Oh Jack

What I learned today: If your kids don't embarrass you, your dog will.

Yes, I know everyone poops. However, I still find it a bit humiliating when Jack does his business in the front yard and cars are driving by. I always nod and smile, as if to say, "everyone poops people, what are you staring at?" (that's just me being sensitive) I guess cats and their litter boxes have a pretty good deal...well they have privacy anyway! Obviously none of this bothers a dog. When I took Jack out this afternoon he was having some "tummy troubles" in the front yard of course. He then began a lot of scooting and I knew something was wrong. I called the vet and they got us right in. It is no small task to load and unload two children and a dog and get inside the vet with no one tangled in the leash or knocked over. Jack has a little anxiety about going to the vet, because let's face it, what good has ever happened to him there. Today I was very thankful that Grant was on his feet and not crawling. Do you know how much animal hair he would have swept up?! Eww.

We finally get into the examination room. Jack is calm. Grant is now trying to crawl onto the examination table. Elizabeth has asked me at least five times when she can play with Lauren. This doctor's visit is apparently messing with her social schedule! The doctor comes in and starts asking the routine questions and then asks if Jack has been around other dogs or perhaps a groomer (Jack has a fresh haircut). I say, "oh no, my husband does the grooming!" Then I have to admit that we are concerned that perhaps Brandon cut him when trimming under the tail area. My face was probably red. Being a mother is a lovely job, not only do you get to talk to the pediatrician about your kids bm's and privates, but now I get to discuss my dog's private areas with our vet! After a brief examination it was determined that his anal glands were full and needed to be expressed. Fellow dog owners will know what I mean and if you don't, there is this thing called google - I am sparing you the details! The vet offered to show me how to do it the future or said groomers would do it as well. I figure Brandon is the master dog groomer at our house, he can deal with this issue next time! Elizabeth's eyes were so wide (ok, so were Jack's) I had to lean down to her level and give her a reassuring rub on the back and a "he's ok." A tube of ointment, an antibiotic, an anal gland release and $130 later we were out the door.

As we were loading up Elizabeth finally asks, "what was he doing to Jack's tail?" Oh my sweet Elizabeth, don't worry, Jack feels better now. Oh Jack, I hope you feel better now!