Looking for a good "VET"

There he came down the hall, flowing white hair and beard, with gold-rimmed glasses and a black and white Breton on a leash, looked like Santa Claus at a dog show.

I had been told Noel was a vet who drove a ‘Vette.  That was good news for me- one of my dogs had an infection, had been on meds, and while better, was still not completely recovered.  It was comforting to know that vet would be along on our pheasant trip to Iowa.  In fact, I had told my vet at home just that. 

But that first impression of Noel was a little confusing.  While he didn’t look like a vet, what exactly is a vet supposed to look like?  I guessed he might have worked with large animals- reindeer, maybe? 

Things were confirmed when I asked him a canine health question and got a pretty obscure reply.  I was right about the large animal practice!  But it seemed like such an easy question even I knew most of the answer. 

At dinner a few nights later, a friendly lady diner came by our table and commented on Dr. Noel’s Kringle-like appearance.  His immediate response- “Well there young lady, would you like to sit on my lap??”   Certainly had a table-side manner. 

As the evening progressed, I became more and more uncertain about the good doctor.  Yes, I knew he drove a Corvette.  And he came to Iowa in a big rig diesel pick-up.  But that only meant he was good at what he did.  But what did he do? 

Somewhere just before dessert (which in Amana, Iowa is always awesome), it hit me- “vet” isn’t just short for veterinarian and Corvette- it also refers to veterans.  Duh!   

Whatever Dr. Noel didn’t have in veterinary skills, he more than made up for in his love for life, people, and the little black and white Breton who accompanied him everywhere, even to bed.  The good people you meet over good dogs.