£275.54
I thought it might be another normal November day: trees on fire and sky
as grey as smoke. I took Dog to the beach to run in the sea and let the salt
water heal up the barbwire slice she came out of the Forbidden Woods with.
There's an old fly-tip down there, fascinating and dangerous for all animals
including me. As a child growing up on a beach I was programmed to regard
seawater as a cure for anything but drowning, but also sensibly banned from
climbing through tips.
Dog chased cormorants at the edge of low tide and the worn down rocks
lay like ossified blocks of things long gone, and I walked, thinking of claws
and scaly tails, pressing bare toes into cool damp sand. Back at home I bribed
Dog to roll over and let me check the wound, only to find another, deeper gape
carved in her flesh: the kind that even I can't believe the sea will mend
sufficiently. Knowing how limited our resources are I tried to believe the sea
could do it. Dog slunk to her basket, apologetically.
I phoned the vet, of course, and she needed
treatment, of course, and the surgery let me bring her home tonight to make it
cheaper. The wound and the expense were two uncomfortable jolts. She is back in
her basket now, too woozy to even be sorry for herself. I'm upstairs, writing
this, re-budgeting to afford some pet insurance, being glad Dog is okay,
running through platitudes and sorting them into piles of Useful and Dubious.
No platitudes here, just a heartfelt hug and a wee treat for Dog when she feels better.
ReplyDeletePoor both of you.
Yikes, poor doggie. Those vet bills can get big with a quickness. One thing about the vets here in Manila is: 1. they are as good as the hospital doctors (I kid you not), and 2. they are about 80% cheaper than American vets. Here's hopping doggie recovers well and soon. Cheers.
ReplyDelete:(
ReplyDeleteHow is the tally looking? Up on the useful side, I hope.
xx
Pets have a habit of getting into expensive trouble just when you least expect it. Hope Dog is feeling better.
ReplyDeleteDog is feeling better- has managed to lose her dressings all ready. I am feeling better- but could still be in shock... think my attitude is holding up.
ReplyDeletePleased to hear pet care is good in Manila, Jeremy!