I have what my Sailor and I refer to as our 'furry child'. Caleb is my precocious cocker spaniel. He is my baby. Like most cockers he needs to be needed, he needs to be the center of my universe, and at age 14 he is still 'feeling his wheaties.' And I need him! Caleb gets me through deployment. He never leaves my side, he sleeps with me and, on those blue days of deployment, he keeps me going. Ok, and like all furry children - he makes me crazy.

Caleb is feeling his age. He is slowing down, he is playing less and our walks are getting shorter. But recently his decline has been more pronounced. We took him to a civilian vet who prescribed medication stating, "If this doesn't cure him we'll know he has cancer." I was crushed.

Well, the medication improved Caleb's symptoms but caused extreme stomach upset and Caleb seemed to be deteriorating in other areas. Caleb developed yet another ear infection during this period. My husband suggested I take Caleb to the base vet. To be honest we thought we would soon be discussing 'doing the right thing' for Caleb.

NBVC was without a vet for a while but their new one is top-notch! Dr. Michael Staitman, a civilian and experienced diagnostician, reviewed Caleb's medical record and said, "Let's run a few tests before we proceed."

To make a long story short Dr. Staitman connected the dots between Caleb's lethargy, chronic ear infections and other symptoms as part of a broad root condition; his malfunctioning thyroid. Who knew? With a small pill twice per day my precocious cocker is back to being a pain in the neck - I mean back to his fun, playful, loving, furry ball of love.

My point is I've not often utilized the base veterinarian services. I'm now sold on them! Congress mandates a $2 user fee and other services are at cost. What a deal for outstanding vet care for my baby.

I know I'm not the only 'mommy' to a furry kid. Did you know about base vet services? Have you used them? Sound off!