We returned from our 2013 Green Bay/Door County adventure on Wednesday afternoon and I have been meaning to start cementing the trips place in history by posting about it here but we have had lots of cleaning and laundry to do as well as a super fun and pricey trip to the vets.
We had never left Bernie before and we almost took him with us but we had nowhere to put him during Packers Family Night since our hotel for that night was an hour north of the field. I didn't want to ask someone to take him. I have friends who would have but if I am being honest I don't want to dog sit for anyone so I am assuming they do not either and just because someone will do something for you, it does not mean they should have to.
Seth researched boarding houses and called vets and they all recommended the same place. So Bernie spent 4 night there. The bare bones package only offered them a small room and they would get fed and taken potty three times a day. We upgraded his room to one that was a bit larger and had a doggy door that led to a potty area but that was still all he would get so we added walks and puppy play dates and hikes and grooming and cuddle time and a bath so that he wouldn't be sitting alone all day and the price went up very quickly. I was not thrilled but he survived and got a perfect, glowing report card that told us how sweet and well behaved he was during his visit.
When we got home we noticed that he kept sounding like he was choking and I finally realized it was coughing. And then he peed in the house three times which I thought might just be because he was readjusting but when I wiped it up it was streaked with what looked like blood so we hurried him of to the doctor where they tested crap I did not even ask them to test and wanted to give me ear infection meds again. I still have those at home from a previous infection so I declined but still got charged $40 for the ear swab, not to mention what they charged for the pee and coughing and antibiotics and just for walking through their door. They wanted to treat the cough and have us come back to have them take a urine sample another day because they couldn't get the tray under him when he went. Like I wanted to come back and be charged for another visit. Seth took him out and caught the pee (which actually looked healthy, phew) with no problem which I think baffled them. They were talking about two separate antibiotic treatments for the cough and bladder and I quickly intervened because aren't antibiotics antibiotics? Wouldn't the one prescription take care of both problems and maybe even the ear infection too? The doc admitted that it would so now he is on antibiotics and his vet visit ended up costing as much as the dang boarding house.
I may be switching vets because these guys are notorious for adding on services that I did not come in for and we may be taking Bernie with us next time we go camping. I am sure it is just like the first time you leave a child at preschool, church, etc and they inevitably get sick but eventually build up stronger immunities but the whole thing still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
But there are more fun posts coming. I have downloaded the pics off my camera and now I just need to upload them to photobucket so that I can start dumping them here.
Second Week of School
3 years ago
7 comments:
Wow, it sounds like Bernie had a better vacation than most of mine...haha. It must be frustrating though to get him back sick. I've heard that's common with boarding (my mom started hiring people to come stay at her house because of constantly having her dogs get sick while being boarded). Don't even get me started on ridiculous vet charges. In Kenosha (maybe your same vet) the vet requested a stool sample. I was ready to use the old-fashioned baggy trick, but the ever-so-thoughtful assistant offered me a tube to collect it instead because "it makes it much simpler and cleaner of a job". I get home and notice they charged $25 for that stupid tube, and the lady never said a word to me about it. I was livid and refused to return there ever again. I ended up going to some rundown place downtown where they were so nice and CHEAP.
And the tube was essentially an old Chapstick tube. Lame!
Hence the reason Corey won't let me have a dog. I boarded our dog in OK while we went on vacation and he ended up being super sick too with a high vet bill. Don't forget that people are looking for ways to do service and maybe that would be a way to allow someone to get the opportunity. I for one love to dog sit because corey won't let me have a dog of my own. Too bad we don't live closer I would sign up for permanent duty.
Jen, Sounds like the same place. Once they gave me some ear cleaner "just to try it out" and then I found it on my bill for $40. Shouldn't they have to tell you what they are charging you for and not make it sound like a sample? They looked annoyed when we got the urine sample ourselves because it meant that we didn't have to come the next day so they could charge us to try again. I am getting really annoyed now. Do you remember the place you switched to? As for boarding, I think I will have to hire someone to come here next time. I was trying to avoid having people stay in my house. Oh well!
Kory, I wish you were here. You could get your doggy fix and I would have a sitter. Most of my friends do not like dogs or they have dogs and I hate to dump another one on them. There is a boy in our neighborhood from church who I could probably pay to just come over a few times a day to walk and play with the dog. I guess I have learned my lesson about boarding.
Which explains why we have a cat. We will have been gone 12 days. Loaded dishes and bowls with food and water. A friend was going to check once or twice while we are gone. And that's it-- no kenneling, no hiring someone. And we want to go places pets are not allowed (with good reason--hate stepping in doggie do-do that no one picked up!). And we refuse to become those people who's pets have more rights than people do--who take their pets everywhere and assume that YOU love their pet and want them around as much as they do! Pets do NOT belong everywhere. Who let their pets jump all over you, claw you, lick you--ick! And who refuse to control their pets--I sometimes hate to do my RS visits to sisters in the ward because there's always someone who lets their dogs run all over you and think its so CUTE and precious. Not talking about Bernie--we got along fine, but some people are now raising pets instead of children and their pets act worse than spoiled kids.
Ann, Believe me, I considered a cat for those reasons alone. Cats gross me out but they are so low maintenance. I agree about people letting their animals touch you when you come over. I went to homes with many dogs and cats on my mission and got mauled. Once I even went to a home with 71 cats and they were crawling out of the couch cushions. I put Bernie in his crate when people come over unless they specifically ask to play with him and I always pick up Bernie's messes but I am appalled at how many owners leave them for other people's feet to find.
I am with Ann. I always had cats and they are so easy. Mine weren't gross either. :)
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