I was looking forward to a nice relaxing Saturday night in, watching NFL playoff games without stress since my 49ers had a bye in the first round.
Football, accompanied by grilled swordfish and wine. Not the typical sports fare, I know, but in my mind: Perfect.
Everything was off to a promising start too, until Buster started limping.
It was my fault, sort of. On Friday, he’d bloodied his paw in the woods. Upon closer inspection, I saw that he had wrenched his nail. But the bleeding stopped and it wasn’t bothering him, so I didn’t give it another thought. Especially since we went back into the woods Saturday afternoon and he ran around happily with no issue.
But here’s the thing – the wound itself was minor, but how many germs do you think a dog’s foot is exposed to? When I looked at his paw again on Saturday night, some 30 hours after his injury, it was clearly infected. I knew right then I was in for a trip to the doggie ER.
The infection wasn’t life threatening, at least not acutely, so I jammed down some swordfish first. Obviously, I needed nourishment to carry me through the upcoming ordeal. The swordfish tasted divine, making me even more disappointed that I couldn’t continue the evening by staying home and watching football in my sweatpants, while swilling wine.
Of course, there was no question I had to take care of my youngest baby. But why do these things always happen on the weekend?
Not that Buster was enjoying himself either. After making the 30 minute drive to the doggie ER and walking through the door, Buster figured out what was happening and proceeded to tremble and hyperventilate the entire time in the waiting room.
9pm in the doggie ER: I was having a great time.
After all, there was plenty of entertainment. The Whippet with a gash that required stitches. The mutt in distress that, when induced to vomit, spewed up piles and piles of aluminum foil (fortunately, I only know this because I overheard the vet telling the owners after they politely declined to inspect their dog’s vomit). A cat with some undisclosed problem other than being a cat in a hospital full of dogs. It could always be worse, I supposed.
We were called into the treatment room, finally, and the vet informed me that Buster had an infected nail bed (Yes, I know) and that he would need antibiotics (Yes, I know that too. Hence our presence at your esteemed facility).
After a shot of antibiotics, a shot of an anti-inflammatory, a bandage, pills to take home, and nearly $500, we drove home.
I knew what I would have rather been doing during those 2 hours. So instead, I thought about the awesome things I could have done with that $500: Multiple nice dinners out. An airline ticket to someplace warm. A pair of new boots (good ones), or two. And then I thought about how much I love my dog.
When we got home, Buster established the family room rug as his recovery area, and I finally drank my wine.
Maybe this Saturday will be better. We have plenty of wine, my 49ers have the late playoff game, and I should be able to wash my most comfortable sweatpants by then.
I might yet have my nice relaxing Saturday night. As long as the 49ers win, that is.
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{ 69 comments… read them below or add one }
$500?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!? Ow! That hurts worse than the Redskins losing.
But poor Buster, I hope he feels better soon.
He’s ok. Just banned from the woods until it heals. And of course it’s the most beautiful week we’ve had in a while!
Aw, the poor little sweetie. I knew, as soon as I read ‘emergency vet’ that you were in for a doozy of a bill! It’s absolutely outrageous what they charge. Just imagine if something was seriously wrong!
You’re a good doggie momma
I know, it’s crazy! But we have to fork it over…
Damn! I hate that. This lab sitting next to me ate 50 of my vitamins on my birthday two years ago. Doggie ER wanted $1400 to observe her overnight. My husband said, I’ll watch her for that amount. Here’s hoping there’s wine and a successful game (and clean sweats) for you this Saturday!
Oh and I love your hair!
Thanks Gina, on all accounts!
Football, accompanied by grilled swordfish and wine.
Hah, you are a ’9er’s fan, aren’t you.
Glad to hear Buster is doing ok.
Yep!
awww poor puppy! Glad he’s recovering and you have your wine!
Thanks! The worst is over
poor buster!! i’m so glad he’s okay.. now you go put your paws up and get your wine and relax.
good mommy.
I plan on it!
Awww…I saw the photos and now, knowing the story…awww. Pet health woes are tough between the vet and the money it costs to get them healthy again. Hope Buster’s feeling better!
It’s more than my kids cost!
I’m glad he’s better and all, but WHAT is up with a dog eating and puking up aluminum foil? That must have really hurt coming up.
Fortunately, I can only imagine it – I did not see it.
Awww….poor little Buster! And poor you! Thank God for ER Vets and Wine when you get home! Get that corkscrew workin’!
Oh I did, thanks Roz!
Give Buster a hug from me! Hope he’s feeling all better soon for more romps in the woods.
Thanks Terri! He feels fine now. I just have to let it heal before taking him romping again.
Having your plans busted is the absolute worst. Especially for moms. We want to whine and pout and stamp our feet but that damn responsibility has us doing what we need to even if we don’t want to.
$500 eh? I had my cat completely wipe out my Emergency Vet Fund last year in one visit. I’m hoping the dog and the cat stay healthy this year – gives it a chance to accumulate again.
Yeah, the ER vet is making a good living!
You’re a good mommy to all your babies. Pets are crazy expensive, but totally worth it. (I don’t have pets, but ya’ll seem to love them.) Glad he’s on the mend.
Thanks Christie, they are worth it but it’s still a bit of an “ouch.”
Oh, poor pup. We’ve only had to do doggie ER once and it was a doozy. Our (at the time) four month old Lab pup sliced her leg open from her hip to her knee crawling under out chain link fence. I could see bone and about passed out.
The only thing good about it is that the vet bil was only @240.00 because we were there before 10PM and we live in Iowa where things are not nearly as expensive as NJ.
Oh — and I’m glad he’s OK and that you got to enjoy your wine eventually
That sounds a lot worse! I’m glad she was ok. At least I had the benefit of knowing all he needed was antibiotics – no scary stuff, just an inconvenience!
What a great story!! I have worn my pajama pants all day and am about to watch Dance Moms with buttered, salted rice and perhaps some chocolate cake – my version of your evening. I think I am going to lock my dogs up! LOL
Haha! That sounds so awesome.
OMG poor baby! And poor Buster too! Haha!
I’m glad he’s on the mend now, but oi that vet bill is rough! Here’s to hoping he starts pooping $100 bills.
P.S. I love your face in the picture! You look sooooo happy to be wine-less and surrounded by sick pups. Haha. Your expression is priceless and your hair is GREAT!
He would sure earn his keep better if he pooped $100 bills! Thanks for noticing my hair. I can never get it to look like that but I’d gotten it cut earlier in the day so I’m sporting the professional blow-out (My hair is naturally quite wavy).
Aww, poor puppy. Years ago our dog April broke her leg and it was on the weekend so off we went to the ER. It’s like they know. But they’re worth it.
Yes they are. A broken leg is worse than an infected toenail!
Oh Buster! Poor sweet boy! So sorry about your evening (and wallet), but this post was so funny and fun to read. It’s disgusting what vets charge. Ivy developed some weird problem on our roadtrip this summer so I had to take her to a strange vet in a strange town: goodbye, three hundred American dollars! Sigh.
Thanks so much Louise! It is amazing what they charge. With 3 dogs, you must have an extra large ER fund. Glad Ivy was ok
stacie!! so glad buster is ok, so sorry your saturday eve plans were *ruined*…and eesh, $500? that is a lot of lulu wear!!!
i love the 49ers, too. that goes back to the joe montana days!
The catch – Montana to Clark. Such good times! We can cheer virtually on Saturday night then. Always nice to find another 9ers fan!
Glad Buster is ok. Sorry that you had to abandon your football watching plans for the night, but if its any consolation, the Green Bay/Minnesota game wasn’t so great, and your hair looked awesome at the doggie ER
Haha, thanks Samantha!
My dog always, ALWAYS has things happen on the weekend. I even started to wonder if she was doing it on purpose to bankrupt us. There is nothing more frustrating and expensive than a trip to the Doggie ER. But what can you do??
I’m glad your baby is on the mend. Maybe you’ll get your calm and relaxing Saturday next week! Good luck!!
Thanks, I sure hope so!!
Five hundred dollars! Good grief. I made the Doggie ER run one Saturday morning. Over a $100 there then a drive by the pet superstore to buy one of those cones for his head. Not cheap either. I am so sorry that you missed your relaxing NFL evening. Good luck on Saturday. The Falcons have to play the red hot Seahawks. That should be interesting.
The Seahawks are on fire. I was kind of hoping they’d lose last week since the 9ers haven’t done well against them this year. They are fun to watch though (but scary!).
His little leg looks so cute in its bandage. Not 500 bucks cute, but such is life. I’m a Ravens fan so here’s to a Harbaugh Super Bowl!!!
That would be fun!
Aw, your poor sweet little Buster! Not being a pet owner, I didn’t even know a doggie ER existed! I’m glad you were able to take care of him before the infection got worse.
Thanks Ginny. It’s only money, right?
Great post, Stacie. Glad Buster will be Ok.
Thanks Fran!
Ha! The look on your face is priceless!
Glad Buster is on the mend and you’ll be back on your walks soon enough!
I hope so. I really miss it already and it’s only been 4 days!
Poor little Buster! I hope he’s feeling back to his normal, romping self!
Me too
OK, so I almost didn’t comment. Because before this comment, you had exactly 49 comments. And as a 9er fan myself, I know that if I ever had 49 comments, I would just close that shit up tight right there.
So, GO NINERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And a special Get Well Soon to your pup.
Haha you are so funny! We’ll have to tweet together during the game on Saturday!
I really enjoyed reading this post and so relate to being yanked out of my longed-for plans by some emergency. $500? Ugh! We just got the last of my daughter’s hospital/ambulance/doctor bills for her bicycle accident late last year. Of course she’s worth it, but I hate paying that money and like you, thought of all the fun things we could have done with it. Easy come, easy go! Great post!
And it’s also the fact that the ER is so much more than the regular docs (people and doggies). But yes, they are worth it!
Awwww, poor guy. I used to work at an animal ER, and believe me, Buster’s problem would have been a welcome one compared to the other things we saw. But I also know what it’s like to be on the pet parent’s side. I’m just glad it wasn’t anything serious. As for the bill…yeah. Thugdoll’s dental cost $1,200 last January. We weren’t happy about it, but were glad we’re fortunate enough to be able to pay.
Yikes! I am sure I got off easy now. I’ll bet it’s traumatic to work in any ER!
Poor little beast! I’m so grateful to the staff at the wonderful emergency vet in my town, because they helped us through a couple of very scary nights with a very sick cat, and they were compassionate and kind and extremely skilled. Glad your Buster’s ok. He’s miles better than boots, anyway.
Yes, the staff was great. They just charge a lot.
Ah, pets. The bane and the joy of our existence. Cheaper than children, but still painfully expensive.
You said it!
Glad the pooch is doing better but, yeah, $500? Wow. That’s gotta hurt.
Your football dinner sounds divine to me too. But maybe that’s because I’m a 9-ers fan too. Them and the Seahawks.
Oh yay, let’s tweet them to victory on Saturday night! Packers can be tough.
Ah, the emergency vet. Been there. My dog broke his tail. Twice. I mean honestly.
Hope the pup is feeling better and you have a quiet Saturday!
He broke his tail? I’ve never heard of that, how awful! I hope you have a quite Saturday too, in your slippers
Oh. He’s so sweet lying there all bandaged up. You’re right it could be worse though. One time my dog (a shitzu) was bit near his eye by the lab and his eye popped out of its socket. It was just bobbing up and down there. It was almost $2,000 of surgery and he was ran over not even two months later. Sorry. I don’t know why I shared that. That helped nothing. $500 is a lot, but a dog’s love is priceless. You know this, I’m sure.