Doggie Roomies

We had a little visitor for 5 days this past week.  While his Mommy and Daddy were up north getting hitched, this little Yorkie spent quality time with his new buddy, Echo.

 

Sharing the only sunny spot together in the house

First night away from Mom and Pops

  

"So, what do you think?  Nice view, huh?"

On their way to doggie daycare

Moron of the Year

Yesterday, in the midst of Grey's Anatomy killing some time before heading to my parents house for dinner, then to the airport for my upcoming business trip, I sewed a button back on a pair of shorts.  An hour later, I saw Echo trying to pick something up off the ground with his mouth.  I went closer, and saw that it was half a needle!  If you are a regular follower, you'd remember that Echo had swallowed 1.5 sewing needles last October.  I immediately said "sh*t!" and thought, not again!!  I immediately searched for the other half, but couldn't find it.  Then, I took out the set of needles and counted. There were 8 slots, so 2 in each slot - 16 total.  I counted only 15.

I looked at J...asking him what we should do.  "You're sure there should be 16 needles", he said.  "Yes, that would make sense.  There are 8 slots, 2 for each which equals 16."  We had to make a decision.  We could continue to search for the needle, but risk the other half traveling further down his throat if he did swallow it, or we could take him to the ER immediately for a peace of mind.  We decided to drive the 33 miles to the ER.

When we got there, Echo was shaking furiously, barking at anyone who walked through the doors and hiding under the bench where we sat in the exam room.  I guess he remembered his previous visit which wasn't very pleasant.  The whole process took 2.5 hours mostly spent waiting while playing Candy Crush.  We had to wait for someone to come in to get our information, then to take his vitals, then to get estimates on how much it would cost, then to take x-rays, then finally to give us the diagnosis.  I eventually pushed my flight out to the next morning because I wasn't going to make it.

They took 5 x-rays - no needle.  Though relieved, we thought, "Now we have to turn the place upside down to find the other half for a peace of mind."

We paid the $411 bill and left - ouch.  When we got home, J pulled out the flashlights and we began our search retracing Echo's steps.  After about 20 mins, the only thing we found was how much dust collects in areas where I don't sweep as much and earthworms and bugs crawling in the mud.  Disgusting.

Deflated, I looked at the half needle that I found again and wondered...could this be the SAME half needle that I kept from the last time and it had fallen out of the sewing box when I pulled it out of the drawer?  I pulled out the set of needles again and dumped them all out carefully on a piece of tissue.  1, 2, 3, 4.....15.  One is STILL missing...OR, was there supposed to only be 15 needles?  I immediately jumped online and searched for the packet that I had purchased.  Singer 15 Count Self Threading Hand Needles.

Fifteen.  FIFTEEN!  I had one of those surreal moments where everything that has just happened flashes quickly through your mind.  The initial panic, driving to the vet, Echo nervous, waiting and waiting, paying for the exam, searching with flashlights...Why didn't I confirm that there were 15 needles vs. assuming?  Well, 8 slots for 2 needles in each slot - doesn't that make sense?!  A huge amount of guilt swept over me as I relived what I put my precious baby through over the past 2.5 hours.  Another level of guilt consumed me further as I realized how much time and money I had wasted.

Just look at his face.  I am a horrible doggie Mommy.