Many issues are causing problems around the world for vet students - rising loan debt, low pay making it hard to repay, let alone own property or stop work to have a family. There are many more women in the profession who really want time out for children but can't, and there are less men not only entering the role, and those that do, often dont want the responsibility of owning practices. In general many people are avoiding becoming vets at all as they can earn more money with less abuse in other work areas.

It is hard for people to understand that as there are no government subsidies for vets,as there are for doctors, all the costs have to be paid. Many owners resent paying vet bills but refuse to get pet insurance cover, or limit the animals they have so they can afford to treat them when they are ill or injured.

The real risk for New Zealand is that the shortage is mainly in the rural area...the bit where the milk, the meat, the animal products that are exported overseas and earn large volumes of money to create an income for NZ is based. These are the vets who maintain these income streams, and help protect the country and the public from diseases like Mad Cow or Listeria - and ultimately will be there to catch any outbreaks from Foot and Mouth disease before they infect too many other animals.

I have never regretted joining this profession - I have loved it and managed a reasonable living, but I left university with no debt. Times have changed so much. If I had to decide what to do today i really don't know what i would do, but many capable people are choosing alternative careers. And I feel sorry for them, even as I understand their choice.

The long anticipated larger aftershock has happened - a good 5.2 and all in all 9 quakes in 100 minutes ... with one the other side of our river at Horseshoe Lake. If you go to this link http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/6988020/Large-Friday-afternoon-shake-up# there is a recent quakes table too.

After a week from hell in so many areas I am too tired to really care. However, I am grateful that the house is fine, I wasn't at work on the fourth floor when it hit.

In other news, it was Scott's birthday yesterday but we shelved the planned dinner celebrations with the children when James rang to say Jess had been knocked off her bike and was off to A and E ... poor girl was in a lot of pain and full of morphine, panadol, nurofen and codeine when we got to the hospital. Her arm is fractured across the humerus below the shoulder joint, so she will have to sleep sitting up for a few weeks but she was able to come home today. This is the Richardson family's second time for an ambulance this month.... they do a great job!!!

Meanwhile Jaz is continuing with her treatment with the oncologist and facing the next round of her battle with "the beast". You can follow her journey at http://treacytravels.blogspot.co.nz/. It was great to have lunch with them last week.

Heading north shortly for dinner with friends in Waikuku. Hope the quakes are smaller but as most of them are centred just off the coast there it might be a vain hope.

People sometimes wonder why anyone blogs. It is something you either do and enjoy, or just have no time for. For me I just like thinking about stuff, but really, a lot of the greatest pleasure has been sharing ideas by reading other people's blogs; seeing life through the eyes of someone else.

It has been a real privilege and a pleasure to follow Angus and his stories of their lives in Italy and France with Wilf and Digby. Sadly they lost Digby two years ago, and today, Wilf. I have cried a few times since I read this blogpost, like many other readers.

I know Wilf had the best death we can offer a pet. At home, in a familiar places surrounded by the people who loved him. Loved and respected.
As a vet and fellow dog owner, this is how it should be and I am so glad for them that it was... but I know it is not true for many pet owners, or people.

At the moment I am studying this subject with one of my vet nursing classes- how can we help people with pet loss, particularly euthanasia. The topic is something vets often do not deal with well and I want them to see this as a shining example....

To quote Angus:
A journey completed with dignity. Laughter to the end. All dogs , all people , should go like this. Gently. Unafraid. Loved. Respected.
Give me a couple of hours and Wilf will lie next to his brother, on top of the ridge, sheltered by the old oak trees. A view to the mountains . A spot where the house lights linger at night. A good place for a family hero.

Au Revoir Wilfee x and Sincere condolences to Angus and "the Font".