Post by Dabeagle on Dec 13, 2017 17:12:59 GMT -5
Well folks, I can't lie to you - it's been a hard year around here. We've lurched from one crisis to another and I say that literally. At the tail end of last year leading into this year we had our oldest dog, Dante (Italian Greyhound) develop a mass on the side of his face which was initially assumed to be a tumor, potentially cancer. After a heart wrenching couple of weeks it was determined to be an infected cyst which was lanced and cleaned. Of course it then got re-infected and burst in January, just after we'd been given meds to deal with the sudden recurrence of the swelling on the side of his face. That sent us to the emergency vet and I think by now you have some sense of the emotional, not to mention monetary stress this created.
Then we got into the issue that occurred between my oldest boys. I have deleted my thread for their sake and won't rehash it here, but it was months of pure hell. Agencies treating us like criminals, kids included, putting a hold on our adoption...it was hell. From there we jumped right into a leaky pipe that created 4k worth of damage and a mold problem in our bathroom. We ended up having to replace the floor, enclosure, etc. As you may begin to notice the debt is adding up and the stress was through the roof.
Then our beagle, Chance, had been dealing with a cough for about a 9 months by this time. We'd gone through various methods of treatment up to ordering an inhaler from Canada because it was nearly 300 bucks here. Next step was to put him under and take a sample from his lungs to figure out what the infection was - but wait! He has a heart murmur. Then he tore his other ACL. No surgery until he gets checks out by a cardiologist. We just didn't have the money for either. It's a horrible feeling to know someone that depends on you won't get what they need; that you can't provide it.
Then we had good news as we completed our final adoption in August. We paid down an account and were able to get Chance to the cardiologist - 500 bucks, but his heart is okay. Then my company threw the biggest kick in the balls it could short of firing.
My job has a company vehicle, one that for the last 12 years (for me, for others much, much longer) has been classified for unlimited personal use. I could use it to go to the grocery, kids games or appointments, even vacation. It negated the need for a second car and the expenses that go with it. As of January 1 that goes away. 30 days notice to go buy a car. They 'compensated' us with 3k. 1200 of that goes to just a year of insurance.
Needless to say, I can't wait for this year to end. It reminds me of my father who, every New Year's Eve without fail, would hoist his glass and pronounce the old year to have been crap and good riddance - and to add hopes for a new year. I find myself thinking the same thing.
There will be some nice treats for you though, dear reader, to end our year. I have a story from Elliot's POV for Sanitaria Springs coming soon (by Xmas I hope) and I have received an edited version of a story I took aliking to when it was being posted to Nifty, and the author has decided to bring it here. I hope you enjoy 'How I Got Carter' which will begin posting shortly.
Oh, and hey, let's hope for a good 2019 shall we?
Then we got into the issue that occurred between my oldest boys. I have deleted my thread for their sake and won't rehash it here, but it was months of pure hell. Agencies treating us like criminals, kids included, putting a hold on our adoption...it was hell. From there we jumped right into a leaky pipe that created 4k worth of damage and a mold problem in our bathroom. We ended up having to replace the floor, enclosure, etc. As you may begin to notice the debt is adding up and the stress was through the roof.
Then our beagle, Chance, had been dealing with a cough for about a 9 months by this time. We'd gone through various methods of treatment up to ordering an inhaler from Canada because it was nearly 300 bucks here. Next step was to put him under and take a sample from his lungs to figure out what the infection was - but wait! He has a heart murmur. Then he tore his other ACL. No surgery until he gets checks out by a cardiologist. We just didn't have the money for either. It's a horrible feeling to know someone that depends on you won't get what they need; that you can't provide it.
Then we had good news as we completed our final adoption in August. We paid down an account and were able to get Chance to the cardiologist - 500 bucks, but his heart is okay. Then my company threw the biggest kick in the balls it could short of firing.
My job has a company vehicle, one that for the last 12 years (for me, for others much, much longer) has been classified for unlimited personal use. I could use it to go to the grocery, kids games or appointments, even vacation. It negated the need for a second car and the expenses that go with it. As of January 1 that goes away. 30 days notice to go buy a car. They 'compensated' us with 3k. 1200 of that goes to just a year of insurance.
Needless to say, I can't wait for this year to end. It reminds me of my father who, every New Year's Eve without fail, would hoist his glass and pronounce the old year to have been crap and good riddance - and to add hopes for a new year. I find myself thinking the same thing.
There will be some nice treats for you though, dear reader, to end our year. I have a story from Elliot's POV for Sanitaria Springs coming soon (by Xmas I hope) and I have received an edited version of a story I took aliking to when it was being posted to Nifty, and the author has decided to bring it here. I hope you enjoy 'How I Got Carter' which will begin posting shortly.
Oh, and hey, let's hope for a good 2019 shall we?
