We Have A Floor!

Things are going to start moving quickly now. I'm at a writers retreat on Salt Spring Island until Sunday, so I can't post a photo, but trust me, that swath of concrete is a sweet, sweet - and hard-won - sight. Ask Cheryl or Dr. Ray.

Stay tuned, readers.

Quiz!

Question: Why is this a better image?



Answer: Because Dr. Ray's car is in the foreground.

Question: What is the car's name?

Answer: Precious 2.0

Question: Is this for real?

Answer: Um... have you met Dr. Ray??

An upgraded visual tour...

Now that the scaffolding is down it's a little easier to visualize the finished product. The New Improved Ellwood Park Animal Hospital will encompass all three units, as seen in this photo. Upon entry through the main doors in the central brick portion, you will immediately be greeted -- by Margaret, yay! -- at the reception desk. After she checks you in, you'll proceed to the waiting area, on the left in the photo. This waiting area is partially divided, to provide visual separation for those pets with, ahem, space issues. Two examination rooms will open onto the waiting area. To the right of reception will be a third, larger consultation room for appointments requiring more time or privacy. Notice the secondary door on the right-hand side, allowing these clients the option of greater privacy when leaving, as well.

No more Drive-Thru Animal Hospital

One of the things we're most excited about at the new place is the increased number of parking spaces.

The parking directly in front of the building will be angle-in, making it easier to get in and out. It will also make it tougher to drive through our front window. Some of you will remember the three? four? more? times it happened to us in our current location before the posts went in. Good times. (Drive, reverse. Gas, brake. Left, right. It's a lot to remember.)



There's a spot for a bench right in front of our main window. Won't that be pretty? (Ah, c'mon, use your imagination...)


Here's Dr. Ray looking out through the front window.



Here's what he's looking at.(Imagine a pretty bench instead of the scrap lumber...)

Little bit by little bit...

... the exterior is taking shape. The brick facing is lovely, isn't it?

Floor Plan

For those of you who enjoy deciphering floor plans, take a look. The back wall running along the top of the drawing corresponds to the east side of the building, which backs directly onto the neighbouring townhouse community. The patch of grass on the top left is, you guessed it, our outdoor exercise area.



The reception area runs along the front - notice the beautiful, large curved desk - and the main waiting area will be on the left, near the examination rooms. It's got a divider, in case dog people and cat people want to sit apart. There's even a secondary waiting area on the right side, for those pets need a bit more space. The surgical suite is at the top right, patient wards and radiology along the back, isolation ward nearest the back door and the treatment room in the centre of it all.

Plans, plans... and more plans...

Dr. Ray and our builder, Buzz, pore over electrical plans. (Note the Advil bottle in the top left, the pet clipper in the top right. Yep. That would be the dining room table.)





Want a closer look?