Do I have to go to the vet?
Today Matilda went for her monthly post-chemo Remission check-up at Blue Pearl. We tried zip-car as our transportation. For those of you who are not New Yorkers, I should explain. Lots of us do not have cars, because it is so congested on the streets and highways, that you spend a majority of your time sitting in gigantor traffic jams. Then, when you arrive at your precious destination, you begin the process of “finding a spot”. This may take anywhere from ten minutes to an hour. Sometimes it isn’t possible! If there are no parking garages around, you are stuck. For the most part, in Brooklyn, there are no parking garages. Most people who have cars have nowhere to park them at night, so the mad rush is on to find a spot when one arrives home. Sometimes if someone finds a good spot, she will then take the subway for a few days or even a few weeks! Oy! Why do we love New York?
- We’ll NEVER find a parking spot!
It was quite an adventure as I wrangled Matilda into the car. I am pretty short. She is heavier than she looks. I was lifting her higher and higher , but her extremely long legs were not getting any nearer the seat! She was making gurgling sounds, and I felt that I might be killing her!!!! Finally, I tried just a little bit harder, and voila, there she was.
Her panting was ferocious, and I am pretty certain that she has laryngeal paralysis. My first greyhound had this, and if it isn’t severe, it can be managed by keeping the dog cool, calm, and not very active. But now Matilda was stressed. The panting had a voice to it. My brain began to pant.
We are walking EVERYWHERE!
The air conditioning went to town, and off we sped. Finally she did lie down, and then there was the gargantuan task of finding a parking space in this hugely congested area of Brooklyn. No, never mind, double park! I had phoned ahead, and a wonderful woman ran out and tried to scoop Matilda out of the car, which was not an easy task. She had gotten into the footwell of the car, and we lifted her out, but she was facing the wrong direction, so she had to be gently urged to turn around in this fairly small back seat. She is an enormously tall hound, with long long legs. It was like moving a small horse. Finally she ended up jumping out on her own, which we were trying to avoid, because of her age and the arthritis and slight neurological issues she has.
But lo! A good check-up, and no sign of Lymphoma. Everyone kissed and hugged Matilda, she lay smiling and relaxed on her blankie, and now…we turned around to head home, and this time mom was also smiling!
L’shana Tova!
Mom says that driving and parking in Germany was hard and congested enough. She would not even attempt it in NY City. So glad Matilda is still cancer free. That is great news!
Thanks Emma! I was glad that I didn’t have to go upstairs and get chemo. Mom can drive pretty well in New York City. She has learned to weave and have her ears and eyes alert to the nth degree. But parking! That is her nemesis. That is part of the reason she got rid of her car. In NYC, you don’t really need one. The subways and buses go everywhere, and never close.
Lee says we would never live in New York. Lee works for a company whose home office is on Avenue of The America and no way are we going back there. No Way!
I am very glad that you got a great medical review.
Sweet William The Scot
Oh, you used to live in New York City, Sweet William? I used to live in Colorado and then New Jersey. That was before I came to live in Brooklyn with mom. I like Brooklyn a lot. We have some nice grassy areas and a big park. I like meeting lots of people walking on the sidewalk. Mom likes all the activity, but living in a quiet part of Brooklyn. Thanks for being supportive about my good health!
You and your mom are troopers, Matilda, and I am so very happy that you had a good report!
Thanks Miss Harper Lee. I love looking at all your beautiful pictures. Mom is trying to use her new camera to take nice pictures, but she is a little discombobulated!!
the great report is the BEST news of all!!
Barks and licks and love,
Dakota
Thank you so much! Doggie squeals back at ya!
Matilda
I admit to being a super impatient driver… I’m absolutely positive I couldn’t handle driving in NYC.
Excellent descriptions of getting Matilda into the car and out of the car, although I hate that it was so hard on her (and you).
SOOO glad to hear that she had a great check-up!! Yay Matilda!!
I love the pictures with this post, especially the second one. It looks like she is laughing at a really good joke. Or maybe giddy with glee that she’s still cancer-free!
Dog hugs,
Pam & The Wieners
Well, you get used to it. There comes a time when you have gone through a transition, and ….suddenly you find yourself surging forward with the best (or worst) of them. You scarcely recognize yourself as you edge out all the slow-pokes.
I love her laugh-y faces too!
BTW, yesterday she was playing with Livvie! She really couldn’t sustain it though .
Well, after ALL THAT, at least it was good news. LOL! Makes all the trouble worth it, I’m sure. Congrats on the continued remission!
Thanks Donna, yes it did make it all worth it! Thanks so much for your empathetic response!
It sounds like it was worth all the hassle to get such good news!
Yes, it was. We felt almost high when we arrived home!