Another Vet Visit

When I woke up Saturday morning and came down to let Sophie out of her kennel, I noticed that her cone was no longer on properly.  Oh no, her stitches, I thought.  But, she was only 2 days away from getting that cone off, so maybe there was hope that she really didn't do any damage.  I let Sophie out of her kennel to eat and go the bathroom.  That's when I noticed a fluid with just a bit of a blood tinge to it all over the floor.  Poor Mario had just gotten home at 5:30 that morning from work and so he only had an hour of sleep when I had to wake him to help me get the cone back on.  We knew we had no choice but to call the vet.  Fortunately our awesome, way less expensive than normal vet, had Saturday hours. She had fluid built up around her stitches that had to be drained.  They put a drain in and I elected to have them keep her for the weekend because I didn't want it draining all over my house.  Disgusting!  I think it's probably my fault that she got the fluid to begin with because it happens with too much exercise and I had let her chase a ball last week.

I am now to the point where I don't want a dog anymore.  Why did I have to cry so hard over Buzz that Mario got me another dog immediately?!  Why did he have to get a huge dog that needs so much exercise?  Why does this dog constantly need to go to the vet?  Why does she shed so much?

I have really been enjoying the couple days with her gone.  I can leave food on the counter.  I can put a glass of water down in the family room without worrying about it getting knocked over.  Best of all, I can eat popcorn in peace (Sophie loves popcorn, but I think she is allergic to the corn.)

Now with the move to Spain and the prospect of living downtown in a great apartment, I am ready to say goodbye to her.  I have two people standing in my way-Mario and Zach.  I am trying to think of a bribe that would be good enough for Zach but so far, I haven't found one.  

I am now to the point where I told them I am no longer taking care of her.  I am tired of doing most of the walks, doing most of the sweeping and vacuuming, and picking up after her.  I plan to buy a baby gate today so that I can contain her to the family room so I can manage the dog hair better.  In her defense, we never brush her.

I do love Sophie and I am probably all talk.  I love that if I hear a strange noise at night, I don't worry at all.  If Sophie isn't barking, then I know the house is safe.  I love getting out and playing ball with her. I love watching her slip and slide on the ice in the winter.   I love walking in the house and seeing her there waiting for us. So when all is said and done, I probably won't have the heart to give her up either.