A vet who makes house calls!

Not counting the little black cat who comes for handouts, I work for eight cats. Sure, Rufus and Liza hang out next door, but I'm still responsible for them.

Try getting that many cats to the vet when you work full time.

A while back, I read an article in The Birmingham News about a vet who has a mobile clinic. She makes house calls. Talk about a badly needed service. Check out the photo of her office, right here on Clydebank Circle!

My furry overlords and I met Dr. Michelle Johnson and her assistant, Katie, this morning at 10:00. I had faxed her the names and information on her eight new patients. She walked in the door ready to go. Only two of my cats behaved well enough to go out to the mobile office for weighing and such, but Dr. Johnson was perfectly happy to examine my more timid cats on the couch, on the floor, on the dining room table, and on my neighbors' back deck.

She even vaccinated 13-year-old Trouble who subjected us to a full-out psychotic episode. Our previous (still beloved) vet always gave Trouble anesthesia before she would touch her.

Dr. Johnson diagnosed and treated our two newest arrivals, Hummer and Cricket, and put them on meds to help overcome some tenacious infections. What a relief to have them taken care of - here, at home, without the stress of crating, travel, and a strange location with strange smells and other animals.

I'm 100% pleased with the level of care the cats received and with Dr. Johnson's gentleness, patience and tenacity. We have another visit scheduled for July 17 to re-check Hummer and Cricket and give vaccinations to Pansy. Dr. Johnson suggested I close her in the bathroom so she can't hide out next time.

Cat health care is off the insurmountable-problem list! I may not be her patient, but Dr. Johnson has made me feel a whole lot better.