Must Love Dogs

I LOVE dogs.  Not the "I have 14" kind of love. But the "I will stop and pet every dog I see" and "Ask you about your dog" kind of love.

I used to help out at a dog groomer's here in town.  Every single dog I met touched my heart.  They absolutely have distinct and unique personalities.  Sometimes their personality is evident from the first time you meet them, sometimes you have to be patient and wait for it to reveal itself.  I loved being with the dogs and being able to be both the provider and the recipient of such selfless love. 

This past Friday I found myself in the ER.  I've been dealing with a lung infection and was having a hard time breathing.  I called my doctor who has been working with me since this all started in July.  They directed me to the ER.  I didn't think it was an medical emergency, but off we went to the ER.  

ER's are never good places to find yourself in, and even more so in the COVID atmosphere we are in now.  From the guard at the front entrance to the discharging nurse, and every single person in-between, everyone was extremely patient and kind with me.  I always appreciate kind and understanding people, but more so when they are kind and understanding when they are dealing with people who are not, and there were a few of those in the ER that day. 

After I checked in, I scanned the room to find a seat away from people with the basins in their laps.  Although Bill later told me that those basins were for popcorn and that those people were waiting for someone to come around and fill them.  I didn't know that.  Now I know. 

The nurse that took my vitals and hooked me up to the EKG machine had a dog paw tattoo on her mid forearm.  Because we are in South Carolina, I asked her if she went to Clemson. Renee informed me that she went to school in Pennsylvania where she grew up and that was her dog Sparkman's paw print.   Well, that just got us talking about our dogs.  She showed me pictures of Sparkman on her phone and told me all about the birthday he had last month.  He was 8 and, based on the photos I saw, he really scored with the presents.  I have found that nothing connects people better than asking them about their pets.  

I got admitted to my room.  I got hooked up the the monitors and the x-ray technician came in to get an x-ray of my lungs.  He was very nice, but he was all business.  I didn't get a chance to ask him if he had any pets. 

We were there for about two hours and in came my nurse, Lauren.  Lauren had a very kind face and welcoming smile.  And then, I noticed that she was carrying about 9 empty tubes and three needle packets.  I asked her "Those aren't for me are they?" 1

I immediately told her that I am a hard stick.  I haven't had anything to drink, my veins are not plumbed up, and I haven't had my valium.  Is it possible to do this, say, two weeks from now? 2

With my left hand tightly squeezing Bill's, Lauren set to work finding a vein. But, first I had to advise her of the "rules" regarding this procedure:  1) We can not talk about the veins, 2) I can not see the blood, 3) If I tell her that it hurts and to stop - she better stop, and the most important rule is 4) We have to talk about our dogs. I asked her if she has dogs.  

Halleluiah, Lauren had a dog and two cats 3. I asked her to tell me about her dog.  She told me all about Baxter, her Chocolate Lab.  He is 13 and has diabetes, it's his birthday today and she needs to find a sugar-free cake for his party later.

Lauren was very kind and patient with me as she set to work trying to get blood from my non-plumb veins.  She was having a very hard time and the monitors I was hooked to clearly and accurately reflected this fact.  She got what she could and said that she had to move to my other arm.  Not what I wanted to hear, but she knew the rules and got to work on the left arm.  Meanwhile, I asked questions about Baxter. Soon I found myself falling in love with him too and was angling for an invitation to his birthday party that evening.  

After she got what she needed from me, she sent the tubes off to the lab to get tested and came back with her phone.  She showed us picture after picture of Baxter.  He was a handsome fella and it was very clear that he was much loved and treasured.  

I will always give love to dogs in my neighborhood and I will always ask people about their pets.  There is a special connection that pet owners have.  I appreciate that in good times and I appreciate that in bad times too. 

1 This was of course a silly question.  I was the one in the hospital gown sitting in the hospital bed. 

2 See "Random Thoughts II

3  I like cats, and I'm sure Lauren's cats are very nice, but these are my rules and we talk about dogs.