Of course, my first emotion is the sadness and unfairness that “only the good die young.” I am sad for the family loss of a truly wonderful husband and father -- such a rarity in our time. We need more men like Don.
Then a smile sweeps over my face as I remember Don always smiled. I never heard him complain -- even when we shared the challenges of running a veterinary business.
At a North American Veterinary Conference almost 30 years ago Don heard me talking about making a bird bread for my breeding hyacinth macaws and asked to have some for his clients. From that day forward he was a loyal client of Harrison’s Bird Foods. Just last week I suggested to Tanya (Harrison) that we contact Don to review his client results with the food.
Later we were very pleased when he agreed to abridge the 1394-page Avian Medicine: Principles and Applications textbook to make a softbound version available for broader distribution.
He and Suzanne joined our small touring avian veterinary groups to Costa Rica and Australia, and we all got to spend quality time with them there.
Don loved the ocean - sailing, boating and diving. If there is such a thing a fitting end, then to leave this world doing what he loved is just that.
I will miss you, Don!
- Greg Harrison
As I found out yesterday the bird world lost a great friend. I'm a wreck this morning thinking my dog Maybelline has lost her 2nd "Best Friend".
ReplyDeleteIt was December 2002 when we got or girl. She was a street rescue and acted more like a crazy stray than anything that could turn into the part of my family she has become. She guards my wife and son in my absence and works for crumbs.
We first took Maybelline to see Dr Zantop on our cousin Ernie's recommendation, after all his was her foster home.
Dr. Zantop calmed our fears about May and made me believe she was worth keeping. He was there to calm me down when she developed Hip dysplasia and helped my wife and I get her in better shape to combat the symptoms.
I will miss him dearly.
Dr. Zantop meant so much to me and to our family and flock. I never imagined negotiating this world of parrots with out him. I will always be grateful that he let me keep him late and run into his office unnanounced with whatever bird emergency I was facing. He always treated the frightened rescue birds with so much dignity and respect and always had the kindest things to say about them. His expertise made the difference for them on more than one occasion and frankly, made the difference for me too as I struggled to hold back tears. He was so encouraging and his attitude toward life so wonderful and inspiring. We will miss him dearly but this angel has certainly earned his wings.
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