Outlook Preceptor Profile: - Western University of Health Sciences

Always In Our Hearts: Stories from the WAVE ProgramPudgee Bear -Paw Prints in My HeartOct. 2001 – Dec. 2008By Donna ReedWhen I first met Pudgee, I had no intention of getting another ferret. I wasthe first-time owner of a very feisty 8 month old albino male namedWeasel. He was a handful. I stopped at a pet shop in Elkridge, Maryland, just to look around, as my sister said. The little shophad one ferret for sale, a 4 month old shy male, but a cuddly and chubby little ferret, so opposite from Weasel. I couldn’t leavewithout him! When we got home, he hid under the couch for hours and would have nothing to do with Weasel. After a fewdays, Pudgee warmed up to Weasel and, over the years, to me. We moved to California when he was two-years-old. Pudgeebegan having mild intestinal problems, and was treated with steroid injections every few months. He seemed to be doing greatand lived a wonderful life, wrestling with Weasel, romping in the garden, and amazing me every day with his quirky littlepersonality. Pudgee was not at all like Weasel. He didn’t like to be held, was shy around strangers, and sat patiently staring upat me when he wanted something. He loved to play with his toy mice, hiding them in “his spots,” and making it clear that hewould put them back if I moved them. Unfortunately, Pudgee suffered from an illness that neither his veterinarian nor I wasaware of, and in November 2008, he began having seizures that seemed to be allergic reactions. By December, the seizuresoccurred more often, and I could no longer stand to see him in such pain. On December 24, 2008, Weasel, Brett and I spenthours with him at All Creatures Animal Hospital, telling him “I love you” and saying our goodbyes, which was the hardestthing I have ever had to do. I chose to donate Pudgee to the WAVE Program because I wanted him to help other ferrets withsimilar problems.We’ll see you on the other side, sweet pea...I love you.The Willed Body Program for Veterinary Medicine, WAVETHE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE’S REVERENCE FOR LIFE COMMITMENT promises that animals will not be harmed in our teachingprograms. A key element of this commitment is the WAVE (Willed deceased Animals for Veterinary Education) Program, whichreaches out to animal owners to ask that they consider donating their beloved pets’ remains to anatomy and clinical skillseducation at the college (WAVE Program is modeled after the Human Willed Body Program at WesternU). More than 500 deceasedanimals have been donated to the college in the last two years.These special animals are providing a greater quality of educationto future generations of veterinarians.All donations to WAVE must be deceased due to age, serious illness or injury. An animal that has no owner to approve thedonation of its remains will not be accepted.When you know that the death of your beloved pet might be imminent, and you livewithin 40 miles of the college, please ask your veterinarian about donating to WAVE. Your veterinarian may contact Ms.Tami Millerat (909) 469-5597 to make all arrangements.Always in Our Hearts: Stories from the WAVE Program appears as a regular feature in each issue of the Outlook.14