Pet Stories & Gallery

Emmy Chapin and her pet lion, Eddie

Learn about Dr. Pat Mahoney and his staff's special relationship with Emmy and Eddie.


Emmy was a long-time client of American Animal Hospital before a decline in her health required that she move to an assisted living facility. Because Emmy's pets had passed away earlier, we thought we would no longer be seeing Emmy and wished her well.

Imagine our surprise in 2004 when Emmy's new caretaker, Charlotte at the VNA, called to tell us she would be bringing Emmy and her new dog Eddie in for an exam. What Charlotte told us next, though, was the real surprise. She explained that Emmy's new dog was not a "real" dog at all, except in Emmy's mind. Eddie is actually a stuffed animal - the lion from The Lion King.

We happily agreed to see Emmy and Eddie and when the day of Eddie's first exam arrived, Emmy proudly introduced us to him. She explained that Eddie had arrived from Europe - thin, weak and sad. Now, though, she said that Eddie is happy and a great dog. He never barks, he eats twice a day and his elimination "evaporates."

For the past two years, Emmy and Eddie have visited AAH many times and have received the care and attention that all clients and their pets enjoy. Eddie has been checked for rabies, had his ears examined, his teeth cleaned and his eyes checked. Dr. Pat reports that Eddie's heart is as good as ever.

Eddie loves the staff at AAH and is especially attached to Joy, the cat who lives at the clinic. Emmy writes, "Thank you, Dr. Mahoney, for carefully checking over Eddie. It is such a relief to know that he is doing so well."

At the end of each appointment, Emmy insists on paying us. We take her imaginary payment in exchange for the imaginary services. Even though the payment is imaginary, we are indeed richer because of the experience.