The first veterinarian services we contracted with 25 years ago, for Button, our little black miniature poodle/pom mix was a vet who had a then-fairly modest veterinarian clinic not far form where we live. By the time Riley, our apricot toy poodle joined our household seven years later, the original veterinarian had retired, his younger brother replacing him and it was he with whom we built a rapport, and who knew our little dogs and with whom we felt comfortable entrusting their health issues.

As the years passed, the vet service grew and eventually became quite a going concern; they bought up the properties on either side of their clinic, then erected a purpose-built new hospital, large and modern with ample laboratory room in the basement for their technicians. They became more profit-oriented, opening a pet-supply store at the side of the vet services. The employees remained animal-centric in their professional devotion, but the sheer size of the operation gave it a less personal feeling, to us.

And invariably, as Button and Riley aged, health complication arose. When emergency situations erupt they never do at convenient vet operating hours, needless to say, which necessitated that we drive across the city to one of the two 24-hour veterinarian hospitals operating in Ottawa, for help in managing what sometimes were health problems readily solvable, but eventually would become life-threatening. That 24-hour vet service was efficient, and dedicated to proffering whatever professional assistance that could help. We were always impressed with the staff, from reception, to technicians, to assistants to veterinarians.

Our two almost year-and-a-half-old twins, Jackie and Jillie, are quite different from one another; although most people cannot tell them apart there are distinct visual differences that we readily identify but others cannot. Apart from outward appearances they're as different as they can be temperamentally and physiologically. Jillie is a robust little dog with ample flesh over her tiny bones whereas Jackie is extremely lean with nothing to spare. Jillie never falls ill, but Jackie does frequently. Already in his young life he has been driven by us to emergency services more than either Button or Riley ever were, although Riley came a close second.

Yesterday morning began with Jackie throwing up some fluid, informing us that he wouldn't want breakfast, and that's just what happened. He seemed normal during our afternoon ravine walk, but at dinnertime he shied away from his food with complete disinterest; this, from a little dog who usually manifests a ravenous appetite. Before long it became evident by his behaviour that he was quite unwell. He's congenitally restless, but now he couldn't find anywhere he could rest in comfort at a time of day when he usually naps. He stretched often, and crouched, as though finding relief in those contortions.

He looked distressed, his tail which usually slaps swiftly back and forth like a metronome was tucked into his backside uncharacteristically. It isn't unusual for this kind of thing to happen with him as it does perhaps every week and a half or so, but it usually resolves itself by dinnertime and he eats a hearty dinner, but not this time. Eventually, around ten in the evening, he settled into one of their little beds for a sound rest, and slept for almost two hours.

By the time they were taken out for the last time before heading up to bed, he re-entered the house his bumptious little self, tail swinging madly, squirming body nestling into my legs, tongue licking my hands, and then soon up we went to bed, much relieved, my husband in particular for whom these episodes of illness take their toll. Jackie slept soundly through the night, and morning found him in his usual high spirits. Eating breakfast was routine and he seems fine. This is typical of him.

Since we lost Button and Riley we haven't been able to bring ourselves to return to our original veterinarian. We've taken them to several other vet services and ended up with a small practise also nearby our home. But this service has disappointed us in the past year; one of the vets seems somewhat coldly removed and disinterested, the other espousing views I can't agree with, and when we needed their services on short notice they were unable to accommodate us.

So it makes sense, to seek out the services of a place we trust. The emergency vet hospital is staffed with quite a few veterinarians, and they all practise privately through the hospital. We've now made an appointment for their annual examination and inoculation update with one of the mature veterinarians who impressed us with his kindly and informed attitude in past visits of an emergency nature, and hope that this will be a solution to our dilemma. That we will be able to discuss Jackie's health concerns with someone who will be able to diagnose why that little fellow succumbs on frequent occasions to such health frailties.