Michael A. Obenski, DVM

Common sense or ESP? Test your psychic powers at the next veterinary client visit.

How shoe scrapings and wet paper towels turn into lab samples.

Mrs. Clowder is one of my most loyal clients.

Recently, I had the opportunity to play one of my favorite hospital games.

Last Thursday was particularly frustrating.

Mr. Cobbler was already shouting as he burst through the emergency room door.

Anyone can practice veterinary medicine. There's no education necessary! At least, that is what many of my clients seem to think.

I was just about to administer a dose of vaccine when, for some unknown reason, I took a close look at the bottle.

You may be familiar with the bumber sticker "Stuff happens" or something to that effect.

Mr. Dreemer is a 35-year-old entrepreneur.

Mrs. Haywire is dead set against having one of those identification chips inserted in her dog's neck.

My next appointment hadn't arrived yet. So, I had a little extra time on my hands when Mr. Azalea, the landscaper, came to get me.

Mr. Quibble's dog was scheduled for surgery last Thursday. On Wednesday, he showed up at my office for a chat. Apparently, there were some "very important matters" that he needed to discuss with me.

I hurried into the exam room and uttered my usual cheery "Good morning!" before realizing that no one else was there.

I suspect that most veterinarians would consider Mr. Swagger to be a good client.

When it involves the health of their pets, many people who come to my office would not waste a minute of their time thinking about the cost of treatment.

Perhaps you're one of those individuals who suffer from the delusion that there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Whenever Mrs. Bicker walks into the office, I know that we are in for a "TnT" situation.

Sometimes 'do-it-yourselfers' need to know when to call in the professionals.

Dr. Obenski recounts how clients have unintentionally wrecked havoc on his practice-and sanity.

When clients try your patience, try this response.

Hear why it's better for veterinarians to roll over and play dead sometimes.

On occasion, I feel the need to refer a difficult medical case to another hospital. (Yes, I dump the problem on someone else.)

Last Thursday morning found me busily engaged in an animal hospital game I call "Where's the Lump?" Mrs. Carbuncle rus

Sometimes, a name just fits. That is the case with Hardy Bruin, who is the biggest man I have ever seen. On the other hand, his dog Dainty represents a complete misnomer.

For those who don't believe, no explanation is possible.

It all started when I wrote last month column about my wife coming in to help out in the office. Apparently, I gave many people the impression that I do not truly appreciate the veterinarian's spouse in helping to run the professional practice as well as his or her personal life.

It's a whole new set of challenges.

Readers join me in classifying clients.

The next chapter in Dr. Michael Obenski's humorous look at client types.