Thursday, July 24, 2008

It's FRANKEN-dog!


Hello, everyone! Welcome! C’mon in and get comfy. Don’t mind the mess…our cleaning lady had a bit of an accident so she’s been off for about a month. We’re picking up the slack, but not as well as she does! I *did* manage to do the dishes, so if you wander into the kitchen for a snack, there is nothing in the sink. Also, I made sure to stock the fridge, so feel free to grab a bite. Stay as long as you like. As I said, I did some cleaning so you’re welcome to wander ALL around the place. Oh - and feel free to turn off the music so you can read in peace. Or, if you're an 80s fan like me, turn it up!


Ok, ok. So I'm officially in the running for Worst Pet Caregiver in the Universe. *sigh* BUT...it's not entirely my fault (or so I will continue to believe)!

As you may already know, The Dog had some minor surgery two weeks ago. All went well and when the vet called, she said the stitches should come out in about 10 days. Today is the 10th day. SO...I decided to save myself the $23+ for the office visit and remove the stitches myself. No biggie...I've done it with The Girl. Easy Peasy...or so I thought!

The first set of stitches were on The Dog's hip. I took them out yesterday and all went well. I waited another day for the ones on her head...just in case. This afternoon, I took them out. They came out pretty easily and all looked great. I took The Girl to gymnastics. When I got home, The Husband was home. He said nothing about The Dog. Then, The Dog came in the office. The Boy screamed "OMG, GROSS!" and proceeded to act as though he was about to vomit. (He's a bit of a drama queen.) We look at The Dog and see she has split the top of her head back open.



Blech! SO...we do what normal, responsible pet owners do...we wrap her up.

She is not so much a fan of the headband. I thought it was stylish! Here she is begging me to remove this stupid thing before the other dogs see her and start to laugh.

I took The Dog to the Emergency Vet (which is very much like a regular vet but their hours are 6pm - 8am). They looked at her and, $140 later (remember - I did this to save $23 or so) fixed her right up...but not without some minor sedation.

The vet had said she was giving The Dog something that would be as if she'd drank a 6-pack but they were also giving her a reversal dose. I don't think the reversal took because she is groggy as all get out and hysterically funny to watch (not that we'd watch and laugh...because that...that would be WRONG)!

So now The Dog has, instead of the two stitches in her head, four staples. This time, I am taking her to the vet to have them removed (for free)!

BUT...I'm not finished. I kinda have a gripe here with the Emergency Vet people. We got there at 6:30pm and were the ONLY clients there. The receptionist got our info, played with The Dog for a bit, weighed her, and took us into the examining room. Then, we WAITED...I'm not kidding. It was maybe 10 minutes before the Vet Tech came in. She took The Dog's temp, heart rate, etc. Then, we waited AGAIN for the vet. By now, another client had arrived. Still - when we were the only ones here, why weren't they faster? Is this a game they like to play? I know the vet and tech were in the back chatting because we saw them and they even commented on The Dog's fashionable headband.

After the vet came in to the room and told us what she was going to do, I asked her for a time-frame. We had not had dinner yet and I needed to plan accordingly. She told me 10 - 15 minutes max. We left the office 45 minutes later. Now - when the vet first said 15 minutes, I was shocked. I even said to The Girl, "Wow - I thought she'd say an hour!" Obviously, I'd have had no problem with an hour - but don't lie to me!

So, my gripe is twofold. First off, why make us wait when we were the only patients there, and secondly, why tell me we'll be out in 15 minutes when it will be closer to an hour. Had she said 45 min in the first place, I'd have been totally OK with that but she didn't. WTH?

At least The Dog is feeling better...I think!

ETA...it is NOT a sanitary pad on The Dog's head. It is a large square of gauze. I'm LMAO that so many of you thought it was a pad!!

100 comments:

  1. They do that at the regular hospital too, so why would it be any different for animals?! By the way, I lurve The Dog's headband. Styling!

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  2. That'll teach you to pretend to be a vet.
    That poor picture of The Dog looking up at you is hilarious.

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  3. WOW, your boxer kept the bandage on. My sister's would have scraped it off and eaten it. LOL!

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  4. Very stylish headband. I hope the pup is feeling better today.

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  5. Hah! I'm cracking up at the "that'll teach you to pretend to be a vet" comment! LOL!
    Poor baby!

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  6. Oh boy. I'd have a few gripes too, and the $140 to save $23 is So something I'd do. :) The headband IS cute!

    I appreciate the time you took to visit my blog when I was featured on SITS. I look forward to visiting here again. Off to read more.......:)

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  7. Poor pooch...hope she's better soon!!

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  8. That look of reproach is simply priceless.

    Hi from SITS! :)

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  9. my dog was so hyper there is no way I would have been able to take his stitches out. he was a total spaz

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  10. That head wrap is so adorable. Sorry it didn't work out though.

    Congrats on being Featured!

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  11. I love the picture of her begging to get that headband off. That is so pathetically cute!

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  12. Awww poor Frankendog!

    I love your writing style - great blog!

    Maven from A Fabulously Good Life

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  13. Your poor dog forgives you for your experimenting on him.

    Those photos are hilarious.

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  14. Looks like a sanitary napkin under that bandage ... the look on the dog's face indicates maybe she thinks it is too.

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  15. I can so relate to that entire post! Dogs have a real penchant for not healing the way we think they should and I had a pom with a broken leg remove his cast by using my sleeping body as a vice once, that was kinda funny in a macabre sort of way! Too long a wait, too high a price too many things that bug us, but I must say this AT LEAST THEY ARE THERE! I have had to wait literally hours to have a car hit dog treated because we don't have an emergency vet in our area, I would have been willing to pay that and more. Your pictures are priceless! Good blog.

    BTW got here from SITS

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  16. Oh that poor doggie. At least he has some fashionable headwear.

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  17. Oh my word, what a pathetic look on her face. I feel bad laughing at her though. Happy SITS day!

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  18. I remember our dog having stitches in her head and having to wear one of those white cones around her neck.
    Funniest thing you've ever seen. We called her hoover head and made her wear it for a couple of days more than she should - yikes looks like I get the award for worst pet caregiver!

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  19. Awww poor puppy!
    and the waiting...oh dear I though Vets were quicker..
    glad the dog is all healed now

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  20. funny I would do something like that to save a few $ and end up spending more!

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  21. Here from SITS. I love The Dog's headband...too funny. In all seriousness, your dog is so cute. She reminds me of my in-laws' dog, Emma. I hope she got to feeling better soon!

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  22. Poor baby -- hope she's healing okay!

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  23. LOVE that headband! Congratulations on your big SITS DAY! Have fun...

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  24. Awwww. Your dog is too sweet! Happy SITS Day!

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  25. Hope everything turned out well.

    We laughed our behinds off when are cat came home "drunk" from the vet. He walked sideways to his food bowl - which was really kind of sad and yet so darn funny at the same time.

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  26. Poor puppy!!

    Yeah, I've done the ER vet thing and it sucks....takes FOREVER even though it looks like they're doing nothing....

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  27. Poor puppy. He did look great in his head wrap though!

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  28. LOl!! Congrats on being the featured blogger. :)

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  29. Poor puppy! When we were getting our old dogs shots updated my dad sat in the vets office for over and HOUR before they called him back.

    Visiting from SITS.

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  30. You are too funny!

    That so sounds like something I would do! Glad it turned out okay

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  31. Oh my!!
    I love the look on the babys face w/the bandage on...priceless!
    Hope hes doing better.

    Congrats on being the featured blogger!!

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  32. Oh my goodness, seriously cracking up about the headband. Poor puppy!

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  33. OH, sweet puppy! Glad he's all right...

    ~ Anna

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  34. Poor doggy. The Dog is adorable though, especially in that headband.

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  35. Poor doggy & poor you! I once had to spend $160 to have a hamster put to sleep at an emergency vet!

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  36. Aw, poor puppy! And I can't believe you were willing to take out the stitches yourself...I get weak-kneed thinking of it!

    Oh, and I'd also like to promote my blog and website...hee! Just kidding, love your paragraph about leaving comments :)

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  37. Aww, your dog is sooo cute! Even with the hilarious headband! :)

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  38. awww, what a cute puppy! Happy SITS day!!

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  39. I love it!!! I'm glad teh dog was ok, and I'm glad that you got those great pictures of him {or is it her?} with the head band.

    Yeah, for being the FB!!

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  40. Poor pooch! I have a boxer too-best dog EVAH.

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  41. Doctors and vets love to hold their power of making you wait and wait over your head. It's a mean trick!

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  42. I can't even cut my dogs nails! I second the other comment that the bandage looks like a maxi pad, lol!

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  43. What a gorgeous dog!

    I very distinctly remember when my sister's cat was spayed. Whatever they gave her made her look like she'd ben partying. Hard.

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  44. At least the vet told you that the stitches had to come out. When my dog had surgery, they didn't tell me and i thought they were the dissolvable kind and weeks later i finally called and asked. Sheesh! Thank goodness it didn't get infected or something. I don't know about people these days!

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  45. You are a wonderful pet caregiver! I mean, you took her to the pet ER and got her taken care of -- not everybody would do that. Great story -- thanks for sharing.

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  46. Hey, I woulda been right there with you in taking out the stitches myself. C'mon, really the vet needs to charge so much for two minutes of work? I can't wait until my sister graduates vet school and I (hope I) get all my vet work for free ;)

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  47. Ugh. I can't do stitches. I can do broken bones with my eyes closed but blood and stitches?

    Ugh.

    I hope she feels better soon!

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  48. The pics are priceless. Hope the poor baby Franken-dog is all better now.

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  49. Loved the story, and it goes to prove...saving money isn't always the best idea. LOL! Happy SITS day to you!

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  50. Love the pics, wanted to give the puppy a big hug! I know what you mean about waiting, but I thought it was just limited to people doctors...they must have to take a class on it in school, Waiting 101 !

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  51. Awe what a cute doggy. Next time (hopefully there won't be one) you'll just have to spend the $23 and let the vet take out the stitches. Happy SITS day!

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  52. You are a braver girl than me to attempt stitch removal. I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat and leave all that to the experts, but that's probably a relief to my cats!

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  53. Hello from SITS! Enjoy your day in the spotlight :)

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  54. Over here from SITS. Congrats on being featured! And wow...love the headband.

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  55. What a cute doggie! I love her headband. heh.

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  56. Great story, something I would totally do to save a buck... then spend $100 fixing it.... nice. And, you're dog is way more patient than any of mine. That headband would never have even made it to his head in our house.
    Have a great day!

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  57. Poor poochie! Vets, doctors, they are all the same. Who cares about our time.

    The poochie is a cutie!

    Congrats on FB!

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  58. He looks so cute in his headband! His eyes are so expressive. He's looking at you like please don't do this to me. Happy SITS day!

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  59. What a sweet doggie. And a brave dog owner. I can't imagine removing stitches from my dogs. The big one would think I wanted to wrestle (so he would!) The little one would cry like I was killing him.

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  60. Ah, that poor baby! I'm a sucker for dogs so I was reading this post all the way through saying, "Ah."

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  61. Poor puppy! I would feel sooo guilty, too, it I'd done that. Drunk dogs (on vet meds of course) are hilarious. We got a kick out of our lab when she was a puppy and got fixed...and came home loopy but still wanting to play...

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  62. Awww, we have 2 boxers!!! Vet bills are absolutely outrageous! I AM surprised your vet charges you for stitch removal. Our vet doesn't charge for that, luckily! Love the headband!

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  63. Happy SITS day :-)

    I love that head band, she looks very fashionable, not that she looks very impressed by it. :-)

    Glad she's doing better..

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  64. Poor Puppy! Glad he is all better, sounds like something we would do. The vet bills add up like crazy! Sounds like the Dog emergency room equals every time I have taken a child to the hospital emergency room...nothing but lots of waiting!

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  65. Awww, poor pup! Great photos! What a sport. Aren't dogs the best?!

    Happy SITS day!

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  66. Poor little doggy!

    My dog would have never left the bandage on! He would have it long gone and chewed on it! Probably resulting in another trip to the vet to get it out of his gut!

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  67. Poor baby. So did the vet yell at your for removing the stitches?

    My kitty ate a bunch of stuff she wasn't supposed to. Had an intestinal blockage to the tune of $1200. I totally went to the vet to have them remove the staples...

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  68. Poor puppy. She looks depressed with that bandage on her head!

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  69. Oh poor baby. I 'm sure she's healed up nicely by now. It's awful to see a pet in discomfort.

    I have an emergency vet story to tell too - (not a nice one!) that I may have to tell one of these days!

    Congrats on your saucy feature!

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  70. Poor thing! Sure is an adorable dog! I'm a dog lover myself! And my father in law is a vet so you should have brought your dog to Utah to visit a real doctor! lol

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  71. Happy SITS day! Love that headband on The Dog! Hilarious. Did they Emergency vet center have patients in the back they were working on? (haven't got a clue why you'd have to wait so long...weird!)

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  72. I would have said as much too... like...

    "You know... nexttime.. be honest with me... I promise I won't get up in your face with honesty... like I am now."

    Looks like you used Sanitary napkins for the head?

    LOL

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  73. Poor Poochie! Do love the Always on his head! ;)

    Happy SITS day!

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  74. You should have just let us think it was a pad. Makes the photo all the more ridiculous!

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  75. Poor poochie! The things we do to save a few bucks. (Can't say I wouldn't have been tempted to do the same thing - now I won't ever try it). Happy SITS day!

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  76. Your pup is too cute...headband and all! Happy SITs Day!

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  77. I am never ever ever ever going to take the stitches out of anybody's anything. Ever.

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  78. I think I would have been to grossed out in the beginning to take the stiches out!

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  79. I think it's a rule for ALL doctors to do that to you. make you wait. there must be a class on the art of making patients (or their owners) angry- they do so well.

    Your puppy is SO CUTE! I also love the pic of him looking p at you :-) poor thing...

    Ani (sits newbie)

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  80. Oh, poor dog! That longsuffering look wearing the headband is priceless though.

    A good lesson for me as a new pet owner (we just adopted a kitten) to *not* try to play vet.

    Hope she's feeling better soon!

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  81. Totally cute dog. Hope she's completely recovered by now! Happy SITS Day!

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  82. I thought for sure you were going to say something about how they gave you a hard time for choosing to take the stitches out yourself. That would have REALLY pushed me over the edge.

    - a SITSta

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  83. Oh the joys of having a drunk dog! I just love your dog...really, really miss having a pet around here. Fish are such whimps.

    (From SITS!)

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  84. Oh this is SO something I would try to do...if I had a dog that would sit still long enough for me to do it LOL.

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  85. Happy SITS Day!!! She's quite the fashonista with that headband, no? Glad to hear everything worked out well in the end (well except for your wallet).

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  86. What a picture! your dog is precious.

    and... go easy on the emrgency vets... they may have had an animal in the 'icu' watying with them until it could be transferred to its regular vet. it happens.

    happy Happy SITS day

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  87. Awwww. I'm sorry the DIY stitch removal ended so badly. That's TOTALLY something my biologist hubby would pull! I hope he gets better soon!

    I'm here from SITS, BTW.

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  88. Aw, poor pup!

    And I would so not be able to remove stitches myself... squirm!

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  89. I would have done the same thing and removed them myself. But I also might have stapled her shut myself too- I am magic like that.

    The picture of her looking at you is priceless.

    You should see one of my rescue Danes--she has half an ear, a ruptured eyeball that is scarred over and she pulled all the hair out of her ass last week--tomorrow she gets some teeth removed. She gets better by the day but I love her!

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  90. You're brave to have even attempted the stitches, IMO. Poor baby. The looks on her face are priceless, she might as well be rolling her eyes at you.

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  91. Poor dog! I hope she is feeling better! Heather B (not that Heather!), from SITS

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  92. Haha, seriously sounds like something I would do! Just visiting from SITS. Love your blog.

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  93. Awww. poor baby! My boxer had one of those cute nurse hat bandages when she had her ears clipped. She looks like she's pleading with you to end the embarassment :)

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  94. The look on your dog's face is PRICELESS. I just about wet myself laughing at your improvised headwrap. Even more amazing to me is that your boxer let you do that. Our Goldendoodle would have NONE of that. *lol*

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  95. awww...Sounds like he was a brave pup (and a cute one at that!)

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  96. Hey, happy SITS day to you, a couple of days late.

    Your doggie so so very cute! and I thought that was a DIAPER actually, not a pad, but glad you cleared that up.

    Oh, and one more gripe for me: I HATE it when I purposely make my kid's pediatrician appointment for the first appointment of the day, at 9am. Then I never go in until at least 9:20. What's up with that? The whole reason I make that appointment is so I wont' have to wait.
    They've got us by the balls, I tell ya. They are in the drivers seat and we're just along for the ride.

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  97. That is so cute!! We are brand-new doggie owners, so I will always remember to pay the $ and get the stitches take out at the vet!!

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