It’s amazing how points of view can be so different:
Recently, my Labrador, Eddie, had a tough day. He had to go to a veterinary hospital to see a consultant because our local vet wasn’t sure what was causing his limp.
Turns out the problem isn’t immediately obvious to the consultant either. He took a CT scan of Ed’s legs and shoulders and identified some inflammation but isn’t quite sure what’s causing it, so he’s asking the rest of his team to look at it this week and see what they can come up with together.
I took him to Southen Counties Veterinary Specialists near Ringwood, Hampshire, and I would recommend them for customer service. I’ll write a review for them at some point, and it will say something like:
“I had a very good experience with SCVS. Their intake procedure was very clear and reassuring, and they communicated with my insurance company directly, so I didn’t need to worry about them getting paid (also, big thanks to Pet Plan - who, although aren’t the cheapest insurance providers, really do provide excellent customer care, too). On arrival at the premises, I thought it looked excellent - very well appointed, and the reception team were friendly and kept me appraised of what was going on. The veterinary specialist took time to assess my dog and had a very kind manner, which was great because my dog wasn’t keen on being there. He had to stay for a scan, which took about an hour and a half because he needed to be sedated. The reception team pointed me in the direction of a great cafe nearby, and they called me when my dog was ready for collection. The vet then talked me through the scan results, gave me full instructions for his aftercare, and let me know he’d call me the following week when the team had time to discuss the results. All in all, a very good experience, and I would highly recommend SCVS.”
If Eddie could type, this is what he would say:
“If it were possible to give minus stars for a day out, this joke of a place would get minus billions!
Usually, a car trip ends in a nice walk or, at the very least, a meal in a pub for my mum and dad with snacks for me, but this particular trip ended in what can only be described as a living nightmare.
Firstly, it smelt weird - a nasty concoction of cleaning chemicals mixed with the unmistakable aroma of fear - and I understand why: this place is atrocious on every level. The only slight redeeming factor was they had a separate VIP lounge for cats, who tend to be rude bastards at the best of times, so at least I didn’t have them glaring at me.
Anyway, I felt completely duped by a white-coated Norwegian man, who, although he seemed friendly on first impressions, took my mum and me to what can only be described as a private lair, where he proceeded to poke and prod me, and pull my legs around in angles they really weren’t designed to be in.
He then convinced my mum to leave me with him (he’s obviously a confidence trickster because she didn't bat an eyelid) and took me down a long corridor into his torture chamber, where he drugged me, stuck needles into me, and did indescribable things to me with clunky machines.
God knows how long I was in that room but it must have been hours, or possibly days, because when he let me out, I found all the hard floors had been replaced with ridiculous waterbed-type flooring, which was a bugger to walk on, and they had filled the place with purple elephants.
Mum must have bought this experience day from Wowcher Rejects or something because the whole day was utter shite, and I would not wish it on my worst enemy.
AVOID THIS PLACE!”
Poor Eddie. I really felt for him, but the coaching message from this is everyone’s experience will be coloured by their own expectations. Somebody might tell you a restaurant is crap, while someone else will tell you it’s the best one ever! The explanation is rarely a simple one. Even the top restaurants won’t please everyone all the time, and the most mediocre diners can feel brilliant when you’re in a great mood and with great company.
The next time you listen to someone else’s opinion about something or someone, especially if it’s a poor one, then remember their view is likely to differ from your own for many different reasons.