It started out as such a nice day. Kathy sprang out of bed much earlier than normal, hoping to get to school a little ahead of schedule in order to get some stuff done. Since she was up, I suggested that we take the dogs to day care- and she agreed. Unfortunately, when she got there, Bobbi was so excited to be there that she was pulling terribly on her leash/collar, and choking a bit – and the receptionist heard that and ascertained that Bobbi had “Kennel Cough” and would not be permitted to come in . . . and neither could Ellie, since she might likely be a carrier. So my wife hauls the dogs back into the car and all the way back to the house (Proper Paws is on the north side and we live on the south side) and THEN finally heading off to school – not early at all but barely on time. And the DayCare said the dogs would not be admitted into DayCare without a doctor’s note saying that they don’t have Kennel Cough. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
So Kathy manages to get Bobbi into the vet this afternoon after school, to get the clearance note so Bobbi will be allowed back into Proper Paws. Except that Bobbi DOES have Kennel Cough! In fact, because it is so easily spread to other animal, that particular examination room was immediately quarantined. . . to the point where they didn’t let her walk back to the front counter to pay for the visit. They came to her – the transaction was completed- and then Kathy had to leave the building via a special door at the back. That’s how nervous they were about Bobbi – our precious little Bobbi – spreading this to others. She is now on medication (four pills a day) and quarantined – as is Ellie – from Proper Paws for at least two weeks. And they are not permitted to be in contact with any other dogs until this matter is cleared up. My word! I feel like Kathy and I should be dressed up in those decontamination suits from the movie “Outbreak.”
The day began badly for kathy= and for my brother-in-law as well. Polly told me that Mark, while touching up some sort of blemish on one of his dress shoes, actually managed to dump the whole thing of shoe polish over what Polly said are his favorite shoes. Oops. And at the end of the afternoon, I discovered that the fan no longer works in my car – on a day when we cracked past 80 degrees. Must be something in the stars.
So think a good thought for Bobbi over the next few days – no Get Well cards necessary . . . and save your Prayer Chain for the people in your lives needing help . . . Just think good, happy, healthy thoughts for Typhoid Bobbi and her friend Ellie.
Pictured: Bobbi in our kitchenette – May 20, 2007 – Looking pretty sweet and innocent.