Here at Taylor Veterinary Hospital we are given the honor of meeting many outstanding pets.
Pet of the Month is our way in recognizing the amazing animal friends that we
meet every day. We want to share these wonderful pets with you.
We are accepting nominations from pet owners and would like you to submit a photo and some information about your pet to PetDocs@TaylorVet.com
February 2012
Chaos and Jinxx Pilcher
Chaos is a 9 year old German Shepard rescue dog. When he was adopted he was 5 1/2 months old and a mere 37 pounds. Chaos was seized from a residence where he was greatly neglected. He was being fostered by a gal from Animal Control. She knew the Pilchers were looking for a German Shepard, so she brought him down to the the Humane Society for them to meet him. They walked him around the back yard, and he decided this was his forever family by jumping on Dawn and smearing her white shirt with mud. That decided it! He has been a cherished addition to their family, but they felt he may like a younger canine friend. Jinxx is a purebread Siberian Husky they adopted from family in New Mexico, and in Jinxx, Chaos got more than a friend, he now has a little brother!
Chaos loves to chase tennis balls, although his arthritis gets the better of him sometimes. Jinxx also likes to chase balls, as well as play tug-of-war. He also loves to rip the squeakys out of his toys, then the squeaky keeps him busy for HOURS!!! But mostly they like to play together in the back yard.
January 2012
Sophie Butters
Lindsey heard through a friend that there was a little terrier mix puppy that was tied to a tree in Brooklyn, IA.Lindsey walked up to her and saw this sweet puppy was tiny, dirty, had tangled hair and overgrown nails, and had a tag on her that said “Free.”Lindsey has always had a soft spot for animals, even has volunteered at animal shelters, so she knew she had to bring this little girl back to Cedar Falls.She planned on trying to find a friend or family member to take her or possibly to bring her to the animal shelter. The first night in Cedar Falls “Sophie” went and sat next to Lindsey’s bed at bed time and waited for help on the bed, Lindsey knew then that “Sophie” was hers forever “Sophie” has been an easy-going dog who is quite outgoing.She loves to take walks, play and eat turkey with peanut butter for a treat.“Sophie” found her forever home with Lindsey and they both are better off because of it.
December 2011
Dana Jasper
Kim Jasper loves checking out the animals at the Humane Society, but it seems when she does that, one of the cats out there, steals her heart.That was how Dana became part of her family.Dana was a mellow, friendly cat who loved Kim from the first minute she stepped into the cat room.Dana was adopted on St. Patrick’s Day in 2010, they estimate she was 3 years old then.She is a loveable cat, who puts up with most anything.She loves kids, dogs, strangers.Soon after she came home, she started having digestive issues.Dana spent a lot of time at Taylor Vet after she was diagnosed with megacolon, which causes constipation, abdominal cramping and is very difficult to treat.Kim tried all the treatments, Laxatone, enemas, other types of medicine, a major diet change, and Dana was just not getting better.Dana was such a trooper through it all.Finally after a lot of trial and error, they found the right combination of treatments that worked!Dana now gets medicine three times a day, and eats a very special diet mixed with canned pumpkin.She is a playful cat who loves to bring all her toys to Kim’s bed in the middle of the night and hides them in her shoes.Even though Dana is more high maintenance than most cats, in Kim’s opinion, being able to have her healthy and whole is a blessing that far outweighs the costs.
November 2011
Paisley Cryer
Playful Paisley Cryer loves to balance on the rungs of the kitchen chairs, to "stalk" her owners, and to chase ice cubes on the floor. Her favorite toys include a scarf, her own tail, and laundry baskets. She loves to sleep on the third floor of a doll house and carries her little stuffed lion all over the house. She also loves to take catnaps in her owner's arms. Her 5:30 a.m. meowing is tolerated by her owners only because she's so cute and loving. She's an enthusiastic bundle of endless purring and playful tail twitching. Our family is blessed to have her!
October 2011
Max Brown
Max is the beloved pet of the Brown family for the past 7 years.He came from a co-worker’s farm and was already named Max, but got the added middle name of Joseph, because he has a cross on his chest and a “coat of many colors.”One of his favorite things to do is to snuggle up under a blanket, and in fact, any blanket that comes into the Brown household quickly becomes his!He goes to bed early, and sleeps late and loves to be carried around like a baby and snuggle.Cheese is one of his favorite treats but he also likes to try to “kill” any new toys he gets by chewing on them and destroys them quickly.He loves his walks and gets so excited when he sees squirrels and bike riders through the front window of the Brown home.He doesn’t like the vacuum cleaner and tries to protect his family from it whenever it turns on!He loves his “camp” time with his friends when he gets to kennel at Taylor Vet.Life in the Brown family would not be the same without him.
September 2011
Louie and Lenny
One day last July, Deb Gallagher and John Smith were taking their normal early morning walk in North Cedar.As they walked along the road, they noticed a small kitten that was laying at the edge of the road.John and Deb have been dog owners for years, but never had any desire to have a cat of their own, but being animal lovers, they had to try to help this sweet kitty.They figured they could take the kitten to the vet to see if there was anything they could do for it.The cuddled it and held it close as they walked home.By the time they were home, “Louie” had stolen a piece of their hearts.After a visit to the vet, they decided to keep Louie as their own.He is a sweet, affectionate cat, who will put his paws on either side of your head and hold you close.After a while, they decided that they would add another cat to their house and visited the humane society.Lenny was adopted and has changed the atmosphere in their home immensely.Louie and Lenny are opposites.Louie is the “Dad” in the family, they call him their “Buddha” with his calm ways.Lenny is the adventurous son who is always into something.Running, chasing and tumbling, Lenny is the daring one.Louie adjusted to having a new cat in the house quickly and now they are the best of buddies.
August 2011
Buddy Cordes
Buddy has been a part of the Cordes family for about 7 years.He is about 12 years old but began his life as a rescue dog.When his original owner passed away, Buddy was taken into the Cordes family.He is a black lab who loves his family.He gives “hugs” to the kids and loves to be around them.About 6 months ago, they noticed a growth on Buddy’s leg which needed to be removed.The tumor was so large that there wasn’t much skin to close the area.With Buddy licking the wound, and the tight skin, the incision kept coming apart.The area became infected and swollen and Buddy stopped using that leg.Dr. Smith suggested they try laser therapy to help the skin heal faster and reduce the swelling.Once they began the laser therapy, Buddy began to use his leg again and the incision began to heal.The Cordes family was a bit skeptical of the laser therapy at first, but they were amazed at what a huge difference it has made for Buddy.Buddy has regained his mobility, runs and jumps and enjoys life again.
July 2011
Foxy Roxy Davis
Roxy Davis is a 7 year old Weimaraner who is the "sister" to Abby, Amelia, and Ava Davis. She has grown up from the time she was a puppy as part of the Davis family and plays with the girls as if she was one of them. From running and playing outside, to dress-up, and even hide and seek, she has amazingly human characteristics! For her birthday, she gets to sit at the table, dressed up (the picture is this past birthday) eating hot dogs and cupcakes. She loves stuffed animals and cares for them as if they were her babies. She sits patiently while her "sisters" give her pedicures and dress her up. She gets her own Christmas stocking and when the girls were younger, she would give them pony rides. Roxy is an amazing family dog and the Davis family wouldn't be complete without her.
June 2011
Maddie and Rosie DeVoll
Maddie and Rosie DeVoll are lucky Lemurs.They are a small part of Barry DeVoll’s family of exotic animals.Barry grew up in Cedar Falls and knew early on that he was a hands-on learner and he wanted to provide opportunities for other kids to explore and learn in tangible ways.He started with magic and animal shows as a young entrepreneur and those shows have blossomed into an educational show that travels nationwide.“Bixby and Friends” is a show that teaches families about conservation and how to best take care of the world that we live in.
Maddie was Barry’s first ring tailed lemur.She is 5 years old and just had her first baby, Rosie who is almost 2 months old.While lemurs are cute and social animals, they do not make good pets.After the age of 2, lemurs reach full maturity and their behavior becomes more unpredictable.In order to keep the animal handlers and the audience safe, Maddie is retired and lives a comfortable life in an animal sanctuary.Lemurs are very social animals, and have some human characteristics.They live in groups (called Troups) of 30-60 lemurs.They are adventurous and brave and also affectionate with other lemurs.They eat “monkey biscuits” (a prepared dry food with protein and vitamins) and many fruits such as bananas, papayas, star fruit, apples, strawberries but don’t really like vegetables.For treats they like to eat fruit loops, and fruit snacks.
Bixby's Rainforest Rescue show can be seen every day this summer at Adventureland. There will be an 8 foot Burmese python, a green winged Macaw, and a kinkajou in addition to a ring tailed lemur that will bring the rainforest alive for the audience. If you get a chance, stop by this summer to see some of these amazing animals and learn how to best taked care of our world.
May 2011
Missy Kelly
John and Linda Kelly have a passion for pets.They love both cats and dogs, but when their beloved beagle Kasi passed away, they quickly decided that they needed another small cuddler to help ease the pain.While at the dog show in Waterloo they met up with a breeder of small beagles and within two days were the proud parents of Missy who is also a beagle.Missy is now 6 ½ years old and an integral part of the Kelly family.She is a snuggler, and has to spend time with “Daddy” as soon as he comes home from work and showers him with kisses.She played with assorted toys until one day Linda bought a stuffed fox toy.“Foxy” instantly was the only toy that Missy would play with.She takes “Foxy” with her wherever she goes, uses her as a pillow, and cuddles her as if she was her baby.Missy has recently been on a bit of a diet, but loves carrots, sweet potato, red and green pepper, cabbage and the occasional bite of egg and toast.
Anyone who has dealt with the death of a pet knows the pain of loss.For John and Linda, Missy was the balm to ease that pain and bring joy back into the Kelly family.
April 2011
Shiloh Schnackenberg
ShilohSchnackenberg is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and "daughter" to Mark and Melissa Schnackenberg. She is 4 1/2 years old. She was adopted from a local pet store. Being the dog of a meteorologist, she was introduced on the news because we wanted the viewer's help in naming her. We had many options from viewers like Puddles and Radar, but the one we loved most was, of course, Shiloh. Her favorite thing to do is chase our two cats and many poor squirrel that ends up on our deck. She loves to run. Our house is her own personal raceway daily as she runs laps through each room. Her favorite treats are mini marshmallows. She is really a wonderful little dog.
March 2011 Whiskey Dunakey
Whiskey was found while Barb Dunakey was scrolling through PetFinder, looking at pictures and descriptions of Shelties available for adoption, when she came across a photo of a little guy listed with a rescue in the Minneapolis area. His story and his picture captured her heart, within a few days were approved to adopt, and they headed up to visit 'Tate' to see if he was the one for them.
They'd found out that 'Tate' was a dog originally from Iowa, saved by an individual rescue person at a Midwest Auction - more than likely a puppymill dog - and relocated to a caring organization in the suburbs of Minneapolis. They were told 'he was the most disengaged dog from human interaction' they'd ever taken in to their rescue. For the first month he wouldn't even look at them, and it was apparent he hadn't been given any love or affection in his nearly 2 years of life.
When they went to visit, he'd been with them for over 2 months and they were the FIRST potential adopters he even allowed to approach. Anyone else who had come to see him hadn't been able to get close to him as he would run in fear from corner to corner trying to get away. He allowed Barb's husband to approach him in the corner, and his rescurer was amazed that he was able to pet him and talk to him. Shortly thereafter, he allowed Barb to approach and talk softly to him while she petted him as well. It was apparent this little guy had led a traumatic life. Encouraged by the fact that he appeared to like the Dunakey's as much as he was capable, they happily adopted him and brought him home to be a part of their family.
From his arrival home on 8/21/10 until Thanksgiving weekend, he never made a single peep - not even a sigh or a yawn, let alone a bark; however, he did bark playfully at their Granddogs when they visited during the holidays. He has made progress with tiny baby steps towards becoming a more normal, happy dog in the 5 1/2 months they have had him, but he has a long ways to go yet. His past life has left him highly stressed, and he appears to suffer a bit from OCD tendancies as well, but he's learning to trust and is coming out of his shell little by little. Barb's little Whiskey is a beautiful Color-headed White/ Blue Merle purebred Sheltie with one blue eye and one brown, and weighs just under 15 pounds.
They love him to death and can hardly wait for the time when he feels safe and secure with them! When that finally happens, they know he'll be a happy, content boy in his furrever home and they'll spoil him as much as he'll let them!!
February 2011
Chagall Cook
Chagall Cook is a White Cockatoo (or Umbrella Cockatoo).One interesting thing about most birds is that it is nearly impossible to determine the sex of the bird without scientific testing.Chagall's person, Carol, has decided it isn't worth the stress to Chagall to know for sure and refers to him as a he. Chagall is 5 years old and has lived with Carol most of his life, she has had him since he was a few months old and had to hand feed him until he was old enough to take in enough nutrition by himself.He eats pellet food and other food for parrots, but also eats the occasional hard-boiled egg, fruits and veggies.His beak is strong enough that he can crack an almond shell, but also delicate enough that he is able to peel the skin off a grape before he eats it.
Chagall is a very social bird and loves to cuddle.He can be calm and still, but also when he gets nervous, or excited he will show his crest, puff up his feathers, bounce up and down and chatter.He can imitate some human noises and words. He can say his name, are you alright? and Goodnight. He can also imitate Carol's laugh.He feels more comfortable around women, but loves children as well.Cockatoos are chewers, so they need constant attention and toys to keep their chewing from causing destruction to wood.Cockatoos make great pets, but only after careful homework and research.Umbrella Cockatoos can live up to 80 years.The decision to be a Cockatoo owner is not one to be made lightly, but once you commit, they will be your friend and companion for life.
January 2011
Uncle Sam
"Sally" was brought to Taylor Veterinary Hospital by one of our staff member's family as a young pregnant cat and was quickly discovered to be a handsome male. Sam is approximately a year and a half old and is declawed. Since his arrival, he has been neutered, tested negative for feline leukemia/FIV, dewormed, and has received his distemper and rabies vaccinations.
Sam has established himself as an affectionate cat who enjoys being held and cuddled; his purr is activated almost immediately! He loves any kind of attention that anyone will give him. He feels right at home wandering the clinic during the daytime and likes to spend time with the other clinic cat - Chessie.
Processing ....
Chaos was seized from a residence where he was greatly neglected. He was being fostered by a gal from Animal Control. She knew the Pilchers were looking for a German Shepard, so she brought him down to the the Humane Society for them to meet him. They walked him around the back yard, and he decided this was his forever family by jumping on Dawn and smearing her white shirt with mud. That decided it! He has been a cherished addition to their family, but they felt he may like a younger canine friend. Jinxx is a purebread Siberian Husky they adopted from family in New Mexico, and in Jinxx, Chaos got more than a friend, he now has a little brother!
Lindsey heard through a friend that there was a little terrier mix puppy that was tied to a tree in Brooklyn, IA.
Kim Jasper loves checking out the animals at the Humane Society, but it seems when she does that, one of the cats out there, steals her heart.
Max is the beloved pet of the Brown family for the past 7 years.
along the road, they noticed a small kitten that was laying at the edge of the road.
Buddy has been a part of the Cordes family for about 7 years.
She has grown up from the time she was a puppy as part of the Davis family and plays with the girls as if she was one of them. From running and playing outside, to dress-up, and even hide and seek, she has amazingly human characteristics! For her birthday, she gets to sit at the table, dressed up (the picture is this past birthday) eating hot dogs and cupcakes. She loves stuffed animals and cares for them as if they were her babies. She sits patiently while her "sisters" give her pedicures and dress her up. She gets her own Christmas stocking and when the girls were younger, she would give them pony rides. Roxy is an amazing family dog and the Davis family wouldn't be complete without her. 
Maddie and Rosie DeVoll are lucky Lemurs.
quickly decided that they needed another small cuddler to help ease the pain.
for adoption, when she came across a photo of a little guy listed with a rescue in the Minneapolis area. His story and his picture captured her heart, within a few days were approved to adopt, and they headed up to visit 'Tate' to see if he was the one for them.
Chagall Cook is a White Cockatoo (or Umbrella Cockatoo).
"Sally" was brought to Taylor Veterinary Hospital by one of our staff member's family as a young pregnant cat and was quickly discovered to be a handsome male. Sam is approximately a year and a half old and is declawed. Since his arrival, he has been neutered, tested negative for feline leukemia/FIV, dewormed, and has received his distemper and rabies vaccinations.