Where has the customer service gone?

Well, I'm here! And I'm feeling pretty good this morning, which is a miracle! It's been a couple of tough days, and I finally have some time to share the story. First—everyone is OK—we're just getting older. 

You'll remember me telling you that our vet retired last year, and we were very sad because they had served us well through various dog family members - Badger, Sparky, and Sammy. And then, of course, our current two crazy girls - Murphy and Lexi. I made eight dog-themed quilts for the staff as I was so happy with them and their service. 

When looking for a replacement vet, I "wisely" chose the one nearest our house so I could walk the girls there for appointments instead of taking the car. The first time I went, last year, I wasn't overly impressed because when they went to take blood work so we could renew Murphy's medication for her weak bladder, instead of taking the blood work in the same room, they whisked her to the back, where I heard her squeak. She is never one for liking needles. It's in those traumatic moments that I think the pet is happier when they can see Mom. 

I had asked multiple times to set up an appointment for Lexi, whose records had been transferred at the same time. That appointment has never happened. Five requests in one year and no appointment. 

About a month ago, Murphy slipped when coming up the basement steps. She just likes to take things at full throttle. That slip frightened her and us, and I took her to the vet on the Monday (it happened on Saturday night). Every time I went to that new vet, we saw a different person. This fellow walked in, took Murphy's heart rate, grabbed her legs, and made her cry out, checked her ears and eyes, and probably a couple of other things. I had initially gone there to get her some pain meds and anti-inflammatories, as it was obvious that she wasn't comfortable. 

That vet must have spent maybe two minutes in the room, and then waltzed out. He came back with a model of a dog's knee joint and suggested that she had torn her ligament and that surgery was necessary to repair it. It's not that I wouldn't do it, but Murphy is an older dog and prone to hip and back-leg injuries, and older dogs have more risk with surgery. He recommended X-rays the next day, and I said I wanted to wait and see how the meds worked. 

That was it. I got the X-ray estimate ($800) and an appointment time (again) from the receptionist. I told her that I wanted to wait a couple of days, and she said, "no problem." Imagine my surprise when I got home, and I had an appointment booked for the next day for X-rays. Good grief -- I had said NO twice. 

So I called the next morning to cancel that. But I was told - don't wait too long, or we will have to charge you another exam fee if I wanted to go ahead with the X-rays. 

Now I just happen to be going through the same thing, and I was told that X-rays do NOT tell if there is a tear in a ligament and that ultrasounds or even better, an MRI, are the way to go. The X-ray will identify if the bone is damaged, but not the tendons. So why would I get an X-ray for the dog? I didn't even ask that question. 

So after her two weeks of pain meds, she seemed to be just fine. She was banned from going up or downstairs unless on strict supervision, and then we had to help her up the stairs using a towel under her tummy. Remember that Murphy weighs 25 KGs, so that is a challenge in itself, although we were getting pretty good at it. 

She was getting comfortable and one day tried to sneak up the stairs on her own and had another slight slip. It wasn't nearly as bad as the previous one, but with the already injured leg, she was hurting again. She had no problem going for a walk, although I shortened the walks until I knew she could handle them.  

I did NOT want to take Murpy back to the same vet, so I contacted another vet in the area who was not far away, but I needed to drive. It wasn't a big deal!

OH MY GOSH --- the difference in treatment was the polar opposite of that other vet. The vet came into the room, greeted Murphy like she was her best friend, and started asking me questions. Let's just say it wasn't my finest moment. 

That vet spent about 45 minutes with me (I was terribly upset) and explained everything to me, and we talked about the various options for medication and many other things. She suggested that we have blood work done to find out how Murphy was doing and, in the event that surgery was needed, that she could even handle it, as we had talked about the potential complications of surgery in an older pet. This vet also suggested she might have torn ligaments, and I totally forgot to ask if it was just a bruise. 

For me, it was one of those situations when you aren't fine, and someone asks if you are OK. That just started the process, and I couldn't stop crying. I was exhausted from a lack of sleep and by how warmly we were welcomed into this new vet practice. 

Well, Miss Murphy had been pretty calm until the moment when the two young techs came into the room to get blood. I think she was traumatized by the last time, and she wanted nothing to do with them. They would get her positioned, and the moment they went to insert the needle, she moved! They had to bring in a third technician, who was a bit more experienced. She put a skid-proof mat on the floor to prevent Miss Murphy from moving so much, and when she had the opportunity to put that needle in, she didn't hesitate. Poor Murphy had no idea what happened!

One hour and $1 later, we were out of there. Let me explain. This clinic has a sign on their lawn that the first exam is $1. I wasn't expecting them to honor that given the time we spent, but they did. We did have to pay for the bloodwork and the meds, but that makes sense. 

MOM - I get treats at this vet - I LOVE it here!

The vet, by the way, is a youngish woman who was the most amazing person I have ever met. She was compassionate, caring, and gave me a hug because I was so upset. Just too much stress and no sleep - more on that in a minute. 

The entire staff went above and beyond, and they didn't even know us! I was in shock. They had contacted the other vet to have the records transferred, and I got a call to approve it. The poor girl at the interim vet didn't even bat an eye and asked if I wanted to close the files. I said to wait as I was shopping around and didn't know how this new vet would work out. I told her the entire story of why I was moving. She didn't say a word, as I don't think I'm the first one to move. 

Why the huge difference? The vet closer to my house was previously independently owned by a single owner. He retired and sold his business to someone (not sure if it's an investment firm or someone who now owns multiple clinics), but it's all about the bottom line. Get them in, get them out, and charge them as much as you can for services. 

The receptionist at the new vet used to work at the other vet, and she said she no longer works there because of the new ownership. 

I want to say more about the ownership thing in a minute. My lack of sleep stemmed from Murphy struggling to settle. Wait -- she's fine in the day - she likes to be outside, and she likes to sleep - she's older, and that's to be expected, although when it comes to the things she likes - food, water, and walks, she's right there and still wants to be first. So she's still our Murphy. 

But at night, when we brought her into the house, she couldn't settle and would pace and attempt to squeeze into weird places. She wanted to climb on furniture that she never even bothered with. Thankfully, she was not going near the stairs (which are blocked off), but she just couldn't settle. I was afraid she was going to hurt herself or knock something down, so I slept with her. We don't really have a couch suitable for sleeping in the house, so it's been a challenge to find a spot that's comfortable for both of us. 

MOM - I'm way down here in the last bit of shade!

And the other night, we slept in the gazebo because she just didn't want to be in the house. It was horrible. By the way, under different circumstances, that would have been fun. It even rained, and we didn't get wet! It wasn't a heavy rain. 

While I have no problems with her sleeping outside, she is a barker, and I didn't want her waking up the neighborhood if a raccoon came by. Last night, because I couldn't take another night with 3 hours of sleep, we left her in the backyard. When I got up very early this morning (because I went to bed very early last night), I was feeling totally rested! Murphy was fast asleep just outside the patio door! I went out an hour later, and she was still sleeping but in a different spot. Then, around five (when she typically gets up if she's left outside), I brought her in the house, and she went to Lexi's raised bed and slept there on her own for two hours!!! Sigh....................

Perhaps our house can get back to normal now. It's not perfect, and I suspect we will always have to supervise her on the stairs, should we ever let her back on them. She already knew she was in trouble because she went upstairs very rarely and it used to be a nightly thing. But it's the basement stairs that she will miss. But that is life and part of the price of getting old. 

I just let them out for the day, and Murphy comes along in her typical bouncy way, not to be left behind. 

So that was probably way more detail than you needed or wanted to know, but I had to get it out. It's been a long road - the entire month of July and things were good, and then they weren't. Now we wait to see what we will do, and hopefully, the meds and the anti-inflammatories will be enough to keep her happy. As well as restricting her stair activity. 

But the point of this story isn't really about Murphy; it's about who owns what. And it's becoming a major issue in all industries. 

Back in the day, when we had the Mom-and-Pop shops, you knew the owner, and the owner knew you and your family. If you needed something, they were there for you. Then they sold the company, and someone likely didn't even live in the neighborhood bought it. And then maybe someone bought that company out, and now the head office is so far removed from the consumer that they don't even remember they have consumers. 

WAIT -- they do, and all they recognize them for is their money! How can we cut service to our customers and still make them pay? I find it very sad and would never have expected that in a vet business, but it's here! 

It's also a good lesson that if you are NOT happy with something, you need to do something about it. I should have moved the files immediately after our first experience, which was getting Murphy's medication renewed. I did not. I don't feel guilty about it - no major harm was done, but I wish I had been more proactive. Now Lexi will finally get an appointment and life can move on. 

Thanks so much for listening. Things seem to be under control - amazing how much better things look when you have had sleep!

You know what they say about pets emulating their owners. I have my appointment (at last) for my knees today! I'm not sure what I expect from the appointment, but I sure want some answers. Is it the joint or the tendons, and what can be done about them? It's not that I can't walk; it's just that it's becoming uncomfortable. I still get in some decent step counts each day, but nowhere near what I used to. 

I have been getting things done, but at a very slow pace. I feel so much better today that I'm on a roll. And I had to go to the thrift store the other day because I just needed a shopping pick-me-up, which never happens or hasn't happened in a very long time. 

OK -- so I picked up three more puzzles, and I spotted three black tablecloths that I would like to go back and pick the best one. 

But I laughed when I looked at the back of two of the puzzles. Carol had written the date when she did the puzzle and how hard they were. Who is Carol? No idea! But she donated the puzzles to the thrift store. 

Carol's comments about the puzzles

I packed up the butterfly and bug puzzle that was on the table, and I cracked open the next one.

The next puzzle

It's only five hundred pieces, but it's unlikely to ever become a speed puzzle, so I'm not timing myself. Soon, I will need to start practicing, and I'm going to pick one of the puzzles from the last competition and use that to see how I fare. I will NOT be winning any competitions, but it's all just for fun. 

And I'm back at the sewing machine, and I got the fourth block complete. I changed the colors up a bit from the original, but that's OK. 

Down on the Farm by Sew Fresh Quilts

It's looking pretty amazing. And I think I commented on how a couple of diagonal seams and VOILA - you have a horse? Wait until you see what I sewed this morning! OH MY GOSH -- I have no idea how she figured that out, but it's brilliant. 

On that happy note, I'm out of here. Fingers crossed that we have everything sorted out and I can get a lot of work done today, although I have paperwork to address, then a meeting, and that appointment. BUT - that doesn't mean that I won't find time for the puzzle and the sewing machine. 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Thankfully, it was just a dream or was it?

Two curious things happened yesterday - well, one of them was a dream, and it just shows how our brains can twist so many details in one story. 

I woke up angry, which I don't think has ever happened before. I've woken up shaken, or with a racing heart, but never angry. 

Last night, as I was falling asleep, I was going through the list of people who will be attending the next quilting retreat. And I suppose my brain was also preoccupied with some of the global volatility. Please note that no specific individuals were in this dream - they were merely placeholders. 

I was at the retreat, and we still had a couple of hours before we had to leave. However, three members of the next group arrived early and had no issues about coming in and sitting down to chat. Then the rest of their group arrived and also proceeded to enter the retreat house. The next thing I knew, they were working on my jigsaw puzzle (MY jigsaw puzzle!) and then pinning my quilt squares together. They were all throughout the house, and I was angry. 

For whatever reason, the house owners showed up, and neither she nor her husband was phased by the intrusion at all. I was so angry, I was pounding my fists on the table, shouting, I'M SO MAD - in the dream, of course. 

But then I woke up, and well, it was just a dream. But seriously --- that was a bit unnerving. It had nothing to do with the retreat at all, but my brain used the retreat as the venue to showcase my anger! WOW!

The second weird thing that happened concerned the gentleman whom we helped the previous day. As I was walking Murphy, I spotted him across the street. I knew what street he lived on because he told me, and we were on that street. His hood was up on his jacket, but I recognized him because he was wearing the same clothes and shoes as the day before. He must have recognized me as well, even though I had a different dog. He immediately turned around -- we were on opposite sides of the street, going in opposite directions, if that makes sense. 

I walked slowly to see where he was going, and he entered a house on that street. Even though I had a different dog, I was wearing shorts and the same oversized grey sweatshirt as the day before. And let's not forget the orange flowers in my hair! So was he just starting out on his walk? Does he go for a walk and then gets lost? I'm not sure. Was it a hoax, as the dispatcher asked me? DH says, 'Just think of how you helped someone and let it go!' He could have been embarrassed or intimidated. I'm not sure, but it was a bit unusual. 

It was all about Murphy yesterday. After I got both dogs walked, I had to walk Murphy to the vet. The new vet is right beside the grocery store, and they wanted to check her blood pressure and do blood work. That's because of the medication that she has been on for many years. She is no longer on the medication, and everything seems fine. 

I was hoping to see how they take a dog's blood pressure, but alas, the technician took her into the back room, and they did all the work without me seeing a thing! I paid a lot of money for that procedure, and I saw nothing in return. I feel cheated!!! Murphy did NOT want to leave my side, and I heard she was NOT happy as they attempted to get blood from her. Poor thing! The vet will call me with the results later. 

But she got to check out the giant pumpkins at the grocery store. They called these colossal pumpkins, but I have a friend whose son grew pumpkins for the local fair. Although I didn't see them in person, one pumpkin reportedly weighed 650 pounds or something similar. It was huge! Muprhy was still happy to check these ones out. 

MOM -- these balls are too big for me!

The "giant" puffball we spotted earlier in the forest was pretty small in comparison, but for a puffball, it was pretty large. 

MOM - that's a giant puffball

Before we headed home, I popped into the grocery store to get a few things, and I made her wait outside. She didn't say one peep as I walked away and into the grocery store. BUT when I came back, she couldn't stop barking as I approached. We had a brief training session. I swear I need to do that more often, and I used to, but I'm getting a bit paranoid about someone taking her or Lexi if I leave them unattended, so they lose all their training. I guess I'll just have to do it where I can still keep an eye on them.

MOM - I thought you would never come back! 

Look at her. She is entirely still, yet panting and excited like a mad dog! She's just the friendliest and enthusiastic dog I've ever met. 

However, this was a bit of an eye-opener, and this is why my dogs do not receive many treats. This ad for dog treats claims that one tablespoon of peanut butter is equivalent to eating 2 1/4 hamburgers, if you equate it to humans. This is why dogs should NOT eat people's food. I need to show this to DH. 

Interesting claim about people's food and dogs

Muprhy weighs 58 pounds, and she is all muscle - at least she feels like she is all muscle. 

Those two love to play together, and they are hilarious to watch! 

MOM - We love to play together

And there is Miss Lexi, all curled up on the mat outside, quite happy in this cooler weather. 

MOM - I love sleeping on the mat

As for the writing, I am making progress. Not quite as fast as I would like, but it's happening and that's all that counts. I also did some more sewing last night and am working on another block. I swear that when I sewed this quilt, I left all the blocks with many pieces for the end! However, another one is done, and I believe there are five more to go. 

MANY pieces in one quilt block

I also completed some cutting for another project, which meant I needed to tidy up the cutting table. Half of it is clear, and that's a relief. The ironing board is almost clear. There is still a lot of stuff to be put away. All the thread boxes were returned to their spot on the shelf. 

As I was sewing last night, I emptied the little drawer of all the triangles. 

The little drawer is empty

Instead of just grabbing a handful, I sorted them by color and then selected two coordinating colors to sew together. I'm trimming and sewing as I go! 

The cutoff pieces are sorted by color

I also got to work on that project that needed reworking. My brain waffled back and forth with various designs, and I have FINALLY settled on the direction I want to take. I hate when that happens! I mean, I hate it when I keep moving from one idea to another and can't settle on one. Then the deadline looms, and I go for the one that I really wanted all along. Sheesh -- why do we do that to ourselves? 

I may have to set the writing aside for today as I focus on making that item. Thankfully, it's not a big item, but I think it's going to be super cute! 

We attempted one more puzzle in the EXIT Game last night, but it didn't happen. We both said we need to sleep on it. Well, you know where my brain was last night. There was NO room in my head to think about the EXIT game. Perhaps I can figure it out at lunch. 

I even managed to complete some paperwork yesterday. I have more that needs to be done today, and if I can eek a bit out each day to get caught back up, then I can start clearing some of the crap off my desk! 

That's a wrap for today! There are still plenty of things going on, as there always will be, but with fewer time constraints. The only time constraint these days is myself! 

On that note, I'm out of here.

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!