AmeeO, let me begin by saying...I think, from my experience that evening, that the emergency numbers for the local vets are a CROCK! And, secondly, the poor little old lady behind the desk had no intention of helping, no matter what my demeanor would have been. If she was SOOOOO TERRIFIED of a frantic pet owner, then she should have called 911!!! She knew immediately why I was there. It was broad daylight, cars going by and she was inches from the phone. Also, I didn't BEAT on the door. I didn't see her there (in the dark) and knocked loudly, hoping someone might still be in the building somewhere. I HAD to shout for her to hear me. I informed her that I had a dying animal that needed the vet. ( I could have brought the animal to the door, but I didn't want to move it any more than necessary) She so calmly (and Coldly!) said the vet was not there. Well, duhhh. I then asked for Dr Massie's emergency number (still shouting through the locked doors so she could hear me)! After literally putting my ear against the crack in the door, I was able to hear the number, which she could see, I immediately dialed (after drawing my trusty cellphone from it's deadly holster). Then, OF COURSE, I got....what?.....VOICEMAIL (isn't voicemail wonderful?) As calmly as possible I left a message for Dr Massie, which was NEVER returned....just like the other vets that never returned my emergency call. Of course I had to speak my peace (from the parking lot) before leaving. Granted, I really don't give a rats a$$ what you think, because..you are biased....as you have that right, being Massie's daughter.. You know, who cares...I don't, plain and simple. It's over with now, I still have the nightmares, but that's not your concern. I deal with it daily and it will soon pass. But I will say that my pets will no longer be taken to Frankfort vets for any reason whatsoever.

Now, for JMBwmn. My accountability? You may be so clueless to think everyone acts in the same manner as you in an emergency...that's your problem, not mine. As a matter of fact, this accident was probably my fault. Short and sweet, I was backing my truck down the drive, into the yard to move it out of the way. Because I know my cats, I know they don't consider a running vehicle to be scary, I corralled them into the garage, watched them as I backed up, stopped the truck in the yard, only to find that one had gotten under the truck.....and for reasons I will never undrstand, the cat jumped up into the fan blade just as I was about to turn the key off. Bang, bang....turned the key off...saw the half dead, bloody animal under the truck.....screamed NOOOO....scooped it up....put it in the floor board....took off for the nearest vet..while calling the vet mind you (again with my trusty cellphone drawn from it's deadly holster)....my wife, while on the other line called and relayed phone numbers while calling others... So, did I do something wrong? Hmmmm, maybe you should teach me the art of being soooo calm during an emergency during one of your "How to Respond in an Emergency" conferences , that you could hold at the Civic Center downtown. I'm sure you would have a full house to attend. Sound silly? That's what I think about your question. And then you (insinuate?) that I was acting crazy? Seeing how I'm seeing things here, if this had happened during business hours, and I had rushed in with a bleeding, half dead cat in my arms, that little old lady behind the desk just might have said.."Oh, you'll have to take a seat and fill out these forms before the doctor can see you". Not many people effect me the way you two have...So..maybe you can sit back and be...PROUD of yourselves? HellsBells!

First of all, I'm sorry for your loss. As a pet owner who deeply loves her current pets and has loved many dogs through out my life, I have had my many shares of Vet bills and pet emergencies. With that said, I must ask the orginal writer of this blog board.... Where is your accountability in all this? I had a dog who got into rat poison once at 7 pm. It was my job to think rationally and devise a plan. I called my Vet, got the emergency contact number, left a message regardaing my situation, then pull out the phone book and call various other Vets hoping to reach someone. Luckily, my Vet called me back with instructions then explain that if my dog had a seizure, to immediately drive him to Lexington for urgent care at the Animal hospital. If I had panic and driven him to various Vet clinics in Madison County, then I would have wasted lots of critical time. Luckily, my community now has a 24 hr Vet hospital; but that too comes with a cost. Although I have only read one side to this story, I would not have answered a door with a frantic person yelling and screaming if I was the lady in Massie's clinic. It is unfortunate that we live in a time and world where people do crazy stuff all the time. But in her defense, I would have put my safety first. Once again, I am sorry for your loss. My best advice to all pet owners would be to drive their critically injured animals to Lexington or the closest Vet Hospital if there is an after-hour emergency situation. And if you do seek urgent care, please don't fuss about the bill because we all know that urgent treatment will cost a pretty penny.

Yeah well i can tell all of you are city slickers

and have never had to shoot a suffering animal.

It is no fun, but much smarter than depriving

your children so your worn out 15 yr old

dog can suffer a few more weeks.

but many of the teens that work there are not "professional."

I agree with that statement.

It's called teasing with a response, my2cents2, not a personal attack. You were a little sarcastic with your response, remember, too. But neither of us can match Recon. (And let's keep it that way.)

I'm sorry about your experience at 127. To my knowledge, management hasn't changed. There are a couple of kind souls that work in the office, but many of the teens that work there are not "professional."

Logic, obviously, isn't your strong suit. ;)

Nice personal attack, TS. Keep practicing, and you'll be another Recon. We agree that there should be a joint effort to provide services...

When I brought my dying pet to 127, I was met at the front desk with questions as to whether or not I would be willing able to pay for tests and procedures, etc. I was like, um, could I just see a vet, please? Then, when I left without my pet (dead), there was laughing and merriment as I paid my bill. Sensitivity there, not so much.

Is this a change for that clinic; new management?

Doesn't seem it could have the loyal following it seems to have (it's always packed) otherwise, unless sheeple are just really, really gullible.

stubbornasamule: no - I am certain that they would not be there for my pet in an emergency situation. I'm SOL - eh? Lucky for me I have a neighbor who is a vet in another county...he's a nice guy and would do anything we needed if he were home.

To the guy and the gun....my only question for you is, when you are knocking on death's door, should we just shoot you too? Good Lord dude. You are the type that doesn't deserve to have pets!

If you have a pet that requires expensive, intensive care, the smart and nice thing to do is to introduce said pet to Mr. .45 caliber handgun.

I have had many pets. I loved and cared for them to a great extent. God put us over the animals to take care of them. Which includes putting them out
of their misery, and if you don't have the stomach for that well then you dont need a pet.

Let me begin by saying it is a tragedy when someone loses a pet & I am very sorry for your loss.

That being said ... I also think it is a tragedy when half-truths and false statements are posted on the internet that harm the dedicated veterinarians of Frankfort. I have watched my father (Dr. Massie) pull himself out of bed in the middle of the night to attend to emergencies, miss holiday after holiday to attend to ER cases, and arrive late to my school functions because he was caring for injured pets. My father makes a concerted effort to respond to each and every emergency presented by his ESTABLISHED clients, but the fact remains he is but one man. What the writer of this post forgot to mention was when he arrived at the clinic after hours he was beating the door down and ranting at the lady at the office. She was so scared she contemplated calling '911'. If you had used your phone to call the office you would have been greeted by a message telling you that if Dr. Massie was unable to return your message in a timely manner you need to call the AAA Emergency Clinic (the number is provided).

I openly admit my bias as Dr. Massie's daughter, but I think it only fair the writer of the post admit his bias as a distraught pet owner that responded to a crisis in a most illogical manner.

"I do get good care at 127, but I am in total agreement that their charges and fees are way out of hand."

They charged by the minute, for the last surgery my pet received. They also charged me for the instruments, including the latex gloves.

Ask for a detailed bill, next time your pet has a procedure. You'll be surprised.