'Not just about me': Veterinarian leaves Saratoga after three years of service

Moving to California may have been easier for Bob Merlo, considering his situation.

His doctors are there. His cancer treatments are available there. His son and family are there.

But Merlo didn’t want to leave the community high and dry without a veterinarian to take over, he said.

“It’s not just about me,” Merlo said. “I have established relationships with people here and those are meaningful. You don’t just get up and leave those kinds of things.”

After more than a year searching for a replacement to fill Saratoga’s veterinarian needs, Merlo is moving to California to be with his 17-year-ol...