June 4, 2016
-
It Might be Easier to Have Kids
When we finally resigned ourselves to the fact that we were hopelessly besotted with the two vagabonds,
Molly
and
Sadie, we proceeded to get them vaccinated. Our county requires a rabies vaccination and proof of sterility. Intact dogs cost $96 a year while "fixed" dogs cost $15. A senior discount brings it down to $9/year for qualifying elders.
The vet could not locate a scar on Sadie and so, would not issue a certificate of sterility. For a mere $170 they offered a hormone test that might provide the required evidence. Otherwise, they would cut into a perfectly healthy dog to see if she had female parts intact. Neither option sounded ideal so we decided to wait to license her until we could determine definitively that she was all there. I figure she will come into season within a month or two at which time we can have her spayed. If not, well, I may have to bribe a vet to give me a cert. (I've since found a more experienced vet who had no difficulty determining that Sadie too has been spayed.)
I went online and grappled with the county's web site and after some machinations, managed to submit the application for Molly with the appropriate certifications attached. There was no indication that they wanted proof of age on the web page but later I got a request and emailed a copy of my mom's ID.
A few days later, animal c0ntrol officers were canvasing the neighborhood for unlicensed dogs, and we confessed that we were waiting to license Sadie but had already applied online for Molly. We provided copies of the required certs and were issued a temporary license for Sadie. It turned out to be propitious timing as we were at the 15 day limit from the date of adoption (based on the date of their vaccinations) AND we were entitled to a $50 voucher towards spaying Sadie within the next two months.
So, today, I got a letter in the mail asking for Molly's certifications AGAIN. ~sigh~ Really, I don't think the county even requires a license to adopt a kid, and I'm pretty sure they don't require proof of sterilization, rabies shots maybe. So, half way through my evening's glass of red wine, I composed a response that was meant to be funny but in the re-reading just sounded ...well, exasperated. I have a feeling my dealings with the county building department lately have frayed my normal equanimity. That's a story too long and boring to tell but suffice it to say, this county takes petty bureaucracy very seriously.
Are they adorable or am I just biased?
Comments (16)
The dogs look health, and very happy to be part of your family.
Congratulations on keeping two hairy drooling bitches. You should be proud. I always considered that "fixed" is a poor choice of words -- "broken" would be more to the point.
Clearly you need goats. The mutts are spoiled and useless unless you employ them as shepherds.
Great looking dogs! I love that the doghouse has a/c, but I imagine you'll need it this coming summer!
I think they are perfect! I'm biased toward Border Collies and that is what Molly looks like. Sadie must be a smart shepherd to have picked Molly to hang with. I'm glad they have a home with you!! (And I do hope you can find a vet to certify Sadie's reproductive status.)
@Crystalinne: Young animals are such a joy to watch. Their athleticism, enthusiasm, and unabashed affection are irresistible.
@we_deny_everything: I suppose "fixed" should only be applied to males?
@slmret: The thermometer on the back porch reads 120 as we speak. I took them for a walk at 6:00 this morning and it was already 80. I may have to move out your way to get any exercise this summer.
@murisopsis: I did find an experienced vet who had no trouble finding her stitches. He also commented on how muscular she was. I felt flattered figuring those long walks in the river bottom and hills were partly responsible for that.
I'm not sure that moving here would gain you very much -- at 7 pm today it's about 95 outside! Better than 120, but not very cool, and it's not as dry here as where you are because we're close to the sea!
Oh, I feel better now. Misery loves company, you know.
Hi Judy! I was just thinking I hadn't heard from you in awhile and wanted to say hello and see if you were staying cool this summer. We are in a heat wave - it has been running in the 90s with 80 to 90% humidity. It is pretty miserable and our garden has melted. The tomatoes are ripening but the leaves of the plants have wilted and turned yellow. I'm thinking they will join the defunct peas and beans... Hope your garden has done better! Give Molly and Sadie pats on the head from me.
They are adorable! I can imagine a hassle in this city as well. I don't have dogs any more. Just my 2 old birds.
@BLB: I'm at the stage where I worry about adopting pets who will outlive me. Depending on what kind of birds you have, that could be a real concern for you too. I need to look for someone to adopt so I can be sure my "kids" will have a good home when I'm gone.
@murisopsis: Sadie has indeed been certified as spayed. Whoever lost them must have cared for them enough to give them a good start in life. They must have had a terrible tragedy in their lives to be forced to abandon them. I wish I could tell them that they are loved.
@murisopsis: My garden, like yours, died a premature death. The only thing that really thrived was the butternut squash, which grows like a weed. All of my plants were volunteers from the compost pile and I've got 4o viable squashes.
I've had both birds 20 yrs. now. The cockatiel has outlived it's 17 yrs. Hopefully my avian vet could help daughter find a home should something happen to me.
There will be no more pets when they are gone.
Comments are closed.