I’m going to take a moment to brag about Emily, my wife and love of my life. She is a wonderful and caring person who pours her heart into everything she does, whether it’s her family or her work. Emily loves being a veterinarian; she loves helping animals in need, and she does her absolute best with every case she takes on. There are numerous examples of Emily trying as hard possible to save a life. She has saved countless animals, both farm animals and pets, from a huge array of issues, everything from trouble birthing to trouble breathing. She brought a pig home for the weekend to make sure he got the best care possible (I will never forget Winston). We have four pets in our house right now, and three of them Emily saved from being euthanized. In this post I’m going to tell you the incredible story of how Dr. Emily saved Merlin, Penelope, and Catina.
Merlin is our three legged Saint Bernard. He will be 8 years this coming Valentines Day, and we have had him for all but three days of his life. Merlin’s first hours of life were rough ones. His mother (for an unknown reason) killed most of the puppies in Merlin’s litter. There was only one puppy that was unharmed, most of the puppies died, and Merlin had his leg severely mangled. Merlin’s original owner rushed him to the vet to try and save the leg, and, as luck would have it, that vet was Dr. Emily. Emily tried to save the leg, but the limb was too far gone. After a day it was completely clear that Merlin’s leg needed to be amputated. The owner did not think she could handle dealing with a two day old puppy that had to be bottle fed, and kept away from his mother. The owner elected to euthanize, but Emily couldn’t do it. This puppy still had a lot of life in him, he wasn’t dying, he just needed a lot of work and a lot of love. I’m sure the original owner was ecstatic when Emily offered to adopt Merlin, she didn’t want to put the pup down, she just couldn’t take care of him. The owner gave all rights to Emily, and, just like that, Emily and I had a Saint Bernard. I believe Emily preformed the amputation that day (she said it was like operating on a chicken wing) and Merlin came home at three days old.
Merlin spent the first week or so living in a box (you’ll see this is a common theme for our pets for some reason). Merlin needed to be fed every few hours, and we had to wipe his bottom with a warm clothe to stimulate him to pee and poop. He was good training for Emily and me, we got him in February of 2012 and India was born in September of the same year. As Merlin grew, he had to find a new place to sleep, the box wasn’t cutting in after a few weeks, and he eventually found the bath tub. South Carolina is hot for a Saint Bernard, but the bath tub was nice and cool, plus, we could leave the bathroom door cracked and the room would cool down even more. As Merlin grew, it became clear that he couldn’t walk normally. Unlike most three legged dogs, he had never originally learned how to walk. He wouldn’t stand on his back leg, but instead pulled himself around using a quickly developing upper body. To this day, he doesn’t have much muscle on his rear leg. Emily saw this issue, and, instead of giving up and excepting that this is how Merlin would live, took him to another veterinarian who was a chiropractor and rehabilitation specialist who adjusted him and rented us a cart that supported his hind end with wheels. He hated that cart, but Emily worked tirelessly with Merlin, getting him to put more and more weight on his back leg, and learning how to walk. It took a solid year, but Merlin learned to walk, he can get up on all three legs and get around pretty well (he actually runs after the deer for short bursts). Most people that meet him, don’t realize he’s three legged.
At first, Merlin wasn’t given a chance at life, but now, because of Emily and her great heart, he has lived way past what anyone expected (Emily’s first boss told her Merlin wouldn’t make it to 3 years old). Merlin is about to turn eight, and he’s slowed down but he hasn’t shown any sign of stopping. Emily loves Merlin, and Merlin loves her right back (it’s obvious that Merlin cares for Emily way more than he does for me).
Penelope is the second of our three pets that owes her life to Emily. Penelope came into Pol Vet as an emergency. A good Samaritan, brought her after finding her in the ditch on cold Michigan morning. Emily was the Doctor available and rushed to see the kitten. Penelope’s body temperature was dangerously low and she was already on the way out. The good Samaritan gave up any claim on the kitten and left. Emily could have put the kitten down, and no one would have faulted her, but that’s just not Emily. Emily has a big heart and a great love, and she saved that kitten. It was very intensive and all the staff at the clinic did all they could for the kitten. Warming blankets were put all around her, a heating pad was next to her, anything to get her temperature up. At one point while trying to warm Penelope back to a good body temperature, her heart actually stopped. That kitten died for a few minutes. Emily, through drugs and chest compressions, brought Penelope back from the dead. Penelope came home with Emily that night for close monitoring. I called the kids over to see the kitten, and that’s all it took. Emily blames me for us adopting Penelope. She says that I showed the kids a kitten and you can’t take a kitten away after the kids see it, but I know Emily really just loved Penelope and she was looking for any excuse to adopt her.
Penelope, of course, survived her brush with death and hypothermia, she is, however, an odd cat. She’s not one for petting, she’ll playfully (and sometimes not quite so playfully) attack the hand that dares pet her. One of Penelope’s favorite games is to attack the feet of anyone that walks around the corner she is lurking behind. Penelope will, from time to time, get on the back of the couch and start licking any head she can reach. Social grooming is good, right? Penelope has worked her way into all of our hearts, and she is with us today, because Emily is so loving and caring that she couldn’t take the simple way out, but, instead, worked tirelessly to save Penelope’s life.
The third pet that Emily saved and gave a home to is our loving cat Catina. India named her Catina after a song she learned in kindergarten, “C” is for Catina Cat. Much like Penelope, a good Samaritan found a sickly kitten and brought her to Pol Vet. The good Samaritan didn’t want to keep the sick kitten but she couldn’t just let it suffer. Catina came into the clinic with a horrible upper respiratory infection. Her eyes had ulcerated and were crusted shut. Catina couldn’t have been more than six weeks old, and, for her eyes to be that bad, she must have suffered with that infection for most of her life. Catina stayed at the clinic for couple of weeks. Emily was treating her eyes, giving her antibiotics for the infection, and pain medication. Catina was terrified by everything. She hated the treatment, she hated us, and she was miserable. We kept her at the clinic because that is what she knew, and she seemed somewhat comfortable in her kennel, surrounded by her blankets. Emily would take her out and handle/play with her every chance she could. It was very important to give her positive attention to try and get her to trust us, and Catina slowly learned to trust Emily.
Unfortunately, Catina’s eyes never improved, and they had to be removed. The enucleation went well, Emily performed it of course, but Catina’s trust in us took a hit. After the surgery, Emily took Catina home, and Catina lived in a shallow walled box in our closet. While we were home, Emily would disappear from time to time, and I would find her in our room sitting by the closet door talking to Catina. It took weeks of talking to Catina and lots of bloody scratches and bites before the kitten would even let Emily touch her. Slowly, and through Emily’s great and loving effort, Catina began to trust Emily and then the rest of the family. Emily was the bridge that brought Catina into a life of love and happiness. For the first months of her life Catina had only known pain, but Emily gave her love.
Catina now rules the upstairs part of our house. This blind cat runs around the entire upstairs chasing toys and playing with the kids. We find her jumping on the beds and exploring all sorts of nooks and crannies. Catina is starting to brave the stairs (she’s come down about half way) and, when she does finally come all the way down, Catina and Merlin will properly meet for the first time. Because of his leg, Merlin can’t climb the stairs, and we kept Catina away from the dog to limit her stress when we brought her home. Catina is now this fearless cat that is confident and brave enough to explore and run around the house even though she is blind. And she can do all of this because Emily gave her that confidence and trust to do so.
I knew there was something special about Dr Emily! Her love and compassion for animals was pretty evident from the start. Thank you, Tony for sharing your story with us.
You’re something else Dr. Emily, don’t ever change, your love of pets fills my heart ❤️
We miss having you and your family here in Michigan, but we are happy to see you following your dreams wherever they may take you. Thank you for continuing to share yourself and your family through this blog, I likely speak for countless others who respect you and Tony for the generous people you are and appreciate the time you take to invite us all into your lives.
Thank you, Tony. That was a lovely tribute to a lovely person, your wife and mother of your children. I wonder how a caring vet can ever let any animal go, so this proves they can’t. Emily, we admire you so much. This is why!
We will miss you on tv. We all love your goofy smiles and the way you interact with your patients
Dr Emily is the best ❤️
Yes. We love you, Dr. Emily. So grateful you two decided to help us Pol fans stay in touch with you, via this blog. I respect your decision to re-do your work/family life with your move to Virginia. I know it must be hard still, given your passion for both work and family. Hang in there. You are loved and supported!
Emily is a miracle worker. She is the kind of vet that you want all vets to be. She quickly became my favorite on the show because of how wonderful she was with both the clients and their pets. She makes me acutely miss being a vet assistant, and I’d jump at the chance to be hers, because I know I’d learn so much.
I am so glad that Emily has her twitter account, and decided to start this blog, because I am such a huge fan who believes in her and her hard work on behalf of animals. I love these updates, when I get to hear from her and you (Tony), and I wish nothing but the best for you both and your family.
I miss seeing you and Emily on tv but understand the decision to move. I would have enjoyed having you both as friends . I can only wish you and your family the best of luck and many blessings. Thank you so much for the blog
You are a very lucky guy, Tony. Give Emily a wonderful Valentine’s day, although, when she reads the first sentence of this blog, that may be enough. God bless you all!
You have warmed my heart on this cold winter morning! Not only is Dr Emily a loving, nurturing caregiver, she is teaching your children to have that same compassion. 💕
Awesome … Thanks for sharing Tony… Grandmother from Canada🇨🇦
Best post ever!
What a great post about my favorite vet. I will miss watching her. You have such a great way with words
A very interesting bunch of characters as is Emily.
Awwww…… how awesome!
What a beautiful soul your wife is never change emily you are wonderful.
Great to read all the blogs.
I could see on the program of Dr Pol that it’s love for animals that is her biggest drive.
Great to hear about these 3 fighters and there superhero savior.
Keep up the great work and the blogs please!
Thank you for sharing with us with the heartwarming story of love and perseverance and the love for humans and animals ❤❤🙏🙏
Yes indeed, we do ALL love Emily. I wonder if she is even aware of just how much she means to her followers? I still watch Dr. Pol because I love the show and the staff but she was definitely my very favorite and I miss seeing her. She always put her sole into any animal she was caring for and it showed, ALWAYS!!! Thank you for the excellent post Tony. Give her lots of hugs.
Dr Emily is the best your family is lucky to have you and animals in general are lucky to have you. Dr Emily shows compassion for all her clients and there pets.
I’m one of those people that only knows Dr Emily from watching Dr Pol. That being said, you can tell she genuinely loves her work and cares deeply for her patients. That’s exactly the kind of person you want taking care of your furry family. We love you, Dr Emily!
Constantly giving me faith in this world. Thank you.
Tony is right, we ALL love you Emily! Remember that when you are having a tough day, there are people all over the world rooting for you. Stay yourself, stay awesome. You too Tony!
Tony this is a beautiful tribute to Dr Emily! Emily you are an inspiration as a Vet and as a Mom❤️
Thank you and Emily for caring for and about all creatures great and small. You are a lovely family and we are blessed that you share your thoughts and experiences with us. It is evident from your posts and blogs that your children will grow up in a family filled with love, caring, sharing and humor. ❣️
“While we were home, Emily would disappear from time to time, and I would find her in our room sitting by the closet door talking to Catina.” This reflects the true compassion and love in Emily’s heart. You found your calling and are so gifted at what you do. I can only imagine the stress and pressure you feel to save all of your patients, but that is impossible. Not only did you save these three, you welcomed them into your home with nothing but love, kindness and compassion. And you did the same with Winston the pig, then returned him to his own home when he was well. A heart like yours is rare. Your clients are so fortunate to have you. We all love you and Tony! Thank you for sharing these wonderful parts of your life with us. ❤️
Thank you for sharing about your animals and your amazing wife. Our family absolutely adored her on the show. It was apparent that she put her all into her work and family. Give her lots of hugs from our family in NC, Tony.
Thank you for putting into words how we feel about Dr. Emily! Endearing-Magical-Intuitive -Loving-Yare…(you may need to look that one up but the meaning I was going for is ready, brisk or eager)💕….EMILY.
Thank you for putting into words how we feel about Dr. Emily! Endearing-Magical-Intuitive -Loving-Yare…(you may need to look that one up but the meaning I was going for is ready, brisk or eager)💕….EMILY.
I didn’t realize Merlin is three-legged until maybe a month or two ago, I think.
Dr. Emily is truly a life-saver!
I love watching Dr Emily on Pol Vet !!! Wish they would do a show with her at her new job ! She is so compassionate about her clients . I love this in avet ! Y’all really really need to start writing a book !! I know it would be a hit ❤️ Can’t wait till next blog 😁
Glad you both started this blog. Started watching Dr. Pol show couple years ago when we included the channel in our TV package. Enjoyed today’s post very much, a wonderful tribute.
From Guelph, Ontario, Canada 🙂
PS We have a lovely soft white blanket of snow everywhere that came down during the night. Very tranquil and pretty scene , accented by the blue skies and shining sun. Will the Groundhog see his shadow?
That groundhog tradition always confused me, if the groundhog is facing the sun, is that 6 more weeks of winter?
Simplesmente lindo. Lembro bem da história do Winston e como Dr Emily o salvou.
Dr. Emily was a great vet at Pol’s. I remember the day my dog crawled under my truck to get his favorite ball while I was backing up. I had run over my own dog and was completely traumatized. I called Pols and Emily met me at my truck door. She could see I was clearly upset but she took quick action. She had to tell me he was gone but she did it with such compassion. I had seen her many other times for different check ups and shots. Fast forward to 2017, my senior dog had a lump on his side that we had been told was not anything to worry about. Emily looked at it and said she would like to do a biopsy, much to our surprise it was cancer. She said I want to remove that and so we let her. She did an amazing job, called to provide an update. I could not ask for a better, more caring vet. I miss her treating my animals. Thank you Emily for all you did for me and so many other people here in Michigan! You are truly missed!
Love you for being you, Emily! Miss you but am sending hugs and prayers that the good Lord keep you, your family and those you minister to wherever you are in life. Such a true and tender heart is rare. Bless you, Dr Emily. ❤🐕🐈🐷🐂🐏🐐🥰
You are so very kind and your love just pours from you. The love and compassion you show for your clients is not something taught in school it is who you are! Beautiful loving caring maternal and one special lady! You wear your heart on your sleeve. Take care of you!
Dr. Emily and Tony, you guys are the kindest sweetest people I have ever followed on Facebook. Please Emily keep up the good work that you do. I am old enough to be your mother, but I am so proud of you and Tony. I am disappointed of eventually not seeing you on Pol Vet. I wish there was some way that there could be a show to follow you and Tony. Sometimes being a vet is long hard hours, but you are so lucky to have a wonderful husband on the Homefront. Hang in there girl!
Love these stories!!
Emily is a super hero!
Tony your wife is an amazing women she is smart , brave ,beautiful, a great mom and the best vet . To see her work was bliss I love the way she sutures and how cool under pressure she is you are lucky to work beside your best friend and wife . You remind me of me and my wife we also are inseparable team. Anyway big fan of you both love the blog keep up the great work you both do as professional people and parents …
You are very special Emily. God placed that handsome guy in your class for a good reason.
The Pol Clinic was another plan by Him. You are loved by so many people. Tony, your children, all your followers. Now take some time and love yourself. You are special
What a beautiful tribute to your wife Tony. Emily is such a loving person.
Thanks for your Tony takeovers!!!
My husband and I love reading them. We’ve also grown to love Emily as we watched her on Dr. Pol! Emily, you are a beautiful and beautifully gifted woman and veterinarian. We love what you do and seeing the joy you get and give as you help sick animals and save the lives of others.
Thank you, Emily for sharing your life openly with us. I can relate with your history that you shared in one of your blogs.
God bless you and your beautiful family. We love your fur kids too 😁.
you are a very good person and I’m so happy there is someone like you to help the animals instead of doing the easy thing and just putting them to sleep. Thank You
Amazing stories. I will miss Dr. Emily on The Incredible Dr. Pol, but this blog will let me follow her and that makes me happy.
It’s true… We all love you.
Awesome Tom, Dr. Emily is truly an amazing vet and I have always enjoyed her on Dr. Pol. Thank you for sharing each saga that shines with love and compassion.
God bless you Dr Emily…you are wonderful human being❤️
What a lovely tribute! Thanks for sharing! ❤
My now 12 year granddaughter has wanted to be a vet since she was 3. She wants to be a zoo vet and is already plan her course of studies. When she comes to visit we always have to watch Dr. Pol so she can see Dr. Emily. She says Dr. Emily so inspires her. She would like to know what Dr. Emily’s BA major was and what vet school she went to. There is a vet school in our state she wants to go to but acceptance rate is is 2% so may not get in.
this is Tony, Emily got her bachelor’s in animal science and she went to vet school at University of Georgia. Vet school is really hard to get into, but if you don’t get in the first time, don’t give up, you can reapply next year
Thank you,Tony!
If the above does not let you know how much we love Dr. Emily then let me say this…
It was very clear from the very first we say Dr. Emily on Pol Vet how much love and compassion she has. She exudes love from every breath she breathes. You, Tony, are very blessed to be married to this wonderful woman. Also your children to have her for their mother. We are going to miss her on Pol Vet. So thankful for this blog to keep up with Dr. Emily and your family.
LOVE YOU DR. EMILY!!!💙💙💙💙
We love her, too! Thank you for your loving share about her.
As if I didn’t already love Dr. Emily enough, these stories are so heart-warming and made me respect her so much more. It’s also wonderful to hear how Tony talks about her, with so much admiration. Keep up the blog, guys. Most days it’s just what I need.
What beautiful hearts you both have.
So wonderful to see that Catina has come so far. I followed her story on Dr Emily’s Twitter account.
I loved reading this story. Dr Emily is so kind hearted and compassionate with all animals. I wish there were more people in the world like her. ❤️
Love all your stories. Keep them coming. I remember her taking the pig home that had tetanus. Your a wonderful family glad we can keep up with you guys.
We all love you Dr. Emily!!!
Yes! Dr Emily is loved! I miss watching her, so thankful for reruns! I loved this Story Tony! You have an amazing relationship, I wish y’all much love, happiness and success! God bless your familiy!
Your a very fortunate man.
You are an amazing woman Emily, God has given you skills,compassion and great love for animals and people. I would say you are very blessed.
What a beautiful, heartfelt tribute, Tony. 💛
It is very clear that Emily has followed her vocation with all the right motives. Mainly, her fierce love of animals.
I volunteered for many years with the Humane Society and it was very unsettling to see people surrender their pets for the reasons, such as “a new baby in the house.” Several animals surrendered because of health issues. They were ALL sad, stressed, some angry.
The people that adopted the “special needs” animals were rare and it was always such a joy to see one of those sweethearts finally go into a loving home; some after years of being at the shelter.
Merlin, Penelope and Catin got the best home when she they were recieved into your home. The love in Emily’s heart is revealed by her dedication and protection of your 3 furbabies.
Tony, I think it is wonderful the way you love and honor your wife and find her beautiful both inside and out. That is how a man should love his wife.
I’m glad to know Emily loves animals and her job and has such compassion. I’ve seen some of it on TV, but when you read these things it makes it more real.
Thanks for sharing.
Love learning more and more about the kind heart of Emily. And the fact that her husband appreciates so much about her is a bonus for sure! Both of you, keep up the good work!
And this is the Emily everybody fell in love with on Dr. Pol. She always came across as loving and caring. She is genuine in a world of fake news and camera trickery. So, Tony, it is quite obvious why you fell in love with her! You are truly blessed!
I knew right from the start Emily was going to be a person I looked up to. I loved seeing her on Dr. Pol and will surely miss her. She always seemed to be completely composed in serious situations and could handle anything. You have to have a strong heart to be a vet, heck to be an animal owner, because you can’t save em all. But I am glad that a few pets have encountered the strong heart of Dr. Emily Thomas … 💜
The first time we saw Dr. Emily on Dr. Pol we knew there was something special about her. She oozes confidence, kindness, and a willingness to do what needs to be done in order to tackle the most difficult cases. Thank you Dr. Emily. Thank you Tony and the kiddos for sharing her with us.
Some people are meant to work with animals. Dr. Emily is one of them for sure.
Whatever happened to the beagle you adopted in Michigan?
Seriously the greatest love story. There is no wonder why you love her. Always knew she was sweet, but this story brought tears to my eyes. God Bless you all – whether you’re a believer or not. 🙂
Dr. Emily became my favorite vet on the show because of this …. her live, caring and gentle way around the animals. You could tell that this was more than a “job”. Dr. Emily you do fantastic work and I have no doubt there are animals still with us today because of your efforts .. you never give up. If you loose a patient it’s not due to you not giving it your all to save it … it’s because it’s their time. Sending you lots of love and positive energy 🤗
It was nice to hear the back story of your various pets. Do you still have the beagle who wandered into your hearts when Dr. Emily was on maternity leave with Calvin? Dr. Emily is the best
Dr. Emily is such a great example of a compassionate person, not just for animals but also for people too.
Excellent job bragging about Dr. Emily and your wife and mother of the children. I believe Dr. Emily is an old soul much wisdom and caring for her young age. She is an awesome vet petite in size, but a
tough lady watching her tackle large animals I think I saw her throw a cow over shoulder one episode LOL, and managed to help these large animals feel better.
What a sweet tribute to a beautiful, caring and compassionate woman! I’m so glad to get to know you and your family better through your posts. Dr. Emily is amazing!
Great narrative about your beautiful and caring wife. 🌹
A caring and wonderful Vet. There needs to be more like her.
You are truly two peas in a pod and you love and admiration for your wife is so genuine. I’m sure it’s reciprocated. Your post made me love her even more!
After reading your post, it’s plain to see that you’re both in a solid relationship, built on mutual trust, respect, and real LOVE. You’re an awesome couple.
Dr. Emily,
You have a beautiful heart and a strong spirit. And you have a gem of a husband who loves you so much. I pray for good rest for you. It’s so hard to grab after a long bout of working long hours. Thank you for your care for all creatures, great and small.
Emily you are so real and loving. I’m glad you are enjoying life and your family. Relax enjoy, life is too short. You have proven you are a great veterinarian. The things you use to do on Dr. Pol, the strength, the endurance and in freezing weather. I felt so bad for you when your hands were so cold, but you never gave up.
I don’t know if you would want it, but I would definitely watch a show concerning you. Anyway congratulation on your new venture.
Yes, we all love you Emily! Thank you Tony for sharing the wonderful stories of your pets and Emily’s excllence!
I am truly enjoying your blog!
Emily has very GOOD HEART!
Great photos and history of your fur babies. I would have been the same way as Emily if I had gone into the veterinary life I considered it as I’ve always loved animals. I understand them better than humans 😁 I’m not sure I could have had the strength to endure the heartache that comes with being a Veterinarian. Thank God for people like Emily. ❤️
Tony, thank you for continuing to share adventures of you family and you do it so eloquently! So glad Dr Emily has not disappeared from our lives!
Tony, that was a very loving article to write for Emily. She is very lucky to have a caring and understanding husband.
Dr. Emily you are awesome and I am sure your pets are very grateful for all your care and support.
God bless you and your family.
She is an amazing person with a great heart. Bless her and you Tony. She needs all the love you and the rest of us can give you both.. you can brag about your wife all you want. We love to hear it.
What a beautiful tribute to Dr Emily. I have to say as several others have, that Dr Emily was my favorite vet on Dr Pol. Her compassion radiated through her work, and her witty and funny things she did just added to it. I am so thrilled that you and Dr Emily have invited us in to share in your lives, but just be sure that this doesn’t become a burden when life gets super busy. We love these blogs but we also understand that you have a life as well 😊. Anyway, love you both and your beautiful family. God bless you all!
It’s nice to read an article written about a young mans favorite vet………….and wife………..and mother……….and best friend..
Well done, Tony………….Cheers, Kids
You are dedicated and awesome
Emily
Your the best! We live watching you on the show💖 keep doing what your doing
Emily, you are such an amazing MOM, WIFE, and DVM! You have held down a strenuous job that sucked up all your time and energy and with new born babies to boot that you should never, ever be down on your self. I always thought that I was strong individual when I had a baby as a Jr in HS. I went back to school carrying extra credits to make up for those I lost as a Jr and I worked a full time job to pay for my daughters needs and I graduated right on time with my classmates. But all that was nothing compared to what you’ve lived thru. Personally, I’d love to meet you and shake your hand for being the extraordinary person that you are. Maybe someday I’ll make back down to VA to do just that!
You did a great job with this one Tony!
There’s a lot of love In your family… For one another and your animals! 🥰
We do love Emily! What about that beagle that appeared at your house on the show?
Dr. Emily and Tony…. Your HUGE Hearts are showing… Be P-R-O-U-D!!!!
Thank you, Emily!
Way to go, Tony! It’s good when we husbands take a moment to dote on our wives. And your post easily shows that Emily is quite deserving of your praises.
Dr. Emily, most of us only “know” you through our TV sets, and, now, this blog. But even through media such as these, it is clear that you deeply love your family, and the animals you care for.
Thanks to both of you for being such great examples of caring!
Tony, I loved reading this. It warms my heart to read your words about Emily’s loving heart. You have shown your own heart to be loving, as well, as you have helped with the care for these special needs animals. I love you both. 💛 💜
Tony and Dr Emily, Thank you so much for sharing your stories and experiences with us. Dr. Emily you are obviously a wonderful, caring. compassionate, and loving person not only to your family but to all living creatures.
I also loved watching both of you on tv and learned more about animals than I thought I ever would. Tony you are also a one of a kind husband and father. The loving support you give Emily in her career and to your children in the their everyday lives is beyond words.
Maybe someday the two of you will start your own vet clinic where ever you are and do a show about the everyday life of a small animal vet. It might help the average person realize how much more it takes to be a responsible pet owner. God bless you both and your family.
Been a fan of yours, and just found this! I admire your kind spirit, and can understand your perspective on everything I’ve read on your blog. I feel I’ve had similar experiences in life. I wish you and your family the best!
You are awesome for loving Emily like you do. Emily is just an awesome vet. Live it when a vet saves an animal vs putting it down.
Emily’s name means ‘knowing’ and ‘industrious’, not surprised ! I will add that her ‘acts’ show she also has the gift of unselfish compassion. So glad you have started this blog, as many felt that Dr. Emily would be gone from our lives. She is life giving and clearly loved. I still hope that her passion and manner of being industrious will also bring her to work with horses as a primary career! Feed her horse only animal cookies!
Dr Emily, you are the vet ALL pet owners hope to meet when we are concerned about our furry-family-members’ well being. In a perfect world you would be better compensated and better rested, but thank God for you!
Great post Tony! Love that you did not sugarcoat the family rescues… it is not easy and does not always yield immediate results or purely positive results but is so important !!
What a wonderful story about Emily and her love for animals. No surprise though. Thanks for sharing Tony. Emily we love you, Tony and your family. I look forward to reading your blog. Please keep up the great stories.
I knew I was drawn to her the min I saw her on TV. Then with her tweets. Not to sound creepy, but I always thought, if we knew each other, we would be friends, only due to her and I have a lot in common, the love for animals, the funny stories, she tells about the kids(my 3 are almost grown now, but I swear, almost exactly the same thing) , but reading how she’s saved these fur babies, now I KNOW, we would have been friends. I’m not a vet (I wanted to be) but I did save every animal I could when I was younger and as an adult, Iv had some that I found out had serious crap but chose to do whatever it took to care for them anyways and not put them down, so I also have some special needs fur babies. Your stories just make her more a hero in my eyes then she was before!! Thank you Tony 😊
That was so sweet Tony! Emily is just as lucky to have you as you are to have her! Emily, I am so inspired by your kindness to animals. I would trust my pets in your hands without any hesitation. Thanks again for a great read. I look forward to each new post. 💕
How can anyone not love Dr. Emily!? The fact that you are a veterinarian shows how much you love animals. Tony just proves that in this blog post.
I would feel honored to meet you someday. Miss you on TV. Scratch for all your furbabies!
Tony, love hearing about your and Emilys fur babies. Thank you for sharing 😊 This shows what you and all of us have known all along, that Emily has a huge heart and gift for empathy, and also that Dr Emily has amazing skills and a wonderful dedication to the animals she treats. I was wondering if you could let us know what happened to the beagle mix named Norman that wandered into your yard while Emily was on maternity leave. Is that pup still with you? Love to both of you, Carol
I could not love this more! I had such great love for your beautiful wife thanks to a certain TV show, and have even more now that I found This Little Light and started learning more about your family. The stories of Merlin, Penelope and Catina are wonderful, and much like some of the rescues my husband and I have saved over the years. I can’t even tell you how many times we’ve said, “This is it, the last one”, and how many more we’ve taken in after that. Emily is a very special person for her love of animals, and her love for her family. I was so moved by a picture of her working a puzzle with India, and the one you posted today, Emily with all three kids around her on the sofa. #parentsdoingitright I’m so sorry that she had to go through what she did to become healthy and happy again, and want her to know she is loved and supported by so many now and will be throughout her life. We care, about Emily and your entire family. Love and good wishes to all of you, Karen
How can I possibly express what joy, love and respect for you I have as a stranger who has been given this window into your life? It may be therapeutic for you, but how generous! You are truly a gift from God.
I watched the show many times of Dr Emily with the baby pig. She is amazing. Do you still have the Mini white horse as I remember on one of the shows Dr Emily and one of your children were in a cart that she was pulling
Aww. It must be so hard not to take home more animals. I wouldn’t be able to handle that. You’re all so amazing.
Priceless ❤️
Priceless ❤️ Family
My favorite show ever is the Incredible Doctor Pol and Dr. Emily Thomas was my favorite , then Tony when you joined I looked so forward watching you interact with your wife, and the others. You and she were just so good together. I watch the reruns over and over you always miss something and knowing I will see Dr. Emily and you is a little consolation that you both are gone from the Dr. Pol show. I understand you both had to put your family and yourselves first so enjoy your new life and know you really are loved. Maybe one day we will see you on your own show. Keep up the blog we/I love it. Thanks Tony for sharing this special “tribute” to your wife.
Thanks Tony for sharing! As my family will share I also am one of THOSE people!! My house is full of creatures (now my kids!) that neighbors, church folks, and yes , even the kind hearted Vet knows I am an easy touch! I’m not complaining!! I am am blessed with love from each and everyone of them. They make me laugh when I’m down and cry when I have to bury one! Thanks Dr. Emily for CARING too!!
Wow Emily you are amazing. You have a daughter that looks just like you and your youngest son is Tony. Your middle son looks like a great combination of both of you. Don’t burn yourself out at work. I know that is easy for me to say and I get it but we want you saving animals for a long long time. I love the picture of you snuggling with your kids.❤️
I often think of Winston, with pureed peas smeared all around his mouth. The poor thing was in so much pain. Emily did a remarkable, patient, caring job with him. He was so lucky that she was the one to help him.
I’m not crying, you are!
What a beautiful story about a beautiful soul ..
You are such a loving couple! Emily is someone I loved watching her on Dr Pol. Loved her dry sense of humor & her loving attitude towards all the animals & people she came in contact with. You are both lovely people. God bless you & your family.
We knew Emily was special but THANK YOU TONY for showing us even more what a wonderful person she is. Blessings to you both and your beautiful family (human and petkids)
Dr Emily,
Your soul is pure love! All of the furbabies you have helped are innumerable. Thank you for being a compassionate, loving person to not only your family…but to all God’s creatures.
I can only say One thing Dr Emily
YOUR. WONDERFUL
My family will miss you, Enjoy your life to it’s fullest.
Great story. Finally got around to reading it.
As Pol fans we will miss seeing you and your talent on tv. Glad you are in Va now- its a great place to raise a family- and getting that balance you desire. Enjoy the mountains, ocean, history and beauty of our state. So glad I can still see what’s up with doc Emily!