Dana Couch-Davis

I'm not usually one for posting about other businesses, but I've decided to share a little information with the folks on the Rain.

I'm a dog lover. A big dog lover! I mean, I have a Yorkshire Terrier who is 13 years old, and two Papillon sisters who just turned 3 years old a few months ago. I really do love having them around ... they are constant.

But that's a different post!

I found this wonderful Veterinary Cinic in DC that is just wonderful. It is call City Paws on 14th St NW at T Street. The ladies who are the Vets at the clinic are wonderful. They are loving towards the animals; they speak to the pets with love; they adorn their individual exam rooms with pictures of themselves with their own pets (and even their spouses); and they make it such a wonderful and gentle environment. When you walk in the front door, you don't have the sterile and medical feel like you get in most Vet offices. It is modern, hip and friendly. The staff is caring and greets the owner and the pet respect and love.

Additionally the vets are wonderful about checking on their patients. They also return phone calls in a prompt manner which I appreciate ... even after hours!

On a second note, I can recommend the Friendship Heights Animal Hospital in the Chevy Chase area for anyone who is needing Emergency Veterinary care. About 8 years ago, I came home to find one of my pets ill on the floor. I scooped him up and we jumped in the car and raced at 9PM to the Emergency Hospital for Pets. We walked in the door and the receptionist saw the gravity of the situation and they took Kiwi from my arms and rushed him back to the Emergency area. After a couple of hours the veterinarian had to inform me that he had suffered an irreversible stroke and his quality of life would never be the same again.

At that point I made the difficult decision to put a 14 year companion down. It was tearful with me crying, the doctor being very compassionate, and the Veterinary Tech also being compassionate. They let me spend a few minutes with Kiwi before the time came during which I was able to thank him for the love, companionship, and everything that he gave me for 14 years. I then left and they did their job.

About an hour later the Vet Tech called me to tell me that everything was done and they helped me make arrangements to have him cremated and he now sits on the mantel in my house!

So if you need emergency animal care, go to Friendship Heights Emergency Animal Hospital. For routine animal care, check out City Paws.

Every city that is the state capital has a Capitol Hill area. But in Washington, DC we are thrilled and privileged to have an area that is the legislative seat of power for the entire United States.

Adjacent to the east of the United States Capitol Building is the neighborhoods that make up the Capitol Hill area. They include the Seward Square Area, South Capitol Area, Lincoln Park Neighborhood, North Lincoln Park Neighborhood.

The homes in these area range from quaint 2-3 bedroom rowhouses that are affordable in the market in the $400,000 price range to condos in the $600,000 range to large beautiful mansions on East Capitol Street that go for over $1,000,000 range.

One of the things that I enjoy about Capitol Hill is that there seem to be small parks (maintained by the United States National Park Service, which does an incredible job) in every sector of the Capitol Hill area. Many times these parks have dog parks within them or play areas for the children of the area.

The streets on the Hill are tree lined. They are quaint, cozy, and wonderful. While many people fail to find Capitol Hill to be walkable, it really is a walking community. I have learned that some people consider a neighborhood walkable if you can get to a store easily. I consider a neighborhood walkable if you can walk through the streets and enjoy the sites, the people and have a wonderful day.

If you are in the Washington, DC area check out the Capitol Hill area. One good thing about it is that it is walkable to probably the most power legislative seat of government in the world!