Reset Button

Ok, so when Roscoe is in the midst of blood curtling screams and absolutely nothing we do can calm him down I try hit the Reset Button for him which is just making a complete change of some sort. A walk around the block (even if its raining), going to a quiet and dark room or turning on some music, etc. Whatever is a change from what was going on. Just to pull him out of the screaming space and see if we can fall into another space that works better.

I tried to use the vet as my Reset Button this morning. Things are feeling pretty crappy at the moment, but they feel way crappier when I get stuck and can't see past the crappy. Things hit a ridiculousness on the way to the vet that made me just have to step back and think that this is actually hilarious. To look past the crappy and embrace the absurdity of the situation enough to giggle even if only internally. Let me paint the picture:

Me: No makeup, in pajamas, covered in spit up. Can't remember if I brushed my teeth this morning but chances are no. Sleep deprived and frustrated. Having a severe Niacin flush - all burning up and bright red blotchy face and neck.

Roscoe: Screaming at full force. Will not eat. Will not sleep. Will not play.

Mela: Butterball herself limping to the car in the rain. She is afraid of the rain so she is shaking.

Me in the rain trying to get Roscoe in the back seat while he screams and hoist Mela into the front seat while she shakes. Mela and I are pretty soaked, Roscoe has wet patches where the rain has snuck in.

Arrive at vet. Park and try to feed Roscoe (I pumped a bottle because I knew he would want to eat precisely when I could not feed him). He refuses and continues screaming. Mela continues to shake, but wag her tail (she's a sweet little thing). Give up as meter maid approaches so I don't get a ticket. Feed the meter, get Roscoe into the sling trying not to get him too wet, coax Mela down. Just in time for the meter maid to pass. Walk through construction to vet. Rain seems to calm Roscoe temporarily. I hold my breath.

Enter packed waiting room with bright red face and limping dog. In my pajamas. Roscoe resumes screaming. I can't hear the woman trying to check me in. I am still attempting to shush and pat and bounce Roscoe and offer my pinkie or the bottle. Nothing appeals to him. Woman doesn't even check me in and ushers me to one of the rooms to wait. Finally calm Roscoe enough to start the eat/fuss ritual (see previous post). Vet comes in and tries to have an adult conversation with me as I stand and bounce and pat and shush and Roscoe fusses. Mela just wags and cuddles, no doubt hoping for a treat... you get the idea. Finally he just stops talking and says "I don't want to overwhelm you, you obviously have a lot going on right now." I just smile and nod and tell him to do whatever he thinks is best as I bounce myself around the room.

It really was a ridiculous moment, but we all survived and just think how fun that story will be someday to tell. (Or to forget when the happier memories crowd it out). Either option is ok with me. Really sometimes all I can do is laugh and hope the next 5 minutes are a little calmer. Which they were. Now I am bouncing (on an exercise ball at least) and shushing Roscoe to sleep in the sling (with a blanket over him because I am trying to eat and always spill on him) and typing away in between bites. Now this isn't such a bad way to spend a rainy afternoon.

Let me now give you an update on our vet visits. Ikaika is doing better. His bloodwork, etc. came back pretty clean. No major issues, thankfully, just a low thyroid which we need to keep an eye on. His tumor will need to be removed when he is neutered (sooner rather than later I was told). He is on antibiotics for his doggy cold/flu and is slowly being reintroduced to dog food. The vet thinks Mela has arthritis in her hips and a recurring soft tissue injury that aggravates her existing pain. We are going to try some pain killers for her and see how she tolerates them for 5 days and then go from there. She also needs to lose weight. Since she is in pain, we can't really increase her activity so we need to cut back her food (she already gets less than she is "supposed to" according to the dog food package and way less than Ikaika eats. She is not going to be happy. And we need to have a chat with Lolo about his Costco size dog treats and encourage moderation. If she doesn't lose weight she will basically be causing irreversible damage. I think it is kind of cute that Mela and I are both trying to lose weight. Maybe we can make a little sticker chart for our progress and decide on a reward at the end (new toy for Mela and new pants for me perhaps?)

And after all of the drama this blog has been the best Reset Button of all. Last week I was bawling because I thought Ikaika had some terrible disease and I was calling the pediatrician because I was worried about Roscoe. This week I have the luxury of just being annoyed because I know everyone is fine. I'll take it!