02/27/2026
We recently said goodbye to a very special staff pet, our beloved clinic dog, Bear.
In the beginning, he came to work here and there and it was nice to see him Then he came once a week. Then everyday. He even came to work on days his mom stayed home or was on vacation - he was a very dedicated member of our team! 😆
And we needed him more than we knew. 💙
He took his job duties very seriously, including lounging in the lobby and greeting clients, and participating in numerous staff meetings - especially the ones involving lunch! 😋
You may have seen him hanging out in our lobby, or “leaving his mark” around the outside of our clinic on one of his many walks. He was instrumental in helping our techs and assistants collect urine samples on the many dogs encouraged to provide after coming across his scent in the grass and bushes! 🤭
Bear was one of a kind. So much more than just a dog or just a pet (as many of our beloved animals tend to be). He was a friendly face, a *very* warm hug, a friend to all. He had the calmest energy that soothed our staff on breaks and relaxed our nervous patients in the treatment room. He did this all on his own, with no training or prompt to do so. That’s part of what made him so special. 💖
He also had a fierce love of chicken nuggets and pork! There wasn’t a hat, headband or pair of glasses he didn’t look SO handsome in! He was always up for a fresh-air walk around the clinic, no matter the weather. ☀️ ❄️ ☔️ If we needed a minute of joy or relief from our day, he was there. He had such a profound influence on our clinic culture, and we miss him terribly. 💔
Bear was the goodest, most special boy whose spirit touched so many through the years. We can’t possibly put all of our love and gratitude into a few paragraphs. We are fortunate to have shared so many years with Bear, though it never seems to be enough time…
If you have a favorite memory of Bear, we welcome you to share it in the comments.
