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| Photo by Rebekah Thomas |
It doesn't happen often. Of course, Gladys and I are no strangers to trips and car travel, but Waffle the cat rarely rides in the car. Really, there would be just two scenarios where the Waffle-cat would car it: when the family goes to the Aiken camp in North Hero for a week... or when it's time for a vet appointment.
Last week -- historically -- the latter came to pass. And why, you ask, do I say the occasion was historic? After all, Waffle's been to lots of vet appointments.
History was made because it was the first time the entire family (and by "entire" I mean "in its current form"... and by "current" I mean "P.G."... and by "P.G." I mean "post-Gunnar) was together at a location other than our home in Richmond. Yes, that's right: Ali and Mark brought the entire family -- that is, two dogs, the cat, the kid, and themselves -- to the vet appointment.
I will submit to you straight out that multiple parties (for example, Ali, Mark, and the vet staff) displayed brazen courage (bordering on recklessness) just scheduling the appointment. But we all three were due for vaccines, so why not get it all done at once? That was Mark and Ali's thinking anyway. Sounds easy enough, right?
At first, when Waffle heard that a car ride was imminent (that is, when he saw the cat-carrier getting pulled out), he bolted. In fact, Mark finally left for the vet with just Gladys and me, leaving Ali at home to ambush the cat, if possible. Even though this has been done before (that is, Gladys and I going to the vet together), Gladys and I can take over a vet office with just our sheer enthusiasm. I seldom strain at my leash, but I LOVE the vet, so I pulled Mark right in. Gladys jumped on the scale, so a small vet tech took my leash and I promptly dragged her into the offices behind the front counter. By the time they had us into our own exam room, and Dr. Dan (the best vet ever) was examining Gladys, Ali showed up with Waffle and Gunnar -- and I'm not sure whose wailing was louder -- the cat's or the 10-week-old baby's. (Ali reports that -- for sanity purposes -- she listened to Brandi Carlile on the 5 minute car ride... loudly.) Meanwhile, I assure you that no work got done in that office during the length of our visit.
They gave Mark another exam room in order to perform his own operation (that is, a diaper change), and after that, things mellowed out to some extent. As always, Gladys and I received perfect bills of health (a little running around -- but not too much! -- goes a long way for a dog). As always, Waffle was told he needs to cut out the desserts. And the snacks. And get a little more exercise. Poor cat: the two things he does best are eat and sleep.
Well, Waffle, I hope you lose a few pounds this summer. Because then, maybe you'll enjoy the next vet visit too.
Hope this answers the question.
Your friend, Oscar
