The Three of Us

A while back, I wasn’t feeling well.  My stomach was upset, and I was tired.  I wasn’t going into the kitchen when it was feeding time.  Most of all, I didn’t even feel like bugging Sambuca to play with me and that says a lot!  This lasted for a bit.

“Oh little Appy, what’s wrong?” My mom, Tanya, picked me and put me on her lap.  We were in her office.  “You haven’t been yourself lately.”

I looked at her with my tired eyes. Me don’t feel good.

“I think we need to book an appointment with the vet.”

What is the vet?

Sambuca was lying in the dog bed underneath the desk and winked at me, Oh this will be fun for you.  Hee hee.

The next morning, Tanya puts our dog coats on and we went in the car.  Youppie!!! We are going on an adventure!!

Sambuca chuckled under her breath. Nope, we’re not!

I corrected her. Yes, yes!  We are in the car and when we go in the car, it means a walk in the park or visit to the ocean. 

The ride wasn’t very long, and the car stopped in front of a building.  I looked at the sign. It spelled out W-E-S-T A-N-I-M-A-L H-O-S-P-I-T-A-L.

Hmmmmm. I wonder what that means. This place feels familiar. I think I’ve been here before.

Tanya let us out of the car and we went inside.

Sambuca and I sniffed around.  It smelled funny.  Lots of dogs before us came here and there was a distinct scent of cat.

A woman behind the desk greeted us, “Good morning. And who are these two beauties?”

I give her a firm look.  Don’t you know who we are? I am Super Pup!!!  But you may call me by my given name, Apothic Red Nelly Maier. This is my big sister, Sambuca Di Amore Maier.

“Hi, I’m here with Appy and Sambuca but the appointment is for Appy to see Dr. Jane.”  Dr. Jane?? I vaguely remember this human.  When I was younger, she would stick needles in me.

Sambuca was right after all.  Darn, I hate when that happens.  Time to get out of here! I make a bee line for the front door.

Tanya pulls me back with the leash.  “Appy, stop.  You haven’t been yourself and I want the doctor to look at you.”

I’m feeling fine, in fact, great now, mamma. I’m outta here.  I look towards Sambuca for support.  She shakes her head, Not going to happen.

Help!  Help, someone, help!  Anyone!

Then another door opens and a woman in a white coat is standing in the doorway.  Yes!!!  Hey, you.  Help me.  Can you open the front door of this joint so I can leave?

“This must be Appy.  I’m Doctor Jane.  Come in.” 

I know this voice. No. No. Nooooo.  I remember you now, lady. 

My mom picks me up and we go inside the room.  Dr. Jane asks, “So, what’s been going on?

“Appy hasn’t been herself the past few days.  She’s usually right in the kitchen when it’s time for breakfast or supper, but she hasn’t been doing that.  She is usually a lot more playful and egging on Sambuca.”

This is a mistake lady.  Get me off this table right this minute!

Dr. Jane proceeds to examines me, feeling me all over.  Hey, be gentle!  She places a cold thing underneath me.  “Heart and lungs sound good.”  She checks my ears and eyes with another device.  Then her hands are in my mouth, “Nice teeth, Appy.”

Flattery will get you nowhere.  “Let’s see if she has a fever.”  Dr. Jane pulls out something and continues, “I have to use a rectal thermometer.”

Tanya’s expression changes and she pulls me close, “Really?”

“Yes, it’s the gold standard.  Don’t worry, it will be fast.”

This thing is a gold standard? It doesn’t look like gold.

Next thing I know, there is something up my butt. OUCH!!! My life passed before my eyes. The pain was excruciating. It seemed to go on for hours. I was being abused!

“All done. I told you it would only take a second.” She looks at the result, “No fever.”

I give her a stern gaze. Listen Jane, had you asked me directly if I had a fever, I could have told you no. Shouldn’t you have at least bought me supper first?

My eyes start to water.  I look at Tanya. Please, please, get me out of here.

“We could do blood work.”  Dr. Jane suggests.

Tanya looks at me.  “It’s okay, Appy.  No. Let’s hold off.” 

Thank God.  I’ve been through enough.

“Well nothing obvious.  Keep a close eye on her next few days and you can always bring in a urine sample or we move forward with blood work.” Dr. Jane tells Tanya.

Lesson learned. As soon as we get home, I start playing with our toys and bothering my sister.  Happy faces from now on unless I really am sick.

“Oh Appy, are you feeling better?” Tanya bends down and grabs the grinch out of my mouth.  She throws it and I go get it and bring it back.  My tail is wagging, and I am alert.  Sambuca jumps off the couch to join us.

Yes, momma.  Me better. There is no way I want to go back to Dr. Jane and experience the golden standard again.