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Tragic event gives rise to urgent care for pets By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Jason Virdi remembers a sense of dread in the backseat of an Uber as he and his wife rushed their dog Ruby to the vet. The couple was desperate. An aspiration during a surgery had led to a dangerous lung infection. It was the latest crisis in a string of cascading health issues that began with a surgery complication from a routine spay. Virdi, who worked in finance at the time, said his mind defaulted to problemsolving. He questioned whether the driver was going fast enough or whether they would be delayed by construction. His wife Elizabeth Ruocco was distraught. At the hospital, a team of veterinary professionals leaped into action, putting Ruby on oxygen and getting her the emergency care she needed. “Once we got her there, I felt a lot better,” Virdi said.
Despite the excellent care, Ruby’s condition did not improve. She died about 24 hours later. The tragedy hit hard but spurred Virdi into action. In April, he opened Ruby Veterinary Urgent Care with the help of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Melissa Ehrlich. “I wanted to memorialize Ruby in a way that was more meaningful,” Virdi said. Ruby Veterinary Urgent Care, 10710 State Bridge Road, specializes in a kind of care that is in short supply, treating cats and dogs suffering from many of the most common ailments. As an urgent care hospital, the clinic offers top tier expertise and equipment to give owners peace of mind and animals same-day relief for acute issues. It also helps alleviate the burden on veterinary emergency centers, which prioritize life saving care.
See RUBY, Page 6
JASON VIRDI/PROVIDED
Ruby Veterinary Urgent Care owner Jason Virdi and his wife Elizabeth Ruocco hold their dog Ruby in 2021
Johns Creek eases tree removal rules for residents By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek City Council approved a change the city says will streamline tree removal for residents.
At a July 28 meeting, council members unanimously approved an amendment to the tree preservation ordinance to allow removal of some trees without a removal permit. Trees cannot be in a protected zone and must be in immediate danger of falling on the home.
The changes apply to trees at singlefamily residential properties. City staff researched tree ordinances in neighboring communities in proposing the changes. Specimen tree sizes also increased with large hardwoods and softwoods
qualifying for the designation with a diameter-at-breast height of 31 inches. Small native flowering trees are increased to 12 inches. Pine trees of any size no longer qualify as specimen trees.
See TREE, Page 20
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