DEAR ABBY: Please advise your readers to take the time to get the telephone number of an emergency animal clinic before they need it.
Tonight my neighbor's dog was hit by a car. Valuable time was saved because she had the telephone number of an after-hours emergency animal clinic programmed into her cell phone. Luckily, I also had a card for the clinic with a map and directions on the back.
When an accident occurs, moments count. A moment of preparation now could save a precious life later. -- A.J. WARE, ATLANTA
DEAR A.J.: That's a terrific suggestion, and I'm pleased to pass it along to my pet-owning and animal-loving readers. Consider it added insurance against the unexpected.
P.S. It's also a good idea, when traveling with your pet, to take along its vaccination and medical records. In case of an emergency, the vet will need them.