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!