INSIDE:
FALL/SUMMER 2021-2022 Your Other Family Doctor Having a relationship with your local veterinarian is crucial. See page 60
A Story of Rescue, but Who Rescued Whom? Dennis Helm of Smooth Finish tells his rescue story of a muchneeded companion. page 61
The Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City Providing pet food to low-income seniors, veterans & the homeless. Centrall Oklah hom ma''s Food Bank k for Pets
The loss of a pet is stressful & brings difficult decisions Precious Pets Cemetery has a knowledgeable, caring staff dedicated to help you through difficult times.
Monetary and pet food donations are needed!
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• pet and equine cremation • burial services on our beautiful grounds • individual cremation • urns, caskets, and grave memorials Pre-need planning is also available and encouraged. Call today. Precious Pets Cemetery in Spencer & Pet Memorial Gardens in Norman www.PreciousPetsCemetery.com
405.771.5510
� www.pfpokc.org (405) 664-2858
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It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ®
Dr. Weiss with some of her feathered and furry friends
By Dr. Kimberly Weiss
M
any of us live on a fixed budget, and money doesn’t go as far as it used to. But our pets are family, and when they get sick we want to take care of them. Sometimes in our rush to help, we allow ourselves to be talked into expenses that aren’t really necessary and don’t address the problem. When your feathered or furry friend gets sick, you may feel the need to get them to a veterinarian NOW. Your pet may have an urgent problem, but there’s always time to take a breath or two and just ask yourself the question: “Is it really urgent, or can it wait until morning?” This is where having a relationship with your local veterinarian is crucial. Your local veterinarian knows your pet and can help you decide if you’re having an emergency or if it’s something that can wait for a day. I’ve seen too many well-meaning people immediately take their sick pet to an emergency corporate veterinarian, spend thousands of dollars, and have nothing left for long-term treatment. Family veterinarians are usually less expensive. We value long-term relationships and are willing and able to work with you to provide testing and treatment options that will fit within a budget. We know your pet and her history, so we can tell which symptoms are actually urgent and which are not. Since we are community-based, we know what diseases are local and won’t waste your money on unnecessary tests. We and our staff know you and your pet. We appreciate your business and strive to provide a pleasant, warm and inviting atmosphere and good value for your money. As in many other parts of business, large corporations are pushing local, family veterinarians out of practice. They can afford to spend more on advertising or afford to have clinics in expensive malls. I would ask you to consider your local family veterinary practice.
Call 405-525-2255 | HealingHandsVetCenter. 60
© OKLAHOMA SENIOR JOURNAL 2021-22
It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ®
EST. 1987 Call Now to Schedule! 405-923-5127 Serving Oklahoma since 1987 Commercial & Residential
See Our Article Page 19
A Story of Rescue, But Who Rescued Whom?
By Susan L. Slater
Dennis Helm, owner of Smooth Finish Roofing & Construction, has been a pet lover for as long as he can remember. Dennis remembers “rescuing” a stray dog when he was a young boy, but he says, “this dog rescued me for 16 years!” His older brother found a stray dog that the boys’ struggling mom was against taking in. But they kept pleading their case and immediately named the female dog Snoopy. When Dennis’s mom realized that Snoopy was smart and welltrained, she finally gave in. Dennis had a sometimes-difficult childhood and Snoopy was a much needed companion. Dennis says he talked to her like a best friend. Snoopy followed Dennis to school every day and would always wait outside the school doors for him. She slept in bed with Dennis every night and was always there when he was having a bad day. They were inseparable. Dennis remembers the day that Snoopy got lost—January 4, 1969. They’d taken Snoopy, pregnant at the time, to their grandparents’ house for a birthday party. When they realized she had gotten out and lost, Dennis was devastated. They immediately called the Daily Oklahoman to run a small ad in the Lost and Found section. The paper sympathized with the family who had lost their beloved
pregnant dog and ran a half-page article to help find Snoopy. After the article ran, someone called the paper, and Dennis got Snoopy back. Two days later, Snoopy had 16 healthy puppies! Giving Back to Pets in Need Because of his love for pets, Dennis will donate $25-$75 to the Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City for each roofing job that he does for readers of the Oklahoma Senior Journal. The Pet Food Pantry is an organization that provides pet food to low-income seniors, veterans, and the homeless. Smooth Finish Roofing & Construction has been serving Oklahoma customers since 1987. They take pride in their work, have built a solid reputation, and specialize in helping seniors (see article page 19). Give Dennis a call at (405-923-5127) for a free roofing inspection, consultation, or estimate after our multiple Oklahoma storm seasons. He can help you and the Pet Food Pantry pets at the same time!
Oklahoma Senior Journal
EST. 1987
$500.00 Rebate (Visa Gift Card) with 1 complete reroof of 26 sqs. Call NOW - this special will not last forever!
OKALA
Senior GuidePost
VillagesOKC
EST. 1987
$1,000.00 Rebate (Visa Gift Card) with 1 complete reroof over 26 sps. Call NOW - this special will not last forever!
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