Radar's Story

 

 

May 5, 2006

Dear Dr. Richardson:

Congratulations on presiding over a top notch veterinary teaching hospital. I speak from personal experience. My dog, Radar (a terrier mix), was a patient on several occasions—two of which were three-week stays in the ICU. His first stay began in August of 2004. During one of my daily visits, I was looking for a K-State doggie sweater and someone suggested I look in Trotter Hall. While wandering around there, I met you. As someone who has spent twenty plus years in corporate marketing, I was immediately impressed with your cordiality, your obvious confidence and pride in your faculty and team, and that you welcomed the presence of my dog in such an esteemed building.

My vet in Hesston (Gary Bahler—a K-State grad) had referred me to K-State. Radar was diagnosed with kidney disease complicated by an abscess. Dr. Lisa Moore was his primary vet (with help from Dr. Tracey Jackson). David Lee was his senior student. I had no idea of how a teaching hospital worked or the role of a senior student, but my experience with David exceeded any expectations I could have had. David was one of those people in my life I can only describe as an “earth angel”. When I initially brought Radar to the hospital with elevated kidney and liver values, I did not think I would ever be able to bring him home. After three weeks, Radar was able to come home with a feeding tube in his stomach. Thanks to your incredible staff, we were able to manage his kidney disease and I had another wonderful year with my precious little dog.

At the lowest point of those three weeks, I told a friend I would be devastated if I lost Radar. She suggested that with all of Radar’s experiences, I should write a book about him. As I thought about it, I decided the book should be from Radar’s perspective and in his “voice”. I started on the book a few months after he came home.

In addition to his regular check ups, he was back at VMTH last May for a thorough dental exam and surgery. Dr. Riegel was a pleasure to work with—both professional and compassionate.

Radar’s second extended stay did not have such a happy ending. I brought him up last November with renal issues, fainting and anemia. Dr. Jackson was his vet and Calista Miller was his senior student. I did not think I could have another student who would measure up to David Lee, but Calista did (another earth angel). I brought Radar home on December 3rd and a week later he had a check up. Dr. Jackson delivered the bad news. Radar’s elevated renal values, high blood pressure, low hematocrit, and continuing weight loss did not offer a good prognosis; and if his hematocrit declined much more, he would not be able to sustain. With sensitivity and compassion, Dr. Jackson helped me work through the options. I decided to keep him at home and as comfortable as possible (“doggie hospice”) until it was time to put him down which I wanted to do at VMTH. Dr. Jackson told me all I had to do was call on my way up and she would come in—day or night. Radar and I had ten more days together.


During those final days, Radar wrote many letters to the people to whom he wanted to say goodbye. Some of those letters will no doubt make it into his book. I am sharing an excerpt from Radar’s letter to Dr. Jackson that I was to give to her moments after he died (per his earlier instructions).

There must be so many dogs that you have helped here at the hospital. And cats too. This is a remarkable place. You should hear Lavonne tell people about it. You’d think she worked here. I’m really glad you let her come visit me and spend time with me. It helped me a lot. Lavonne is going to establish a scholarship in my name. I think that’s pretty neat. I told her she could call it the Radar Mullet scholarship so that her name could be part of it too. She wants it to go to students who have the kind of qualities she saw in David Lee and Calista Miller. They will never know what a difference they made for her . . . and me.

After Radar died, and Dr. Jackson and Calista had read Radar’s letters to them, Dr. Jackson said, “Over the years, here at the hospital, there are pets and their owners who have become legends—Radar is one.”

A couple of weeks later when Dr. Jackson sent me the paw print, she also included the book Dog Heaven. She had told me she would be doing a paw print, but when I saw it, it was so much more than I had expected. The book was a total surprise and its message was timely and healing. What touched me deeply were the notes written about Radar by 15 people at the hospital—half of whom I had never even met.

Dr Jackson’s was the last entry in the book. She wrote:
This book represents just some of the lives Radar touched during his “visits” to KSU-VMTH. He was a joy to work for and to care for. His endearing spirit will persist well beyond his mortal life. He enhanced and fulfilled your life and you graciously returned the favor. You could not have done more for him. I hope as time passes your memories of him will lighten your heart and bring a smile to your face. He indeed was one of a kind. Thank you for sharing him with us. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

On the VMTH web page, your mission statement cites three things: superior education, quality care, and exceptional customer service in a caring environment. While I do not have the expertise to evaluate superior education, I can certainly attest to quality care and exceptional customer service. Dr. Fingland’s letter on the website says “What you may not know is that we are driven by our deep appreciation for animals, we honor the human-animal bond, and we know that your pet is really a member of your family. That’s the same status our pets hold in our lives.” His words flawlessly describe what I experienced with Dr. Moore, Dr. Jackson, David Lee and Calista Miller. And even more significant is that my experience is no doubt true for anyone who brings their pet to your hospital.

I know there are people in your development department who will work with me on the scholarship, but I wanted to convey to you my experience at VMTH and my deep gratitude for all that your staff did.

Sincerely,

Lavonne Mullet