The above sign was so offensive to someone driving by our hospital that they immediately called (anonymously of course) to tell us they were extremely offended that I (or more accurately a sign) had called them obese. My kind staff not wanting to offend anyone else raced to remove the offensive message. It left me wondering, out of all of the people that drive this busy road, who thought I was speaking directly to them? As I have advised my children over the years, “not everything is about you!” If you routinely read our sign, why wouldn’t you ask yourself, where is the “weighted” joke?

I have owned Valencia Animal Clinic for 26 years, for almost 20 of those years I have had the above sign. My staff and myself love to make people laugh, educate or inspire. We brainstorm constantly about what to put on the sign. Often we use themes, for instance the month of October is known annually as Pet Obesity Awareness Month.

“Show us your kitties”, “Best cavity search in town”, “Free belly rubs”, and “We shiatzu not” are some of my favorites over the years. None of these received any complaints. Keep scrolling, keep driving, or maybe read the other side of the sign? We really need to lighten up people (now that is funny!) Sometimes, the biggest issue may not be what is written on the sign but the “weight” we choose to give it.

Current sign is guaranteed not to offend!?