Of Snow Mice and Men…
Monday, March 8th, 2010With the days getting longer and spring in sight we look forward to snow turning to rain that does not require plows. We have had more missed days on our calendar in the first 8 weeks of this year than I have seen combined in the past 8 years at Pet Partners. The frustration has been that the areas that have received the most snow are areas that never get snow and do not know how to handle it. Those areas that depend on snow for attracting people and their animals have had virtually no snow and they also have had business affected. We seem to work through the recession with creative ease but weather is our virtual enemy.

But with all that said we are moving toward spring and it is apparent that the economy is not playing as heavily on the minds of our clients as it was one year ago. Though I do not believe things are much different from a reality point of view the press is telling people that the economy is getting better and therefore it must be. The acquisition trail is heating up and I am personally working with varied practice owners throughout the areas we desire and looking forward to a few additions to our affiliated hospitals over the next month or two. Expansion to our hospital group is a major focus of 2010 with the continued influence of great business practices to support the level of medicine that is practiced in each hospital. Though Pet Partners does not dictate medicine or drugs used it pleases me to be able to say that each of our practices provides a more comprehensive quality of medicine than they did before we purchased them.
On a lighter note I had the pleasure of vacationing just up the road from our hospital in Aurora, Colorado with my family on the mountain at Steamboat Springs. My wife is an avid skier as are my two youngest children ages 9 & 12. And I try to keep up and participate. Falling is my greatest concern for it is not as much fun as it once was. I am a big guy and we all know the “bigger they are the harder they fall”. I have skied for years, had my tumbles on the mountains but quite enjoy the outdoors and especially the powder in the Rockies. The entire week I had but one fall as I looked back to see where everyone was and taken down by what is referred to as a “snow mouse”. They can be prevalent and must be watched for. They jump out and grab you when you least expect it. They are the source of much conversation and laughs with my kids. My children have much more experience with “snow mice” than I do – fortunately!
On the fourth day as we walked from our bus ride from the mountain and approached our condo where we were staying for the week, I was attacked by the biggest “snow mouse” that I have ever witnessed. Snow mice off the mountain are rare in fact I did not know they existed. Ten feet from the door to removing boots and sitting in front of a fire I dropped like a bomb. My unstrapped helmet exploded from my head onto the ice covered asphalt. The skis I was carrying for my daughter went one direction and the poles in the other hand were gone. The camera I was carrying around my neck bounced comfortably on my chest as my back and right elbow hit the snow covered ice. My daughter and wife were frantic to find out if I was still breathing and OK. My nine year old son (hopefully realizing I was OK) announced quickly that he had just witnessed the best “yard sale” he had ever seen.
This discussion caught my attention quickly as I discovered something I had never heard before. A “yard sale” occurs when a skier falls and loses his/her skis and poles and they are scattered about the landscape. My family had just experienced the “ultimate yard sale” with the loss of all the above plus the helmet. I love the fact that I learn every day from my children and I love that every day I learn from the many great staff we have in our affiliated hospitals. If we stay close to our clients and staff we will continue to learn how to provide value with the services we render. That in my mind is the secret to success.
Best regards for an early spring,
Ted A Sprinkle, Jr. DVM
Chief Executive Officer
