Tootsie and the Big Vet Bill, but she's totally worth it

The patient and her loyal attendants. 

I had a completely different post planned for today but the events of last few hours have sent me in a different direction tonight.  There's a big empty field a few minutes from our house and we take the dogs there every weekend for a good long run or two.  Today, the weather warmed up and Glenn and Will took both dogs out there late in the afternoon.  I was making dinner when they came home.  Glenn rushed into the house and yelled that he needed my help, that there was an emergency.  Lately, "emergency" has meant that both dogs have jumped out of the back of the truck (after it's stopped) and are racing down the road, full of glee.  But today as Glenn came into view, I could see that his hands were covered in blood and he told me that Tootsie had a bad cut and we needed to get her to the vet.  After a few minutes of frantic running around, calling the vet, calling other people in mid-level hysteria, wrapping Tootsie in towels, we threw everybody in the truck (except a confused Trigger) and took off for our vet's office.  I sat in the back with Tootsie because I was worried she was in shock and frankly, I wasn't sure if she'd make it to the vet's office.  There was a lot of blood.  Although Glenn proved himself a first-rate dog medic by using his never-been-opened first aid kit that he keeps in the truck and threw a pretty tourniquet around the wound. 

 

Glenn drove like a madman (for once) and we got to the vet's office in record time.  It's been a long time since I rode in the back of a truck.  I didn't remember it being so bouncy but maybe that's because my bones are a lot older.  The vet checked her out and luckily she wasn't in any danger.  He sedated her and we sat with her for a while until he could look at the cut.  It was a whopper and I immediately was no longer hungry for dinner.  It was about 3 1/2 inches long and let's just say that you could see other leg parts inside there.  And to think, I once wanted to be vet.  The kids were so brave - they both looked at the cut and they patted her head.  Will raised his hand to ask the vet when Tootsie could come home (later tonight).  Nobody cried or was unnecessarily dramatic - not even me.  We left so that the vet could get to work and 18 stitches and one healthy vet bill later, everyone is home safe and sound and all's well that ends well. 

This is Tootsie on drugs. Humble dog.