It has been an interesting six months in my household.
Girlfriend became gravely ill with an auto-immune disorder immediately before last November's annual South Dakota pheasant hunt and male bondage weekend. What followed was a stint in canine ICU. For a short spell her survival was very much touch and go. Months of treatment with steroids followed.
So a partially-trained Labrador retriever pup was called off the bench to fill-in. Sister took her big sister's place.
Following that, someone at deer camp suggested that Sister looked 'pigeon-toed.' I thought - Huh? As it turned-out Sister was, in-fact, 'pigeon-toed' and she had a veterinary orthopedist surgically realign her angular limb deformity with an external fixator.
In the midst of all of this I spent three days in the hospital for a hip replacement.
We were beginning to think that three-fourths of the household was cursed. We had some funky Si Chi working for us and money was flowing out the door in a torrent.
We were going to the dogs.
Here is what I have learned. Lest you want to be cursed do the following:
It is a good policy to keep your personal health insurance policy fully-paid and on-time. Hip replacements are expensive. Furthermore, some have suggested I should have insured my dogs. Yeah, I understand that veterinarians can be costly too, but I remain unconvinced that health insurance for pets is worth the outlay.
Besides, the flow of Chi has improved and spring is upon us. I have resumed all of my normal activities, Girlfriend is drug-free, bulked-up, buff and sassy. She's her normal self. And after three exceedingly long months - Sister finally had the hardware removed from her arm and is gradually being returned to a normal level of activity.
As further evidence of a return to the harmonious state of normal our delicate flower Girlfriend's flatulence has become more eye-watering. And the chick magnet - Sister's - snoring has become more sonorous. Some readers might conclude that we've still gone to the dogs.
I'd like to think it reminds me of deer camp...
Edit to add: Keep your dental insurance paid-up or start a sinking fund for unplanned events. A root canal procedure will stab you for a cool grand.