Personally, there’s something about a cute, snuggly animal that makes me want to absolve every person of every cast aspersion throughout the history of the world. Multiply that by 14 animals and there’s enough snuggly cuteness to end terrorism, reconcile Brangelina and forgive every bartender who’s made a lousy margarita.
Concierge veterinarian Dr. Jessica Melman (Dr. Jess) of Bespoke Veterinary Services since 2016 has compiled a personal petting zoo of the most darling and alarmingly well-behaved animals this side of a fairytale. Animals who would eat each other in the wild are living in bucolic harmony. The only two mammals who fight are, according to Dr. Jess, “my kids.”
Jessica lives with her young son and daughter in Weston. Her home is surprisingly clean given the number of woodland creatures casually inhabiting her domestic space. Family members include three rescue Cavalier King Charles Spaniels named Fisher, Captain and Lucy; an orange barn cat named Rebel; a velvety rescue bunny named Bubbles, and a potbelly pig that will soon be pushing 100 pounds named Wilma. All in the house. In. The. House. Outside in the barn office are three baby goats named Blanche, Dorothy, and Rose; three baby bunnies named Alvin, Simon & Theodora; and two chickens named Peep and Chirp. Oh, and she has a beta fish named Charlotte and goldfish named Pearl who don’t count because no one wants to hug a fish.
There’s no barking, no fighting. All is serenity save for a series of inelegant and excited grunts from Wilma as I drop animal crackers into her gaping maw. Such zoological equilibrium is a testament to Dr. Jess’s skill and facility in the treatment of her patients.
Dr. Jess shares her love of fur- and feather-frocked friends with her father and grandfather, also veterinarians, and grew up with animals. She was even the proud owner of an iguana in when she was in high school. “I loved him,” she laments but, despite her mother’s best efforts, “he got really big and unruly while I was at college.” I paused to marvel at a woman courageous enough to proffer a bowl of writhing larvae to a large, snarling reptile. Then I remembered iguanas are vegetarian.
Her decision to start a bespoke practice began with her son. “My son had health issues when he was young, I constantly needed to be talking to the pediatrician,” Dr. Jess explains. “One time she wasn’t available and I really, really needed her.” So she called a concierge pediatrician who graciously met her and her son at the hospital at 4:00 on a Saturday afternoon. Inspired by this physician, she decided to do the same for animals. “I love the experience, meeting them in their house, seeing how they live.”
Now, if I were getting a house call from a vet who owned an animal farm I’d expect a croc-shod woman sporting Lands End chinos and a no-iron shirt. Something practical, sturdy, and easily cleaned in case it’s, like, squirted with animal… stuff. I wouldn’t expect a chic woman who pairs scrubs with designer jeans and glitter-slides. But there she is! She admits, “I like Golden Goose sneakers."
After a long day healing dogs and whatnot, Dr. Jess loves to sit in a lawn chair surrounded by her menagerie which, magically and enviably, never ventures from the yard. “Sometimes a hawk circles so I have to bring them [the animals] inside. If hawks were smart they’d swoop instead of circle.” Actually, if hawks were smart they’d give up the attack and move in with her.