Academy of Rural Veterinarians Western University August 31, 2007 Dr. John Waddell Sutton Veterinary Clinic Sutton, Nebraska

Keys to a Successful Life (adapted from H.J.Brown,Jr.) Marry the right person. (this will determine 90% of all future happiness or misery) Work at something you enjoy and that is worthy of your time and talents. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. (under promise and over deliver) Become the most positive and enthusiastic person that you know.

Keys to Success Be forgiving of yourself and others. Be generous. Have a grateful heart. Persistence, persistence, persistence. Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

Keys to Success Commit yourself to constant improvement. Commit yourself to quality. Understand that happiness is not based on possession, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect. (it’s a state of mind, not a situation) Take good care of those you love.

Keys to Success Be loyal. Be honest. Be a self-starter. Be decisive even if it means you’ll be wrong occasionally. Be bold and courageous. (you’ll regret those things you didn’t do more than things you tried and failed)

Keys to Success Don’t blame others. (take responsibility for every area of your life) Don’t do anything that wouldn’t make your Mom proud!

What’s missing? Where you live and work. How much money you make. What kind of car you drive. “Happiness is at a state of mind…not a situation!”

Sutton, Nebraska Population: 1477

                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                

Rural vet wisdoms Disease does not always read the book. The farther away you park your practice vehicle and the more fences between you and your patient is inversely related to how many things you forget to take with you. The client who calls after 10 pm will always tell you that they saw the cow starting to calve right after lunch. If she is “down and won’t get up”, make sure they have a rope, a four wheeler or a horse available.

The chances of recovery from serious disease or injury is inversely related to the clients love of and/or value of the animal. The value of a horse increases exponentially when it dies, especially if the animal was under the care of a vet at the time of death. Horse owners almost always are related to or have a close relationship to an attorney. A sick sheep gets up in the morning looking for a place to die, cuz it doesn’t need a reason.

The animal that has absolutely no chance to survive…will The animal that has absolutely no chance to survive…will. The converse is also true. Treatment failures will most likely be communicated by the loudest client over the din of the crowd gathered in a public place such as a café. In a small town, never say anything negative about someone, the person you are talking to is likely related to the person you are talking about. If you really love what you do, your vocation becomes a vacation every day.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. When you hear hoof beats, don’t be lookin’ for zebras. 80% of sick animals will improve no matter how or whether you treat them. 10% will die no matter what you do. God decides which ones are in each group. Happiness is a state of mind…not a situation. Never get in a pissin’ match with a skunk, a lawyer or a banker.

Work hard….

Play hard…