Stoned??

With plans to go and meet my new VIP, I have had major delays. First, EmmaLou started bloating, which required immediate attention, as a cow can die rapidly from this condition. A week later, she was lined out and doing well. I began to pack the truck.

Enter Cletus. He starts shaking his head madly and crying. It looks as though there is a foxtail down in his ear. Last year this happened and ruptured his ear drum. I make an appointment with the vet, but they can’t see him until Monday, so I have to delay my trip yet again.

Deciding that both dogs need their rabies booster and Samby the Lamby is due at freezer camp, we decide to do it all at once, justifying the use of the big stock trailer and saving us the embarrassment of using it to just haul Cletus in.

The dogs rode in the back half with Samby as there were ginormous tractor tires in the front that had to be dropped off in town. Cletus was pretty stressed out, as it was a trip to the vet which had started all his claustrophobia and traveling problems. Bruno was very non-chalant, though not happy about leaving the majority of their charges behind.

We dropped Samby off and everything went smoothly. The butcher suggested selling my soap in their shop and even had a little area to display them. I told him I would think about it, but I would like to work out a trade for their lard and tallow. 

Our next stop was the veterinary clinic. There was a new receptionist who apparently wasn’t familiar with these types of dogs. I tried to explain that they are claustrophic and extremely large. She was less than cooperative or understanding. She suggested we bring Bruno in first. We explained that IF we were going to attempt bringing the dogs inside, they would do best together and she objected vehemently. I shrugged and went after Bruno.

He did fine until he saw the front door. At that point I had to insist. I got him through the door, albeit under protest, but all was ok while we were on the doormat inside. Once we stepped off the mat onto the slippery tile, it was a whole different ball game. Bruno hit the ground like a soldier under fire. He became flatter than a rug and heavier than a tank. His breathing was rapid and shallow and I had to physically pull and drag his inert body towards the scale. Unsuccessful, the vet came and gave him his shot at the front door while he played dead and invisible. He looked VERY much like a rug. I pulled him outside with great effort where he finally got to his feet and towed me back to the trailer. I looked at Cletus, who is much larger, with his wild eyes, slavering madly with nerves. He had gotten so stressed that he required the services of a bush or reststop, which of course, was not available to him, so he had left his little gift on the wheel well of the trailer. Charming.

I proceeded to put a leash on him and with my pulling and Randyman pushing, Cletus yelped and growled and grumbled his way ALMOST into the big building where the cows and horses are treated. It would have been far easier to get a recalcitrant cow or horse in there. 

I put the proffered muzzle over his face and we held him tightly while he shook, trembled, vibrated with anxiety and the vet shook visibly as she noted his size and the level of his discomfort. He never made any move to be aggressive, he only tried evasive tactics. Unfortunately, the vet said the ear was so swollen inside, she could not help, so I have to put medication inside 2x a day for the next week and try again.

Cletus was a lot more cooperative getting in the horse trailer than he had been that morning.

I had been in a good deal of pain since early that morning. It seemed to grow in intensity through out the day and I was sure I needed to get home and find a position that would be more comfortable, or at the very least, find a way to extract the broadsword that I was certain someone had impaled me on when I wasn't looking.

Randyman had several errands to run, gathering vehicle parts for the ranch.  As the hours dragged by slowly, things became a bit more intense.

Finally, I decided the wisest course of action was not to rush home, but have Randyman drop me off at the nearest hospital, where they immediately admitted me. I became more anxious to go and see Kinley and Abby and worried about what was wrong and how far this would set us back.

Several hours afterwards, the tests came back, a rupturing appendix was ruled out, along with gall bladder problems. It was discovered that I was about to give birth to a kidney stone.

My lovely daughter in law called the hospital and we had a discussion about things as well as the fact that passing a stone is often compared to labor. However, I mentioned, at least she got a baby for her efforts. 

She then informed me that after her day, she would be happy to trade me for a kidney stone, as they are not likely to keep you awake after all is said and done.

Point taken!

Hopefully, we can make the exchange next week.