[Teresa Ford]

Part 5 Mommy Melt down
March 22, 7:35 am. Deb the office lady handed me a clipboard with consent forms. As I signed, Deb sweet talked Rubin, telling him he was a handsome guy. He refused to look out the screen panel. He pressed himself into the back corner as far as he could go. He was a shaking fur ball of anxiety. He gave another honking cough and turned up the volume on his whining. I laid the clip board on the counter and took a seat on one of the hard plastic chairs. Frightening thoughts about, hemorrhages, Collapsing Trachea, and bad anesthesia, start doing trampoline jumps in my sleep deprived brain. The outside door opens and two laughing women come in. They must be twins or I am seeing double red heads and chins. 'Morning ladies." chirps Deb. They gently sit down a wire crate. Inside is a very pregnant Bull Dog. "Tammy, it is baby day !" says Deb as she hands one lady the clip board. The nurse lady with the Yorkie asks, "Is she having a C-section ?' Both ladies nodded vigorously and one says, "Yes, only way for bullies, you know," and added proudly,"She is having six. I am Molly, and this is my sister Polly. And this is Queen Tammy of Tera" We all made appropriate baby shower, aw sounds. "Are you a nurse dear ?" asked Polly patting her red corkscrew curls. "No," said the nurse lady "I am a nail tech. I am Carol and this is Mia, she is getting her spay." Oh how nice," Molly replied. "We are retired show girls." Both jiggled and giggled, "You know dog show handlers" said Polly. Deb and Carol laughed. I gave a weak smile, as everyone looked at me. Before I could say a word, the back room door opened. Sue our favorite Vet nurse, picked up a clip board and headed toward me. I stood up and Rubin was suddenly deathly quiet. "Hi Teresa, is Rubin ready ?" I shook my head yes, and unzipped the bag carrier. Rubin would not come out. I tried to coax him by talking baby talk. Amazing how fear chases all correct solutions out of my mind. Deb came round the counter and took the zebra bag from me. She held it open so I could use both hands to lift Rubin out. Sue opened her arms to take Rubin. I kissed his little face, told him I loved him and put him in Sues arms. She turned around and the last thing I saw was his beautiful brown eyes and quivering top knot. Then the door closed with a final click. I swallowed a huge lump and pressed a hand to my rolling belly and leaned against the counter and blinked hard. Deb handed me a tissue. Polly or was it Molly? stroked my arm and said "It is the kindest thing...." I looked at her through tears and stuttered, "What do you mean?" Deb burst out laughing," Oh No, he is not being put to sleep. Rubin will be fine, he is just getting a routine dental !"