Emily with her dog, Bond (© Emily Renton)
Curious minds always ask the best questions - and the pupils at William Leech School certainly didn’t disappoint! We like to get involved in the local community, and we love to share how we help pets in Amble to feel better, so we invited local schoolchildren to send us the questions they’ve always wanted to ask a vet. From favourite parts of the job to why cats land on their feet, their questions were thoughtful, funny, and very imaginative.
Our vet, Emily Renton, took time to answer some of the questions, sharing her experience and insight into life as a veterinary professional. And for a bit of fun, we finished by turning the tables - Emily asked her own dog, Bond, a few questions too!
Here are the brilliant questions from the children - and Emily’s expert (and occasionally very honest!) answers.
Q&A with Emily Renton, Clinical Director and Partner at Coquet Vets
Q: What is your favourite thing about your job?
Emily: It sounds cliché, but I genuinely love the animals. Being able to make a sick animal better gives me great job satisfaction.
Q: Do vets get homework?
Emily: In a way, yes! If we have a complicated case, we’ll often go home and research or speak to colleagues about it. We are never really “off duty” either - friends and family always check with us first before going to a vet.
Q: Why did you want to be a vet?
Emily: I knew I wanted to be a vet from 9 years of age. I wanted a practical job working with animals, and I enjoyed learning, so it felt like the obvious choice.
Q: What is your greatest achievement?
Emily: There are a few - becoming a vet, climbing Kilimanjaro, and having two gorgeous children (in that order!).
Q: Is picking poo up fun?
Emily: Not when it’s Bond’s… it’s like a horse poo but way smellier.
Q: Why do horses need fly spray?
Emily: Flies love to bite horses. Fly bites hurt, so we use sprays to stop the flies biting.
Q: Why is my dog so lazy?
Emily: Probably due to their breed - many dog breeds are naturally lazier than others.
Q: How do you stop a cat scratching you?
Emily: We learn to read cats’ body language. This helps us tell when a cat is likely to scratch or bite. We may use towels or blankets to cover their paws or sedatives if they are very angry.
Q: Why do lizards stare at you?
Emily: I imagine they are trying to work out who - or what - you are!
Q: Why do cats land on their feet?
Emily: Cats are extremely agile. Their excellent sense of balance allows them to land on their feet when they fall.
Q: Why do horses bite their stable?
Emily: This behaviour is known as a “vice”. It’s a bad habit (a bit like humans biting their nails) and is often brought on by boredom.
Q: Have you ever been bitten by a Vet?
Emily: Nope!
Q: What do snakes eat?
Emily: Snakes are carnivores. They like to eat rodents, birds, eggs, frogs, fish, insects, and lizards.
Q: Why is my dog’s breath so smelly?
Emily: Nine times out of ten, this is due to dental disease.
Emily’s dog, Bond (© Emily Renton)
And Now… Emily’s Questions for Her Dog, Bond!
Q: What is your favourite thing in life?
Bond: Without a doubt - food!
Q: Who is your best friend?
Bond: I have a few friends, but my oldest and most favourite is Winston the Cocker Spaniel. Unfortunately, he finds me annoying.
Q: What are you most scared of?
Bond: The hoover and the mop. One time, the mop fell and hit my leg. I still worry about it - sometimes I lose sleep thinking it might happen again.
Q: What is your greatest achievement?
Bond: My mum asked me to give blood once to help another dog. I didn’t mind - and I got extra food afterwards! Oh, and once I walked past the mop without running. I was very brave that day.
We loved reading these thoughtful and funny questions from the pupils at William Leech School. Thank you to everyone who took part - and to Emily and Bond for such honest answers! If your child has a question about animals or veterinary care, we’d be delighted to hear from you next time.
