Taking The Dog To The Vet

The Jazz Bus: Taking the Dog to the Vet
How much? That is more than I paid for the delivery and hospital care for my first child. Why do we do this? We become so attached to our pets. Mine is not even a good watchdog. She will bark when you approach the front door but only as a warning that she might lick you to death or break your ankle from the viciousness of her tail wagging against your leg. Holding packages always makes entering the house an adventure as she assumes everything is a gift for her. She’ll wake you up early when she is ready to start her day and let you know immediately when the pangs of hunger hit. Try changing her food to a cheaper brand and she won’t come when called.
Almost 8 years old she has most recently developed a tumor on her underside, a non-threatening “pendulous mass” as the vet calls it. My pup weights just shy of 100 pounds and the hanging mass is quite visible due to its immense size. Having shown no severe swings in her weight the vet said surgery should be routine and non-eventful. So we are getting it done.
We dropped her off at 9 am as required, with no food or water from 10 the previous evening. My dog, when she takes care of her morning ritual, expects some treats. Her look of disappointment today almost broke my heart. Then out came her special red chain, a symbol for a ride in the car. Running around like Brandon Jacobs she got in her seat, and off we headed, to surgery.
The bride and I patiently waited until 3pm to call. Two rings, three rings, WHAT IS WRONG? Finally, ah, only 3 rings, the technician said surgery was successful and we could pick her up at 4:30. Only a short drive and no cars in the lot we were greeted by a receptionist who knew who we were. Funny how they refer to you as a pet’s parents ,but yes we were, proudly I might add. Dr. Glen Roiland, Amityville Animal Hospital’s very fine Veterinarian, greeted us, explained the extent of the surgery and the concern he had during it and for any aftercare while assuring us everything would be alright. He actually kissed my dog when he turned her over to us. He even helped me in the pouring rain get her big drugged out body in the car, which at 100 pounds is no easy task. But it wasn’t over, for me.
Dinner was hand fed by my bride, the dog’s “mother”. Medicine administered the same way. Then we blocked off the kitchen with gates to, added a few throw rugs so she could walk comfortably and safely, and placed her bed near the heater. As she was still bleeding a bit we stayed with her throughout the evening, gathering around the kitchen table watching a small screen TV. Now, the big decision, who was going to sleep by her as she could not make it up the stairs to the second floor where she traditionally snores away the night. Daddy’s turn.
One long night on the couch not far from her, listening to her moan and cry until 4 am, when after a short walk in the rain, she returned to her bed and nodded off. Wish I could have. Instead I wrote this piece. Thank goodness it’s over and she’s okay.jazzbus@gmail.com