Hi there Jeanneane, I hope summer and this message finds you happy, healthy and well... you, your family, and all of your 'kids'! I have good news regarding my efforts to vindicate my wonderful boy's suffering and death.  Very good news A little over a week ago, my attorney let me know that with all of the information I provided on Eli's mistreatment as well as the solid evaluations of his value, the 'state of the art' emergency vet hospital  settled for a sizeable sum which included your assessment of Eli's value, all attorney's costs, and all vet bills.  The scoundrels came back once with a sorry offer and stated that they were prepared to litigate.  I told my attorney to tell them FINE - its exactly what I want - let's go to court and make their disgusting failure a public spectacle.  That was it; they settled immediately.

.But that is not all, and not as important as what I have to tell you next.  Today, I received a letter from our State Board of Veterinary Licensure:  The Board stated that all the evidence provided was sufficient to prove that the vet who was in charge when I brought Eli in violated the rules and regulations that govern the practice of veterinary medicine in my state.  In return for the Board not prosecuting in court, the vet agreed NOT TO renew their state license for 4 years.  This is a voluntary revocation - that vet CANNOT practice here for four years.  Furthermore, if after four years the vet wishes to TRY to reinstate their license, the vet must present to the Board evidence of having successfully completed a minimum of 40 hours of emergency room training and X-ray interpretation before the board will consider their request.  It is the highest form of punishment the state can impose.  Among other things, the document states that  'Licensee [the vet in question] admitted that there is sufficient evidence from which the Board could find that she failed to properly read and interpret the x-rays taken of the patient [Eli] in violation' of  the particular state law.    

I shed tears for my remarkable boy once again today.  Sad tears because I still miss him terribly.  Happy tears because his suffering and death have been vindicated, and hopefully other animals will not suffer as a consequence.  Peaceful tears because his joyful spirit will live on in the good that will be done for others in need.  You see, I have contacted the German Shepherd Rescue for our region ... a big part of the settlement will be given in Eli's memory, to help other German shepherds who might otherwise lose their lives.    Jeanneane, thank you for your support through the last year and a half.  You are one great lady.  Oh, and one more picture for you, to remember how well my boy could SMILE!!!  God, I loved that incredible dog that you blessed me with.  He was with me far too short a time.

 
Love,  Janet

Massachusetts