I have no reason to disbelieve this, and I think it’s a national disgrace. But that’s a subject for a different post.

I’m going to tell a story, and you can take it for what it’s worth.

When I was about ten, we adopted a kitten from some near neighbors. I don’t think mom really needed another mouth to feed, but my brother took a real shine to this kitten, and it would have required a harder heart than hers to turn the little cat away. Anyway, after a few days it became apparent that this kitten was not doing well. It had arrived at our home full of fleas and undernourished. We got rid of the fleas and kept his little tummy full, but his health deteriorated in spite of that. So we gathered him up and took him to our local vet.

After examining the kitten, Dr. Aronson told us that he believed the little cat had a severe bacterial infection, probably from the many flea bites he had suffered. He said that the kitten was dehydrated and needed to spend a few days in the hospital getting iv fluids and antibiotics. He said that he would phone us when the kitten was well enough to come home.

It was about a week before we heard from the vet that all was well and that it was time to pick up our little friend. When we arrived to collect him, mom pulled out her checkbook and asked Dr. Aronson how much we owed.

“Twenty-five dollars,” said the vet.

Now, this was quite a while back, but even in those days, $25 for a week at the vet’s was an absurdly low fee.

“Be serious,” mom said. This vet was always a bit waggish, and mom thought that he was joking.

“Twenty-five dollars,” he repeated.

“That’s impossible,” said mom.

Dr. Aronson said, “When I told you that this kitten needed to be hospitalized, you never asked me how much it would cost. Do you know how many people would have let him die rather than pay for a hospital stay? So I’m telling you now, the fee is twenty-five dollars, and I don’t want to argue about it anymore.”

So mom wrote the check, we brought our beloved kitten home, and enjoyed his antics for many years.

Obviously, Dr. Aronson never got rich… he was practicing in an era when vets rarely did. And sadly, he died while still a relatively young man… I’d be willing to bet he had lousy health insurance… even in those days, most self-employed people couldn’t afford good health care. But what he did have was the love and respect of the community he served. He truly cared for his patients, and he cared about the welfare of the people who owned them. His value to us could not be measured in dollars and cents. And I believe that at least on that day, he measured his own worth in the eyes of my 12-year-old brother, to whom he was not just a veterinarian, but a hero.

I’m not suggesting for even one moment that vets do not deserve to be paid well for the services they perform. The vet I have now has a very successful practice. He makes a good living, and quite rightly so. I go to his office prepared to pay for his services. But I chose this particular vet not because he’s a good diagnostician (which he is) or because he’s a nimble surgeon (also true). I patronize his practice because he is a kind man. I’m sure he paid handsomely for his education and worked very hard to build his practice. He deserves to reap the economic benefits of that. I admire his skill, and his business acumen, but what I admire most about him is his humanity.

so. i totally understand not feeling valued at work, boy do i get it. but why the personal offense to a statement that was hardly personal? if they were asking the question, they didn’t know how much it was. and the costs on the “low end” of the spectrum–they do SEEM pricey. if you’re a human with health insurance (as you note) they just do.

also, i can’t speak for everyone, but when i’m leaving a bar–assuming i’ve had a few–measured statements can take a backseat to loopy pronouncements of whatever might move me at the moment.

basically it seems kind of unfair to call him cheap or irresponsible.*

*full disclosure: I was there, know the kid, and he’s neither of these things.