Shawn M. Finch, DVM

Earlier this year, I started facebook page for Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Papillion.  It has been a very fun learning curve and a very fun project!

I still have not learned all of the ways in which to utilize facebook.  The group of people who “like” the page is just the neatest group of people ever (you).  So far we have posted some pet tips and links to articles here and there.  And of course, since it is me, there have been a few smart alec comments too. : )

Let me know what YOU would like to see on facebook!  I can amuse myself all day, but that does not necessarily help you or your pets, and that is the idea behind the page - to help you be better informed, be encouraged, get to know us, and to help your pets have the very best medical care they can have, either with us or because we have helped you become empowered to be super awesome advocates for them (hopefully both!)

So send me all of your great ideas.  If you like the page, tell your friends about it.  Thank you for all of your support here and there and in Real Life.  I think you are the very best.

Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Papillion

Here goes…THIS is gonna be fun : )

Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Papillion on twitter

This is the picture I sketched and colored with a blue Sharpie for the @PapillionBF twitter logo.  #LowTech : )

Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Papillion on facebook

Su helped me work on the facebook account all afternoon.  Dave helped me finish it from Mom and Dad’s house, and since I did not have my stash of pet pix, Mom let me use this cute one of Myrtle the Turtle.

Thank you for helping me get these two projects off the ground!  It has been a fun day getting them both started and I am excited to see what develops from here!

July 27, 2010 UPDATE: Keep a watchful eye on both of those projects, but don’t expect big huge, earth-shattering announcements and exchanges yet!  Both projects are on hold for now, but I am still reachable through both accounts or at @Finch93 (on twitter) or by e-mail - finch@rileyandjames.com.  I will let you know more as soon as I know more!

Follow @PapillionBF if you want “one more follower” as I will of course, follow you back, or if you want to be there in case I come back and say something brilliant, but don’t expect anything any time soon!  That project is still on hold and may become something else entirely.  Still exciting, and still fun to try new things and see where they end up!

The Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Papillion facebook page is active.  Feel free to join in even if you do not live in Papillion.  (haha that is a silly thing to say, I don’t even live in Papillion!)  We can discuss anything you would like to.  Dr. Wittler will probably be adding some medical information soon, and it could always use more cute pictures besides Myrtle the Turtle!

(If you don’t mind, imagine the next sentence fragments in the voice of Flint Lockwood, from Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. You know I LOVE to be boring, but sometimes I love to SEEM exciting, so I thought maybe that would help. Thanks.)

Gathering!  Restating!  Linking!  Helping!  <running around the living room> <pushing big red button>  Publishing!

I know it’s been said, but I just wanted to make sure you and your pets have all the resources you need for this Independence Day!  So this week I am gathering and reposting information about storm and firework phobias.  Add any tips or resources you have!

Scared on the Fourth of July - Last Year’s Posting With an Update

Thunderphobia - Trainer Eric Goebelbecker’s Great Posting on Dr. V’s Pawcurious Website

Fourth of July Fireworks Safety Tips for Your Pets - brand new article from Dr. Patrick Mahaney, Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Thundershirts! - Too late to order them from the website for Sunday!  And as you know, yahoos in Omaha are already shooting off fireworks, so the poor dogs are already pretty worked up.  Nebraska Humane Society has some Thundershirts, but they are running low!  Quick, go push someone out of the way and grab theirs.  (Don’t really.)

Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Papillion 402-331-1108  If you need information or medication, call to make an appointment with your pet today or tomorrow before the weekend gets even crazier!

On a sort of related note, July 4-July 15, Banfield, The Pet Hospital is having a pet photo contest with an Independence Day theme.  I am going to enter Fuzzy and Wuzzy Rats eating watermelon.  So when I say GO, vote for Fuzzy and Wuzzy on Banfield’s facebook page.  They would make a banner with their picture on it!!  How awesome is that??  If you enter your pet, I will vote for him or her too, so let me know!

(July 4, 2010-”GO!”  Thanks all!)

Happy Independence Day! Make sure your pet is with you or safe at home this weekend.  Here’s to a safe and wonderful weekend for you and your family!  God Bless America!