Remember back in the day, October of '06, when North Korea tested its first nuclear weapon, Rep. Mark Foley's come-ons to young male staffers were shaping the final days of the midterm elections, and a woman named Ina sent an email to Harlem Fur telling us not to despair over the nabe's lack of pet services, that she was looking at spaces to rent for a veterinary clinic?

Okay, even we needed some help remembering the last one.

When Harlem Fur received Ina's email, it was filed in a folder specifically for archiving such promises (seriously, there is one). Since the Fur had begun bemoaning a lack of nearby vet services a year ago, nearly 30 emails promising a new pet sheriff in town pilled up, all unfulfilled. So, we had assumed that Ina's promise would be like all the rest.

Harlem Fur is happy to admit being wrong.

D.V.M.'s Ina Obernesser and Mary Mansfield let the Fur know that they have signed a lease, began construction, and are planning to open Uptown Veterinary Associates this summer on 112th St. and Frederick Douglass Blvd. They are determined to be South Harlem's first veterinary clinic, and will offer state-of-the-art diagnostics, surgery, a comprehensive pharmacy, and dentistry.

Ina and Mary have only one question. "Just read your post about Animal General looking for a space in the same neighborhood......any news on that?"

That's it, Harlem Veterinary Race 2007 is on, and Uptown Veterinary Associates just pulled into the lead.

· Uptown Veterinary Associates [Official Site]

· Animal General Looking For Space In South Harlem [Harlem Fur]

· Filling Harlem Vet Void, Petland On 117th St. To Hold Two More Vaccination Days [Harlem Fur]