Monday, June 29, 2020

Milliron Monday: Bus Stop 6 29 2020


Photo from the Smith family archives. 
Pat and Jessica getting on the school bus (c). 

Abbott "Pete" Smith, D.V.M.
June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

"It's all fun and games until someone throws a shoe."  - Unkown Farrier

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Pete Smith, D.V.M., and  Milliron: Abbott “Pete” Smith, D.V.M. The Biography (Monday Creek Publishing 2017). A graduate of Colorado State University and a well-known veterinarian in southeast Ohio, Dr. Smith continues to motivate and inspire. 

Dr. Smith’s Milliron Clinic was situated just below the Milliron farmhouse. The Milliron kids walked from the farmhouse, past the Clinic, over the cattle guard, to the bus stop. Pat, in his tweens, standing at the bus stop, thinking about his school day, was (probably) surprised to see family friend Fritz pull along the berm. “Want to go with me today?” Fritz asks Pat. An unexpected invitation, grinning, and without much ado, Pat hops in. Fritz, on his way to his next farrier appointment, is glad to have company through the windy roads of southeastern Ohio.

Fritz, a well-known local farrier, has many stops to make that day. He has known Pat for a long time and knows that Dr. Smith and Jody would not disapprove of the serendipitous event. Traveling to stables and farms, the day is filled with the smell of horses, country living, and more horses. Watching the clock, Fritz knows that Pat must be back at the bus stop on time.

Pat, filled with a day of farrier activities, is wore out. Stepping out of Fritz’s vehicle, Pat waves goodbye and walks the driveway to the Milliron farmhouse.

Many years later, Jody learned of Pat’s farrier field trip with Fritz. Knowing Fritz as a good family man and friend, Jody laughs and said she had no clue Pat was not in school. Pat, no worse for the wear, smiles and keeps his memories close.

Have a great week ahead.


Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

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