Some light snacking...

Caitlyn Lennon, Western University

Life as a Vet Student, Honorable Mention

My dog, Dorado, has severe allergies and is on a hypoallergenic diet. My family had gathered at our house for Christmas Eve dinner. Everyone was very interested in hearing about what sorts of things dogs were allergic to and how the hypoallergenic diets work. Everyone, that is, except grandma. Grandma was more interested in snacking on the variety of goodies displayed on the dining room table. About halfway through the conversation, grandma decided to join the group. She had a sour, disgusted look on her face. I looked at her, quite puzzled. She turned to me and said, "Those macadamia nuts taste disgusting!" My mother walked over to the table, muttering, "I didn't put out any macadamia nuts." Suddenly she burst out laughing and I realized what had happened. Unbeknownst to me my mother had placed Dorado's bowl of food on the dining table temporarily as the other dogs were trying to steal it. My grandma had seen the round, white kibbles and decided those looked quite tasty! They most definitely were not. The laughter did not stop for the entire night. 

"Dairying Ant", "Upside Down", and "WesternU Sees Rain"

Andrew Tsai, Western University

Creative Corner, Winner

"Dairying Ant" - "Some species of ants 'farm' aphids, protecting them on the plants they eat, eating the honeydew the aphids release from the terminations of their alimentary canals... These 'dairying ants' 'milk' the aphids by stroking them with their antennae." -A. Tsai

"Upside Down" - This picture is intentionally inverted. Please rotate the monitor/phone for maximum mind blowing. -A. Tsai

"WesternU Sees Rain" - If you've seen WesternU's campus, you know it doesn't look like this. One of my favorite parts about rain is how it transforms the ordinary: even though we look at the same scene, we see something different. -A.Tsai

Forget the Swag, Just Gimme the Bag!

Tony Nitido, Western University

Creative Corner, Entry

"It doesn't matter how many toys and treats I bring home, it's what's holding them all that counts for this little one!"

Autumn Train Ride

Christina Tataryn, Western University

Creative Corner, Entry

Never underestimate the.... what?

Katherine Baldwin, Western University

Foot in Mouth Disease

     As first year vet students on clinical rotations, there are many things that you are not very comfortable doing.  When asked to express the anal glands on a tiny Chihuahua while never having done it before, it is understandable why some students would have hesitated.  The supervising clinician offered some unforgettable words of comfort and encouragement when he said, “It will be OK - never underestimate the elasticity of the anal sphincter.”