Daisy Mae X-Ray Saves the Day

Some dogs, like my rat terrier "Chico," are dogs. They act like dogs, smell like dogs and will always be dogs. And some dogs, like "Daisy Mae," [link] are more than dogs. These canines are more human than dog [link] . But the real test is when you learn that your pet needs surgery. Expensive surgery. More-than-a-grand-just-to-get-started surgery. And then you truly discover whether your version of Man's Best Friend [link] is just a dog or something more. During a recent vet visit, Daisy's x-ray [link] revealed a mass of kidney stones - more than a dozen - residing in her bladder. Once the doctor explained the need for immediate surgery, I didn't even glance at the printout estimating the long list of costs involved. Whatever the final bill, I knew I would sit down and write the check, and my 10-pound bundle of joy and companionship [link] would receive whatever medically possible in order to make her all better. After all she is more than a dog; she is a true member of our human family. It was that simple. Sorry, Chico.