I’m often-asked what inspired me to become a veterinarian. I chose this profession after hearing an enthusiastic vet talk about his typical day’s work. It was exciting and anything but routine. But my love for animals and for helping people was first inspired by my parents, both very kind individuals. Dad was tough. He taught me important survival skills. And together, we developed a love for fixing things, including some old cars.
My parents had some strict rules. I hated doing weekend chores before I could join my friends to play baseball or kick-the-can. I disliked going to Sunday School, and I dreaded trips to visit old family friends. It meant I’d have to sit quietly for at least an hour. “Children should speak only when spoken to,” she’d tell me. Then she’d insist I tuck in my shirttails and put a belt on my pants before going out the door. “You can’t leave the house half-dressed.”
Most of all, my parents taught self-respect and discipline. They wanted me to succeed and they knew that I wanted to become a veterinarian. So they pushed me to my goal. My folks were my driving force, my inspiration.
Mom was always there when I found trouble. She supported me whenever I needed guidance. And she showed me how to make lemonade out of lemons, her favorite expression for making the best of a bad situation. Somehow, things always ended up OK, just like she said they would.
She led by example and when Dad passed away seven years ago, she showed me how she could live on and enjoy life. She made the best of one of life’s toughest challenges.
Mom left us a few weeks ago. She had a lengthy battle with dementia, during which she repeatedly baffled doctors and nurses with her happy attitude and chatty responses to their questions. She refused to let her illness get her down. She wanted everyone to see she could make the best of any situation.
She’s gone now and I think I’ve learned her lessons well. I found some family pictures and old letters, memories that make me laugh out loud. And every morning when I look in the mirror, I can see her smile as I tuck in my shirttails and buckle that belt. Life goes on, so they say. And I’m gonna live it in a way that would make that grand old lady proud. Now on to this week’s question.
Q:
How come different animals are pregnant so much longer than others? How long is a dog pregnant? What about a horse?
A:
Gestation – length of pregnancy – differs in different species for many reasons. Much depends on how large the newborn baby will be. But there are other factors as well. Some newborns are more precocious than others. For example, newborn kittens and puppies are born with their eyes and ears closed. They neither see nor hear anything for at least a week. Newborn foals and calves, on the other hand, are able to stand within a few minutes after birth. They know how to look for their mother’s teat to get that first meal. They can see and they respond to the soft call of their mother’s voice when they first rise up.
So how long are dogs and cats pregnant? The average gestation for these animals is about nine weeks (some breeds are a little longer and some a little shorter). Different horse breeds have differing pregnancies, anywhere from 11 to 12 months on average. How about pigs? Their pregnancy averages 115 days (the sum total of three months + three weeks + three days). And which mammal has the longest pregnancy? African elephants get this award. Female elephants carry their baby for up to 22 months!
