Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five funny cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.
Anyone who knows me knows not to ask me about my pets unless they have an hour or two to spare. Between stories about my five cats, five dogs, and how my five cats interact with my five dogs, there’s a lot to talk about!
There’s Clutch, the once-lost vacuum lover who seems to identify as a dog, steals food from chihuahuas, curls up with a labrador or two, and acts violently when he’s cooped up with other cats.
Alex and Cyril, who we fondly think of as Scully & Hitchcock from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, with their relentless love of food and sleep. Zelda the princess, who shamelessly throws herself into Bailey the lab, and finally Zazzles, who most people think we made up, because she only appears between the hours of midnight and 7am. With so many pets living under one roof, there are always stories to tell, with the most interesting thing being that they all get along, usually.
Having been a practicing veterinary surgeon for over thirteen years, I haven’t seen much, but I think the things I’ve learned from my own cats have given me more insight, knowledge, and experience than any other. course, conference, or maybe give a lecture. Seeing firsthand how difficult it is to keep a cat quiet after surgery, how to help a new cat join an existing group, and witnessing all the little idiosyncrasies that are unique to each individual, has done more than for making me happy and making me. happy It made me a better vet.
The ability to talk about my own cats; my stories, my frustrations, my successes, and my failures, mean I can better understand my patients, and advise their owners from a place of personal experience. As veterinarians, we all learn the theory, but not all of us live it.
I must admit that it also made things more difficult at times, seeing my own pets as seen in my patients, picturing myself in their owner’s situation, especially when it comes to difficult cases, sad outcomes, and difficult decisions. But something happens to someone’s face when you ask them to talk about their pets, and I know it happens to me too.
One of my favorite parts of my job happens to be one of the saddest parts of my job. It is when a memory, a story, or a funny anecdote appears, like a ray of sunshine in the darkness, and to see the tears turn into a smile, even if only for a moment, that shows how powerful our stories are, and we must continue to tell them.
I am so lucky to be able to share my home and my life with these adorable furry characters. Their antics make my world, my mental health, and my everyday life better, and the more I learn about them, the more I’m able to share with you all. And I will continue to share them with you, and I hope you will share your stories with me.