There was a time that being a doctor, especially a country doctor, was viewed as a selfless calling that was supposed to care not if the patient was rich or poor or from the right or wrong side of the track.

Poor thing. let me take your pulse. Don’t worry, I know that you are pocket book challenged right now. But it is far more important that we get you feeling well.

unbelievable But today, the promise to do no harm. to help free and bond, and to help the sick in whatever house they may enter seems to becoming nothing more than a lovely platitude as the need to have the right insurance or plenty of green has become the norm and the idea of the selfless country doc who was willing to be paid in eggs or chickens slips into the days of lore. Now it seems that if you are sick, unless you have the right insurance or plenty of money, the likelihood of getting proper medical care is only a dream.

Oh what a lovely dream of the good old days when pupycians actually welcomed us into their office, took our weight and temperatures, and looked us in the face instead of hiding behind their phones.

 Happily, there are many doctors who hold their oath dear and have taken up the study of medicine with a strong desire to help their fellow man, there are some who enter this important field with the sole purpose of gaining prestige, power, or money.  Unfortunately, most of us have had a brush with a doctor whose words and actions left us feeling that money, position, and prestige were the motive for entering a career in medicine. Sadly, many of us have come across a medical practitioner that left us feeling that our care or the care of a loved one was tied to our ability to pay, and the almighty dollar was of far greater importance, than relieving the suffering and woe of humanity.In light of the way medicine has changed here is a Happy Pup version of how some doctors would wish that the Hippocratic Oath might look if were to be written today.

I solemnly swear, as a newly minted Dr. Happy Paws, that I will lord my knowledge over all of my patients. Declaring that my vast knowledge and unparalleled skills requires that one and all must follow my diagnosis without qualms or question, and that to do otherwise will be viewed as disparaging my great wisdom.

I do promise that my feet will not cross the threshold of any unworthy pup who does not posses the right insurance or large enough stash of bones to pay my modestly inflated bill as to do otherwise would diminish the high standard of living that must be accorded to all Dr. Happy Paws.

Ugh, just get to the point. I am a very busy pupycian, and I have many patients far more worthy of my time than you.

I promise that if it becomes my unpleasant task to take care of a poor or indigent pup, I will provide the most basic and meh care possible, and will continually remind the unworthy pup of their loathsome status as a free loader and my extreme goodness in condescending to look upon them for even a moment.

I also promise that for the right price, I will uphold my duty to dispense thoughtful and thorough medical care. Seeking diligently, with every ounce of strength I have to find and relieve the cause. Putting aside all other concerns and cares to devote every energy to relieving the sufferings of such worthy pups. Knowing that by my devoted action I shall lift up the name of all Dr. Happy Paws, that I shall add to their glory, and increase their  prestige as I fill their coffers and prove how worthy they are of their great pay and unquestioning homage.