In the IT “business”, we deal with the value-added reseller (value-addled) or VAR, but I believe that the esteemed profession of veterinarian is heading down that same shaky road. A long time ago, the vet took care of animals. Our dog got hit by a train and needed his leg put in a splint; no problem. Our puppy needed his “shots”; no problem. Times have changed.
posted in economy, pets | Comments Off on Vet or VAR | 368 words
One of life’s little pleasures comes from watching a puppy “grow up”. The whole childhood is compressed into a series of a few weeks, so the change is rapid. Take, for example, our little baby shark. The needle teeth have already started to fall out (thank goodness) and my arms will eventually heal. The original scale-tipping at fifteen pounds has gone to twenty-six pounds in a matter of fourteen days; a quick mathematical analysis shows that the eight pounds of puppy chow is doing REALLY WELL, unless there is a hidden food source (kids??) that is giving us value-added.
posted in pets | Comments Off on Weight gain | 174 words
Back when the first dog came to live with us, we went through a period known as house-breaking, where the whole family learned a new set of life skills. Close the door, always. Keep the toilet seat in a closed position. Close the garbage door and the refrigerator. Don’t leave stuff lying around. In short, we became model citizens of living in the house, because the small beige fellow never forgot his role. Well folks, the good times are back. The new white baby, curious as she is and always in stealth mode, means that the old rules apply once again. If not, she will cut her new teeth at our expense. Dogs do make us behave better, people.
posted in pets | Comments Off on Remembering how it used to be | 119 words
Today was my first visit to the “pound” as it was called when I was younger. A refuge, according to the sign on the door, where for a fee, one could adopt a new family member. Then, the trip out back, with stern warnings to wash (actually, spread a gelatinous cream) between touchy-feelie sessions. There they are; the orphans, all being as polite (and noisy) as possible, in hopes of getting a better accommodation and meal plan. The poor one that “hurls” when left outside. The one that tends to play beaver around a house. The one that looks ready to head on down the road at the first opportunity. The one that wants to play kissy with everyone (strange behaviour; guess mother didn’t discuss how to deal with strangers).
posted in pets | Comments Off on New pup on the block | 208 words
In today’s international press, an article stated that this is the most depressing date of the year. Lack of sunlight, bills from the holiday season, an election (here in Canada), lack of resolve for those who formulated intents for the new year. And we had to make the choice to have our dog put down.
We awoke this morning to a sick dog, with signs of blood at both ends. The trip to the emergency clinic took place, and by mid-afternoon the expertise of veterinary science informed us that the dog had a malfunctioning immune system; insufficient white-blood corpuscles.
posted in media, pets | Comments Off on Sunday blooded day | 141 words
The dog that lives with us has a cave. No, really.
It could be said that illusions are as to reality as my kitchen table is to caverns. The dog fails to notice that the grotto has no walls. Any time there is a threat; someone cutting paw-claws or swabbing floppy ears, off to the Batcave, Batty dog. Here’s a picture…
posted in pets | Comments Off on Wish I had a cave, some days… | 95 words
