Falling Down the Thames Blog 8, 7th May 2014
Attributes of a Travel Companion
My life is an open book. This is literally true. Anyone with $25 that they are willing to spend in a bookshop, or indeed has a valid library card, can find out all sorts of sordid things about me.
This can prove surprisingly unsettling. When I am first introduced to someone, and they tell me that they have read one of my books, I can assume that they know I am a vegetarian, a runner, and like to drink beer, even though I don’t know a single thing about them other than their name. They know where I went to university, with whom, what I studied, and how well I performed there. They also know that I like to bugger my life away, chasing strange creatures in exotic locales so that I can reveal my misadventures in books. Readers are likely to come away with the impression that I like all sorts of things that begin with the letters “mis.” I am a miscreant, and can, at times, be misanthropic. I often misspeak, misrepresent and misquote, leading to misconceptions. My mother would claim that I am misunderstood, but would also admit that I am a mischief-maker
Contrast my life with that of Krista, a woman brave enough to agree to spend a few weeks with me in small watercraft falling down the River Thames. Unlike me, Krista is the sort of person that you might elect to parliament, or trust to mind your children. She is a genuinely nice person. In short, if you and Krista were stopped by a police officer, you would want Krista to do all of the talking.
And if you live in the Greater Toronto Area and own a pet, you might eventually get to speak to Krista. For the sake of your pet, I sincerely hope that you won’t, but if you need help with your kitten or puppy, then Krista is the right person.
Because, you see, Krista is veterinary surgeon. I have seen her in action, and can testify that she is very, very good at her work. She should be. After graduating from the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at the University of Guelph, Krista completed an internship in small animal medicine in Colorado, followed by a three-year residency in small animal surgery in Florida. And the veterinary emergency hospital in Mississauga / Oakville is damned lucky to have her.
- Glen