Life of a dog mom

I don't prefer to call myself dog mom (although I don't mind that others do) but for this particular post, I couldn't think of a better title so I just went with what seems to be the popular self description of what many dog people call themselves. Dog mom (it does have an endearing ring to it).

Anyway, on Monday, Lady went in for her senior wellness exam. She was rescued in April of last year and had been completely vetted at the hospital and given up to date shots before she was placed in a foster home. We make sure all our dogs go in for annuals and since it was a full year since her last thorough check up, we made an appointment with our favorite vet who looked after Piri and Bartles to have her checked from head to toe, blood work included. And the night before her appointment, I made a reminder to myself to catch Lady's morning pee to take in.

For days though I was perplexed on how I would catch it. With Piri and Bartles, both boys, it was super easy but Lady gets so low to the ground that I wasn't quite sure how to get a clean sample. But then I spotted a big ole spoon at a Korean grocery store one night, one that doesn't bend (like a ladle) and I thought it would work perfectly to just scoot it under her when she gets down to pee. And guess what? It worked! I was able to get a good enough sample, transfer it to a urine cup, refrigerate it and take it in that evening. I shared the story of this whole pee catching experience with our vet, including all the different advice our Instagram friends shared with us, and we had a good laugh over it.

Lady was poked a few times in her neck during her exam because we had spotted a suspicious lump a few months back. It didn't feel cancerous but you always want to make sure. It was in fact determined to be just a fatty lump but we have marching orders to keep an eye on it in case it grows.

I think Lady was a little alarmed with all the poking and prodding. She was a bit more wide eyed when we got back to the car. An expression that almost read like, "What just happened to me?" I made sure to bring one of her favorite treats and gave it to her in the car and not at the vet's office in case we got other dogs hyper and excited.

We're now just waiting for results and I am hoping they are all good because we were thinking of getting her a good dental cleaning. Let's hope for the best.

Yangkyu and I notice different things about Lady. Still, even though it's already been 10 months with her. The first thing we noticed right away was that she loved to chase airplanes at night. It was the only time we heard her bark. She doesn't do it anymore. I guess they don't interest her as much. But she has thing with trucks or cars that are shaped like a big SUV or even pick ups.

We were at a stop light on our way to the vet's office and there was a truck next to us. aLady propped up and just stared. Before she was just lying down and enjoying the car ride but as soon as she saw the big ole truck, she couldn't take her eyes off it. Like she was desperately trying to get the attention of the driver. It happened another time as well, and even when we were out on a walk one time, she always stops and hangs around big SUVs. 

I know the most important thing right now is the story we are making with Lady, but I sometimes wonder what her story was before. And why she is so fascinated with trucks and airplanes. What do they mean to her? I kept wondering if maybe her former owner drove a truck and she always rode with him. Perhaps it is a fond memory she will always keep with her. 

Only if we spoke the same language, she could let me know.