Manual for mutt manners

There's an entire chapter on veterinary hospital etiquette in The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette by Charlotte Reed (Adams, 2007). Some of her tips for pet owners include:

• Try not to phoneon Saturday, as that's the busiest day of the week in most clinics. Ask for the best time to call back if the receptionist sounds busy.

• Always bring your pet insurance claim form with you.

• Call an hour or two before an appointment to make sure the doctor is on schedule. Emergencies happen!

• Always bring in pets on a leash or in a carrier.

• Offer to clean up poop or vomit if your pet has an accident in the waiting room. The receptionist will probably tell you she'll take care of it, but at least make sure other people and pets don't step in it.

• Don't disturb others by talking on your cell phone.

• At the end of a visit, wait patiently for medication, make sure you understand any instructions the doctor or staff members have given, and pay your bill in full.

• It's considered "poor taste" not to pay the bill if your pet dies at the hospital. If you think the provided healthcare was poor, pursue a remedy through the proper regulatory or legal channels.

Do you need to sell this book at your clinic?