Tuesday, 14 October 2025

Reminder

 

Reminder

                     Gilbert is glad he's not having a blood test this week!

We were congratulating ourselves on having a free diary this week, with no scheduled appointments, and then ‘ting’ a message appeared on Barry’s ‘phone. It was from Medivet, to remind us that Gilbert had a blood test scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at Parsons Green.

I checked my diary and Barry checked his – nothing! In any case, why Parsons Green? It is a residential area in Hammersmith and Fulham, thirty-nine miles from where we live. Two of the daughters live in London and have pets, but neither of them is anywhere near Parsons Green.

Sharyn was in Reception at our veterinary practice this morning and she was intrigued. She was able immediately to pinpoint when the appointment was made – about thirty seconds before the reminder dropped into Barry’s ‘phone! – and said she would contact the practice at Parsons Green. Would he like her to call him back? He thanked her and said that she was a busy person, and it wasn’t necessary. He was just concerned that there was a Gilbert ‘out there’ requiring a blood test, who might miss it.

We are curious, though, and would have loved clarification. Is Gilbert a dog, a hamster, a cockatoo, a snake? We’ll never know. We simply hope the message reached the right person eventually.

As ever, we were impressed by the efficiency of our veterinary practice. We know, from experience, that if it been a reminder from the NHS that we wanted to query or verify, we would have been passed from pillar to post. It would have taken most of the morning, speaking to oh-so-patient receptionists in various departments before someone somewhere would have been able to give us the answer.

So, we still have a clear week. Three cheers!

56 comments:

  1. Ohhh that doggo face, I am in love!!

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  2. Mix ups like that can cause a lot of stress.

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    Replies
    1. It was worrying to think that an animal in need might be overlooked.

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  3. Good for you for doing the right thing and following up at the vet's office.

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    1. We know how we would feel in similar circumstances.

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  4. It might have been a spam message and a hacker would have been able to get access into your phone if you had answered. Gilbert looks lovely resting on the couch.

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    1. No, it was just a text message. 😊 Gilbert knows how to make himself comfortable.

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  5. Sometimes I think it'd be easier to get my hooman medical care at the vet's office! Linda in Kansas

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    1. I couldn't agree more. Results come through so much quicker and everything is more efficient.

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  6. Cheers for your free week and no blood tests.

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  7. Gilbert has such an intelligent face, perhaps he really _does_ know he has a blood test scheduled, and doesn't want to go ahead with it. I am on Gilbert's side.

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    1. Gilbert loves going to the vet because he always gets treats, and you know how much Labradors appreciate those.

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  8. Strange! My first thought on these occasions is always some sort of spam or phishing exercise.
    Lucky Gilbert. He has escaped the needle.

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  9. I believe vets are allowed to treat humans, but doctors are not allowed to treat animals... I wouldn't swer to this though...

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    1. I just checked. Neither are allowed to treat the other.😁

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  10. Good point our vets are much better at people skills whilst caring for our pets.

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    1. I do agree. I suppose vets have to be better communicators, since their patients can't speak for themselves, and owners know their animals.

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  11. Well that was odd. Good thing the receptionist was able to get that straightened out for you

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    1. We couldn't' think why Gilbert would be needing a blood test, as, fortunately, he's not ill.

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  12. We can see that on this planet are loved pets are definitely more important than humans, lol.

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  13. A clear week is great! -Christine cmlk79.blogspit.com

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  14. At first I thought you were celebrating a week without dairy. 😀

    No doubt Gilbert is just as happy to pass up on that test.

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    Replies
    1. It's so easy to misread - I do it all the time.

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  15. Sounds like an innocent mistake but does make you wonder about another Gilbert. Hope they get to the bottom of it, Your dog is so cute.

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    1. We hope so, too. Gilbert is a lovely boy.

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  16. A week without medical (or other) appointments is a reason to cheer. We rarely enjoy a week off. Relax, Gilbert (and Janice and Barry).

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  17. Gilbert is very handsome and I feel sure he is an all-around good fellow! I'm glad he didn't have to face the needle this time.

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  18. He is a good chap and very affectionate.

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  19. Oh joy, having a free diary sounds blissful!
    Anyway, I hope that they were able to get through to the right Gilbert's people. I'd be intrigued too ... xxx

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    1. We've heard nothing more, so assume the right people have been informed.

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  20. Gilbert is so very handsome and I know he is glad he is getting a jab.. this is quite amazing, someone must have made a typo with the phone number, or email address. sometimes we get a message for someone we don't know and I dial the number back to tell them its a wrong number.

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    1. I had shoes delivered that I hadn't ordered. My order ended up about 80 miles away - I know that's a short distance for you, but it's a lot for us, with our congested roads and narrow lanes!

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  21. Gilbert is a lovely boy with a very sweet expression. I look at him and immediately feel non-stressed.

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  22. Three cheers for a clear week ...
    ... although I do hope that they were able to get through to the right Gilbert's people!?

    That is a lovely photograph of your Gilbert.

    All the best Jan

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  23. Yay and big shout outs for having a clear week. The photo of Gilbert is the cutest..

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    1. It's so good to think that our time is our own. 😊

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  24. A gentle reminder that even in the digital age, human efficiency (and curiosity) still triumphs over the mystery of automated messages

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    1. A fully automated life would be rather barren and soulless, I think.

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  25. Thank goodness for the efficiency of your veterinary practice. And good for you for following through when you got the reminder to at least try to see that the reminder went to the right person!

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    1. It must have been another owner with our surname, too.

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  26. Hi Janice - I so agree to clear days and weeks ... they're a pleasure. I sincerely hope Gilbert got their jab of whatever ... and yes your Gilbert is a delight - as too everyone else!! Cheers Hilary

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    1. We don't often have those errors from the vets, fortunately.

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  27. It's so lovely - and rare - to have a clear week!

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    1. I don't think your weeks are ever clear . . . 😟

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  28. I bet Gilbert is glad that it's a mistake lol

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  29. He never minds, because Vets Mean Treats!

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