Maggie's Turn- A Trip to the Vet

Hi everyone, Maggie here. Mom told me we were going somewhere this morning. I thought at first that would be a good thing, but then I found out she was taking me to the VET. I said, "I'm outta here."

I thought I had it made when she found that the car had a really low tire. But she pumped that up- bummer. Then she caught me and off to the vet we went. Oh... it was awful.

Well, first I had to get on the scale. I don't mind that so much, and I am not overweight. I wish mom would sneak me more treats, but she says it's bad for my hip if I weigh more than 50 pounds. I was at 49. Horray!

Next, Dr. Paul drew blood, BLOOD, out of my leg. You know I HATE to have my paws touched, and he had trouble getting the blood to come into the syringe, and the lady had to hold me extra tight, and mom held my jaws because maybe I couldn't control my feelings about the paws. Oh, I didn't like that. But I got a nice blue bandage to wear home.

The reason Dr. Paul needed my blood was to look for nasty things called worms that might be in my heart. I don't understand why he looked in my arm for things in my heart, but I guess that's why he's a doctor. He said that I don't have any of those worms.



He wasn't very happy about how big my fatty li-po-mas have gotten. I know, you haven't seen those before. I didn't really want to show you, but they have gotten awfully big. They aren't bothering me really, but they are ugly, and... BIG. The problem is that it would cost way too much to take them off. And of course, I'd have to go back to the vet for that. I don't think I want to know how he would take them off. Yes, I have two. Here's the other one.



He gave me a shot, and I had to be held tight for that. I growled a little. I just couldn't help it. Then he gave me ANOTHER shot. For cryin' out loud... this is just not fun. And then he messed with my mouth! Yuck. And he said I have a bad tooth.



Whew, I survived. See, we made it home, and I am smiling now. It's all over. Mom cried a little, and I'll tell you why. She tried to hide it, but I saw her.

The vet told her last week that he couldn't sell her any more of the yummy pills I get every month to make it so I don't get those worms in my heart. He couldn't do it without that blood test. But mom said that she didn't have the money, and so I'd have to just take my chances.

But yesterday, Dr. Paul called and said he'd do the test for free. That's why we went to his office. When we got there the lady sounded pretty stern and told mom that I needed distemper and rabies vaccines too. Mom looked sad, and said she didn't have enough money and I'd just have to wait. But that Dr. Paul just gave me the shots anyway and all mom paid for was the pills. I don't know why that made her get drippy, but she didn't seem sad.

P.S. On the way home we left the car at the tire place and walked home before the day got too hot. She told me later that Greg the tire guy said there was a nail in it. Not one of my nails. At least my nails are ok. I know... I keep them nicely chewed.

Maggie