2 dogs, 2 vets, 2 surgeries.

2 dogs, 2 vets, 2 surgeries.  That was the plan for today, with full expectation of having both my girls back home with me by evening, groggy and, possibly, grumpy, but home.

Best laid plans ...

I took the day off work so I could handle the logistics of 2 vets and 2 drop off and pickup times.  Peanut was dropped off first at 7:30.  She has a broken molar on one side and a cracked tooth on the other that were going to be extracted.  But, because she has a heart murmur, they planned to do a chest x-ray before giving her any anesthesia.  The look she gave me when I left her tore at my heart. 

While there I picked up Angel's x-rays of her left rear knee.  Her appointment was at 9:30.  She has a torn ACL, like a footballer's injury.  It isn't healing after 2 months and she barely puts that foot on the ground despite 2 months of pain pills and anti-inflammatories.  We got to the specialist at 9.  I filled out papers while Angel made the acquaintance of a heeler mix called Sony, with a leftover bump from a bee sting.

After the nurse took down all of Angel's information, but before the doctor came in, I got a call from the first vet.  The x-rays showed that Peanut's heart is enlarged and they don't want to put her under without the okay of a cardiologist. I tell the vet I will make an appointment and will pick up Peanut as soon as I am finished with Angel. Fortunately, the cardiologist is in the same location I am at right now. 

The consultation with the surgeon was both comforting and disturbing.  Comforting in that she doesn't expect me to cage Angel.  I don't have a cage.  And in the fact that she says most dogs gain back full use of their leg in only a couple months.  Disturbing in that it was almost twice the cost I was expecting.  Ouch. 

I look at my sweet girl and know that I can't not have it fixed.  She is only 3.  She deserves the chance at a happy, healthy life.  I sigh and agree.  Then learn that she will have to spend the night.  This is a momentary concern because I need to go into work tomorrow, but they are happy to keep her until 4.  And maybe the extra day immobile will be good for the knee.

I make the financial arrangements and she is dragged away from me, my heart breaking again.  Then I make an appointment with the cardiologist for Peanut. 

Back to the first vet to pick up Peanut.  They give me her x-rays now for the cardiology appointment so I don't have to remember to come back.  Peanut and I get home and she looks all over the house for Angel.

The house is quiet, too quiet.  Angel is a large presence and always nearby.  It is going to be a long 28 hours until I get her back.

Random thoughts

I have been having problems thinking of worthy topics for my blog.  I pressured myself with the expectation that each blog should be long, clever, and thought provoking. 

Then I remembered the topic of my blog - Random thoughts, memories, and observations.  Random thoughts just have to be random, not long. 

So here are some of the random thoughts I've had over the past couple weeks:

I love The Smithsonian magazine.  I learn all kinds of interesting tidbits that I would never have thought to research on my own.  Recently I read about Mayan ruins in Guatemala (I always thought they were in Mexico), the devastation of the Japanese earthquake – in 1923, innovations in cancer treatment, puffins being lured back to Maine, Shakespeare forger (William-Henry Ireland), and Upper Peninsula Michigan. I had never even heard of the Soo Locks, which are third in the world after Panama and the Suez canals.  The Smithsonian and Mental Floss help me feel smart. 

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How do people afford to raise children?  My dogs cost me a fortune in food, treats, toys, and veterinarian bills.  So how do people afford to have kids?  Or kids and dogs both? Angel injured the ACL in her left rear leg.  The medication alone cost 90 cents per pill.  And the first 2 weeks she was taking 11 a day!

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I haven't watched American Idol since season 3.  I watched this season to see how Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez were as judges.  Once lured, I ended up staying for the whole season.  I take comfort in the knowledge that many of the finalists will end up with recording contracts even if they don't win.  And I got lured into Dancing with the Stars by the inclusion of Kirstie Alley.  It appears I am an easy mark for the musical competitions. 

I have to go now.  Angel is whining for attention.