Kim's story

I think that all of us sisters have our fair share of stories of people's reactions when they learn that our Dad is named Santa.  It's always fun to answer questions like "Well, who would do that to him?  Ha, ha, ha", or "That must have been fun for you growing up!"  But, I want to share an example or two of how the name Claus alone brightens people's day and brings joy.  The name alone...the simple idea or suggestion that our last name MIGHT be associated with Santa!   Then, if/when they find out that my Dad's name is actually Santa, well, that's a whole other level of joy, happiness, and sometimes hope.  

Kids especially love it!  I've had so many kids hear my name and get all wide eyed and excited (or nervous in some cases when they're being naughty in an exam room. LOL)You may or may not realize this, but the people whose pets I care for are not always happy to meet me.  They're stressed, they scared, and they don't necessarily want to talk about anything but the pet.  But time and time again, when I introduce myself by saying, "Hello, I'm Dr. Claus", people ask me one of two things:  1) "Claws, like **insert spicy cat sound**?"  And, if in-person, they'll raise a hand like a paw with claws out, or 2) "Oh, how fitting" (and I know they mean because they also think my name is Claws). Whoever heard of the last name Claws, by the way??  But, somehow, some way, it's more plausible to people that our actual name.  By the way, only a handful of people have ever presumed that my last name was actually Claus before seeing it in print or me telling them. Years ago, I learned that when clients ask for my name again, after hearing it a first time, it's best to say "it's Claus, like Santa".  They all get that. Most people say something cute or chuckle, and some will say "Oh, even better!"  I can hear a change in their voice/tone, and in their intensity.  I swear, I can't explain it, but, I think some people have an immediate comfort level with me as their pet's doctor.  It somehow relaxes them, I presume because it brings positive memories and feelings of happiness.

The one story that really stands out in my mind, because it's the first time that I can recall a client ever saying something like this, is a case that I actually can't recall many details of the pet itself, or exact illness.  I know it was a smaller dog, and I know it was very sick, and might not make it.  For perspective, this was shortly after veterinary specialty hospitals re-opened the doors for clients to come inside.  This took longer than other businesses because we were already busy and so short-handed that no one wanted to take the risk of their entire staff going down. Anyways, it was around Christmas, and this family came to see their pet and talk to me daily.  We got friendly, they asked about my name, we talked about Dad, we discussed Christmas plans, etc.  This dog got better and better, day by day, and I finally told them confidently that I was going to be able to get the dog home with them for Christmas.  On this day, the Mom and her teenaged daughter were there and they both just started crying.  Then mom said, while looking from me to her daughter and back "I knew it.  As soon as we learned your name and that you dad was Santa,  I told my daughter, I knew you were going to be our Christmas miracle.  I knew you'd get Princess Fluffy Sparklepants home to us".  And the daughter, all red faced and tears falling, nodded her head in agreement.  I'll never forget it, because it sounded so ridiculous and hyperbolic at the time.  I teared up anyways, which I don't often do, because the emotion they were sharing with me was so pure, so raw, and so special. This situation, of course, had nothing to do with me.  It had to do with the feeling of hope that Santa evokes at Christmas, the excitement that you feel when you think about what Christmas morning will look like, and who you will be sharing it with.  Basically, they believed in Santa!  I think that, even when you logically know that "there's no Santa", learning that there's a good dude out there that looks like Santa and shares a name with the "real Santa", well, it somehow makes people believe that anything is possible, even Christmas miracles.  

Kimberly Claus, DVM, DACVECC(She/her/hers)