Two dogs and a ladle

Every morning, I rush two eager dogs out the door so they can do their doggy business. I am getting used to the routine, although it's not charming in the dead of winter. It's cold, is what it is!

This morning, I had to take a ladle with me again and get a new urine sample from Molly. The last time, which was the first time, was so easy that it almost scared me. That was the morning of my shoulder surgery, and as soon as Molly squatted, I stuck the ladle under her, then poured the pee into a baby food jar. No problem. The vet had called me and said Molly had calcium crystals in her urine, and needed more water. She told me that Molly could have bladder stones and I would need to get another sample in a couple of weeks.

For the last two weeks, the beagles have been chowing down on kibble plus canned food. No complaints from them. They don't have to clean out the cans and dispose of them and all of that messy stuff.

Today, I needed a new sample. I went out the garage door as is usual now, since my front porch is covered in ice and totally unsafe to walk on. I had the two leashes in my (good) left hand and the ladle in my (ouchie) right hand. I didn't expect any issues, other than snow on the ground.

It's amazing how two dogs can react, first thing in the morning, to deer tracks going across the front lawn and driveway. I am pretty sure there was something else, too - maybe Rocket the neighbor beagle or a coyote - whatever it was, it incited much interest in the beagles. Baby peed right away, but I didn't need that. Molly held her pee while she snorted snow, stuck her nose in it, and ran around like a freak on crystal meth. My shoulders, of course, had to follow along; I couldn't pull back hard. It helps when they both go in the same direction.

There I was, half asleep, trying to get Molly to pee while I hold a red ladle to gather the evidence. They were really being uncooperative and dragging me all over the yard, making up for their previous angelic behavior since my surgery. I was about to give up in exasperation, when things changed.

I heard Gaily's garage door go up. Gaily is the Cairn terrier who is in love with my girls. She must be - she tries to hump Molly every time she gets close. All three dogs charged at each other in glee. I tried to dig in, but 70 lbs of determined beagle is impressive. I was about to let go and just cry from pain when Gaily's mom got close enough for them all to sniff each other's butts and say HI. Gaily's mom and I were content to speak; no need to sniff butts, we recognized each other under the coats and hats and all.

Molly still held her pee.

All three dogs jumped and danced for joy and whatever it is that makes dogs happy. I ached, and tried to hold on best I could.

Molly gave me her evil grin, and held her pee. Baby, however, pooped, leaving me to try to hold the ladle at the ready, and clean up the poop too. I managed, somehow, to get it cleaned up off the snow.

Gaily also has calcium crystals in her urine and has had surgery twice. She eats a special, prescription diet, and nothing else. Ever.

Molly sidled sideways and started to squat. Yikes! I grabbed the ladle, stuck it under her, and saw snow creep in. I don't think urine samples are supposed to be watered down. Quickly, I dumped it, and stuck the ladle back under Molly.

Success! A perfect mid-stream catch.

I dropped the sample off after PT. The PT seemed to wonder why I was a bit sore today, but she congratulated me as usual on my excellent healing powers and agile range of motion. Yeah, yeah, just keep massaging those muscles, OK?

After that, I did a little shopping. I was checking out a very nice backpack for traveling (a possible trip is coming up), and my cell phone rang. I answered it, and it was the vet. I gently, but firmly, put the backpack down as she gave me the news.

Molly has another UTI. It's very bad. She also has way too many calcium crystals in her urine and I need to take her in for X-rays of her abdomen, which will get both her bladder and her kidneys. She will be looking for stones.

Molly is a very sick girl.

Please keep her in your thoughts. She probably will need surgery to remove stones. Surgery on an Addisonian dog is not something simple. I flat out asked the vet if this is likely to kill her. She said no, probably not, but she didn't sound totally convincing.

OK, I don't need a backback. I don't need to go to Arizona. I need my Molly to be well.

Tonight is shot night. I have it here. I hope it takes me less than five hours this time to do it, assuming I even can, since I am so right handed and my right hand is a bit weak now.

Tomorrow, I drag two hyper-freako dogs to the vet for a couple of hours. They are never separated, so both have to go. Assuming Molly needs surgery, she will probably be there overnight. Molly has never been in the vet's overnight, and I will do anything I can to avoid it. They don't have someone there all night, but I am here all night to watch her. I don't need much sleep.

Best case scenario is that Molly will be on prescription dog food the rest of her life, as far as I can understand it. More "liquid gold." Molly looks lovely in gold. Molly has been a little "off" lately, but not much. She has been a tad quieter, although anyone who has been here has not seen it. She has a great quality of life and greets each day with unbounded joy.

Whatever it takes.