he wanted. I followed him around night and day the first week, putting his leash on him and taking him outside, which began his love of being walked. If he wasn’t doing that, he was standing and clawing at the front door wanting outdoors. I don’t think he was used to being in the house. Who knows how long he had been on his own. He finally settled in but would escape every chance he could. Augie also loved his long walks with Boris, and they both loved car rides.

In November 2010, Augie became ill and had surgery as he had eaten some of his blankets and stuffing out of his toys. This was a scary time for us as he was so lethargic after coming home, but he recovered and no more toys with stuffing. After this, he never liked Dr. Taylor again, and he growled at him every year when he went in for his checkup.

Unfortunately, in March 2019, we had to say goodbye to our 15-year-old Boris. As a result, Augie became very depressed and was just not his usual self. Therefore, in December 2019, we adopted a two-year-old dachshund, Tanner! Augie immediately perked up, and they became best buddies.

At 14, Augie now has some issues with his liver and is blind in both eyes and partially deaf, but he still loves car rides, rolling in the grass, and just lying in the sunshine. We cherish every day we have left with this sweet, gentle boy!”

Oct 06

Love0

Pet of the Month, October 2022, Buster Rodriguez

By Manager Toah Pet of the Month, Uncategorized No Comments

Congratulations to our October 2022 Pet of the Month, Buster Rodriguez!

Read his bio below:)

“Buster was six months when he came to us. His owner was my son’s coworker, who was suffering from cancer and unable to care for him. He used to work with him daily, sitting on his lap at a computer desk. When Buster came to us, all he would do was cry, so we started working with him in our lap at a computer desk, and he stopped crying. He was hesitant to trust us at first; he would stare at us as if he did not like us. After some time, he put his guard down, and now he is our baby. Buster loves to run around the house like a young pup. His favorite thing is eating and getting Spanish crackers as a treat! We love him so much and are glad he is in our lives”