The Misadventures at Banfield Pet Hospital

Thursday, July 17 11:00am

Ring Ring...I pick up the phone

Hi, this is "J" with Banfield reminding you that Dusty has an appointment tomorrow at 9am for vaccinations, check-up, and to get a refill of Atopica.

Me: Oh, okay (my mom had scheduled an appointment while I was out of the country and I wasn't informed-usual occurences in my family. I had already scheduled carpet cleaners to come at 10am, so I found myself in jam) Well, I have people coming to clean the carpets at 10am.

J: You can drop him off instead.

Me: Okay, let's do that. Oh, and Dusty has extreme allergic reactions to the vaccinations and what Dr. B had decided to do was give him a couple at a time. You know spread them out.

J: Okay, I'll let the doctor know.

Me: Alright, thank you.

J: Your welcome. Have a nice day.

Me: Thanks, you too.

Friday, July 18 8:45

I take Dusty to Banfield, which is located inside Petsmart. I go up to the check-in counter and "J" is there to greet me.

Me: Hi, I have Dusty Miller for his vaccinations and check-up.

J: Okay. (She hands me a form that I've had to fill out every time I bring Dusty) Just fill out the purple section.

Me: Okay.

It's the usual things. Phone numbers that I can be reached at. I put down my home number and write until 11am. I then fill in the second space with my cell phone number and write anytime. Banfield has provided these spaces for the customer to fill in so if they need to get a hold of me they know what numbers would be best throughout the day. Good idea in my opinion, but it only works if they actually refer to the paper later on in the day. Move on down and see allergies. I put down environmental, food, and drug allergies. He has them ALL. I also put down, extreme reaction to vaccines. Move on down. Medications pet is taking at present: I put down Atopica. Which, let me remind you, is the medication they are supposed to refill for him today. (The reason I'm providing you with all these seemingly insignificant details will become all too clear as we progress through the day). Move on down. Anything else you would like us to do today during your pet's visit? I write down: clip nails. I sign my name at the bottom and hand it back to her.

J: Okay. What time would you like to pick Dusty up?

Me: Um, 2:00.

The rest of the details of this part of the story are definitely meaningless. In short, she takes Dusty to the back with Dusty whining and crying all the way.

I return home. My carpets get a well deserved cleaning and then I use the rest of my time to run some errands.

1:30 pm

I decided to call Banfield to see how Dusty was doing. I assumed thirty minutes to pick-up he would have already received his vaccinations and would be under observation.

Ring Ring...

T: Hey this is "T" at Banfield Pet Hospital. How may I help you?

I know T and he has worked with Dusty a lot so I feel pretty good that he's there.

Me: Hi "T". This is Jackie, Dusty Miller's owner. I'm just calling to see how Dusty's doing.

T: Hey Jackie. Guess who's in my arms right now.

Me: Really?

T: Yeah!

Me: Wow, okay.

T: We are just about to pre-med him and then give him his vaccines. Dr. V will call you after she's done. Okay?

Me: Okay, thanks. Bye.

T: Alright, see you soon. Bye.

I'm suprised that at 1:30 Dusty still hasn't been vaccinated. Especially with his history behind the whole mess. They know that he needs to vaccinated early because of the potential reaction he could have. I'm still calm at this point because I was thinking if they only give him to vaccines along with pre-med then he should be fine.

2:00

I haven't received a call yet, so I go to Banfield anyway.

Me: Hi, I'm here to pick up Dusty Miller.

J: Oh, Dr.V just called you.

Me: No, I haven't received a call.

J: Oh, well you must have just missed her. Dusty isn't ready yet. Some emergencies just came in, so we couldn't get to him.

Me: Okay.

J: If you could come and pick him up after 3:00 that would be great.

Me: Well I have something to go to at 4:20.

J: Okay, so you can come right at 3:00 if you want.

Me: Okay, thanks.

I'm just a little frustrated because we would be in this mess if they had seen him when they were supposed to, at 9:00am. He had an appointment at 9:00. That shouldn't change just because I dropped him off earlier. The fact remains that the 9:00 space was reserved for Dusty. Instead they push it to thirty minutes before his pick-up time and of course something comes up and everything is delayed.

Story to be continued...oh, yes there IS more.