Yesterday, Alice was supposed to go to the vet for her yearly vaccinations. I brought out the carrier and sat it in the living room days before so she would get used to seeing it and not be so worried about it. FAIL.

Alice is too smart. She knew. As soon as she saw that we were getting ready to leave the house, she ran and hid under my bed. I knew she wasn’t going to come out and she didn’t. Not even for treats!

So, I called Jack, Jack came, and I helped him into the carrier. What a dirty trick, I could almost hear his thoughts. He cried and cried all the way to the vet’s office, which is about 30 miles away. It took us an hour to get there because I had to drive slower to avoid cat puke clean-up later. Poor Jack. At one point, he meowed this great big exasperated meow as if to say, Fuuuuck. By the time we got there, he was covered with slobber and had strings of slobber coming off his chin!

I let him out of the carrier as soon as they put us in a room, which was quick. I appreciate that they don’t over-schedule and make us wait. Jack was happy to get out of the carrier but quickly decided to hide under the cabinet. I can’t say I blame him. I wish I could hide under the cabinet when I go to the doctor!

When Dr. Missy came in, Jack immediately came out from under the cabinet. I was shocked that he would do this because he’s afraid of his own shadow at home. If the UPS guy knocks on the door, Jack runs. If he hears a car door slam, he runs. If he hears someone’s voice other than mine or Dad’s, he runs. He rarely comes out from hiding if we have visitors, even if it’s someone he knows like my best friend or my son. So for Jack to come out for Dr. Missy without coaxing, is extraordinary!

Dr. Missy picked Jack up and put him up on the exam table. Jack was calm. Dr. Missy was gentle as she checked his teeth, and his ears, and listened to his lungs and heart. She said he sounded a bit rattly, due to his asthma and probably the ragweed in the air. She gave us a refill of his prednisolone that he gets when his asthma acts up. Dr. Missy talked softly to him the entire time. Jack then got his vaccine and we were done!

After that, we were on our way out the door. Dr. Missy took Jack out to the car for us, saving Dad the work of lugging the carrier down the steps. I appreciate that as much as anything because I worry Dad will fall and I sure can’t carry anything with 2 crutches in my hands.

At check-out, my bill was $50.00 even. The well-check and vaccine was $40.00 and the medication was $10.00. The lady checking out beside me had a total bill of $347.00 and I couldn’t help but wonder what the hell she was paying for!

We never heard a sound out of Jack all the way home. He knew we were headed home, I imagine. Poor thing. He was exhausted when we got home. After he bathed himself, he went to sleep in the corner and never came out until later when it was cat-dinner time. I think going to the vet really let the wind out of his sails, so to speak.

Next month, Alice is going to the vet even if I have to flip my mattress to get to her! I’ll have to go at it differently, I think. In the next couple of weeks, we will go out several times and I’ll be leaving the carrier out in plain sight. She’ll get used to us coming and going without her. By the time her appointment rolls around on the 4th, I’ll be able to put her in the carrier because she won’t be expecting it.

Fingers crossed.