Taking your kid to the doctor VS Taking your dog to the vet

I got that cute post card today from the Vet (time for your dooooogone shots)....Reminding me to bring Jack in for his shots. It's funny, I have 3 dogs and it's tough to keep track of who needs shots. Actually, I also have 3 kids. I don't think I have ever received a note from a clinic reminding me that any of my human children were due for shots. So I pondered the differences between going to the vet and going to the family doctor.


Vet Clinic: Sure, we can get Jack in today for his Rabies shot.


Human Clinic: I am sorry, Gadget Boy can't get a Meningitis Vaccine...He hasn't been here for a year...so he will have to be seen by the doctor...how's a week from Friday? No..Misha...I am sorry he can't just go to public health to get the shot. You have health insurance so you will have to come here. If you were just a little more irresponsible as a parent you could avoid this.



Vet Clinic after hours: This sounds urgent, the on-call vet will meet you at the clinic.


Human Clinic after hours: Yes, this is your clinic but since it is 4:30 we are now doing urgent care. This means nobody has access to your chart and don't ask us to follow the regular protocol for your chronically sick child because we won't believe you.



Vet Clinic Greeting: Smiling receptionist gushes over your dog/cat/rat/lizard who she seems to know by name. She offers a treat and forgives all urinary indiscretions which may occur.


Human Clinic Greeting: Frosted sliding glass window cracks open and sneering receptionist peers out--then shuts it again to gossip about you.



Vet Clinic Decor: Cuddling puppies, kittens, paw prints, educational materials.

Human Clinic Decor: Sign...Sign.. Everywhere a sign. "YOU MUST PAY YOUR CO-PAY OR WE WILL BREAK YOUR KNEES" "WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING YOUR LABWORK TO THE WRONG LAB" "NO FOOD OR DRINK" "TELL US IF YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR AN HOUR" (Because we sure as heck won't notice)


Vet Clinic Diagnoses ear Infection: Vet flushes out ear and puts in drops causing immediate relief. Accepts Jacks doggy kisses of appreciation.

Human Clinic Diagnoses ear infection: Looks like your eardrum has burst Angry-T. Have you considered wearing earplugs to the pool?????? (picture the priceless look on Angry-T's face at the thought of showing up at the pool with earplugs)



Vet Clinic Medication: Here are Jack's medications. They are meat flavored. Give us a call when you need more.

Human Clinic Medication: This medication tastes like battery acid but since Angry T only weighs 79 pounds he will have to take the liquid. It may cause him to overheat, become psychotic and have explosive diarrhea. You will have to drive across town and wait in a long line of geriatric patients with LOTS of questions to pick it up. By the way, it is on the highest tier of your medical plan. Good Luck with That!


Tune in next time: Human Hairdresser VS Dog Groomer

Unbalanced

For a number of reasons I am feeling unbalanced.

I am still reeling from a 5 day trip with Angry T. I have never played so much ping pong (they have a table at the ronald mcdonald house)in my life. His presentation was awesome. I couldn't have spoken to a group of doctors at age 12. He can't get enough of it. He also had a pretty good appointment. His kidney is still swollen, but his function has improved.

My beloved Hawkeyes lost to rival Iowa State.

I haven't had scooter therapy for a few weeks.

And frankly, I can't get used to Sadie being gone. It's not like I don't have the pitter patter of doggie feet. It is just weird. I keep dodging the calls from the humane society telling me her cremains are ready. I imagine it will just make me cry.

King of the Dog Park

Yes, it's true. Jack did FIVE laps at the dog park. No cheating---No shortcuts. There were times he actually PASSED us on the trail. Maybe Sadie provided some divine intervention. First he did a few laps with his neighbor Oakley who made his first trip to the dogpark. Then, he did a few more with his pug cousins. Girl with Phone had my camera, but I swear I will take pictures next time. Jack has been coughing and I may need to take him to the vet. I was cleaning the kitchen and I think he found an old dog treat under the stove and managed to inhale some dog hair along with it. Can dogs get hairballs? He has been coughing ever since. Or he has the same cold that GWP and Tom have. I am busting Angry T out of school tomorrow. He was asked to come to Iowa City and teach medical students (not a bad gig for a 12 year old). And then we stay for his urology appointment on Friday. The other big news is that Gadget Boy turned 21! I tried to buy him his first legal adult beverage....but his buddies took him out on Friday night at midnight and I believe he overindulged. He gets that from his father. I will try to post from the Ronald McDonald House and let you know how Angry T did. Peace.

8/1/91 - 9/6/07

Sadie Mae

THE BIGGEST LOSER

Readers of this blog have informed me that I am a loser. I have failed them by forgetting the reason behind JUST JACK. It was just "supposed" to be for and about JACK. I agree...I have meandered a bit. However, I have news to report. News that will unite young and old. News that will unite the liberals and the conservatives. News that will unite the moral majority and the immoral minority (or vice versa). Move over Kirstie Alley... Step aside Valerie Bertinelli... Game over Oprah.

Jack weighed in this morning.




and the scale read......







drum roll...............

44.5 pounds

That is down from 50 pounds! Jack....you rock. I am sending a testimonial to Iams. You should be their poster beagle for Iams Weight Control Formula.

Out for Lunch with Sadie

Jack is forever the middle child. Sadie takes center stage currently. She is pictured above after having polished off Wendy's chicken nuggets and fries. Sadie is 16 and as I mentioned earlier is on her last legs. However, she had a fabulous day today at the park. We found a level park with lots of trees and she was running around like a puppy. Maybe she is not ready for that last fateful trip to the vet. Or maybe we aren't ready. Ok--Look at how happy she is:

Emergency 911 part 2

You read about the dogtastrophe yesterday. Now the pictures as promised.

My shed after Gadget Boy unleashed his male-rescue-reflex (notice how the door is unnecessarily ripped off its hinges):

Here is the shed floor--he entered from the right, so I can't figure out how he ended up in the middle section:

And here is what he looked like AFTER his bath:

Poor Baby--Someone bake him some dog biscuits---he's had a rough year!

P.S. Who is up for Bloody Mary's this weekend? We may be toasting the long-awaited birth of the neighborhood CHORKIES.