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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

The Best Kids Gift Ever

You are going to have to read a long way through before the title of this post makes sense, but it isn't false advertising. I also promise this is going to be my last post about my dog...for now. However, this was a big deal to me. Hey, it's my blog anyhow!

I have a secret confession. Actually anyone who knows me would laugh to think I claim this is a secret. It's probably pretty obvious. Here it goes: I've never been entirely comfortable with my decision to decline my veterinary school acceptance. Alright in all honesty, I'm very uncomfortable with it. I know it was the right decision at the time, but it was hard. It still is.

One of the ways this discomfort has manifested itself has been my avoidance of Tufts. I volunteered there for over two years. It is the school that I would love to attend school day. Getting in there was a huge honor to me, and it still is. It therefore seems kind of funny, that it is such a big deal for me to consider volunteering there again or at the very least to donate unneeded linens. For the record, I do the latter, but as a drop and run. My stomach always starts to feel really funny, because every time I see the students, I think about what it would have been like and where I would be in my veterinary career if I had gone. I have never wavered on my desire to be a vet.

In addition to my difficulty in dealing with Gandalf's illness, I had all this extra baggage when I took him to the ICU. One of the veterinary students who attended to him went to my college and is a 4th year student just like I would have been. It was hard for me not to feel jealous and, okay I'll admit it, a little intimidated by her. However, spending time at Tufts four days straight has helped me overcome my fear and discomfort. I brought Gandalf back to Tufts today for an ultrasound, and when we left I realized how comfortable I felt there and how much I still really want to be part of it some day. There weren't any GI issues (for Gandalf or me).

Of course that didn't mean that there weren't other challenges with the trip. While my older son (OS) was in preschool when I dropped Gandalf off this morning, I took my younger son (YS) with me. He had a complete meltdown because I wouldn't let him eat the dog treats on the counter. After calming him down, I was left with a dilemma. I had Gandalf's leash in one hand, my non-walking son in my other arm, and I needed to sign papers. At the same time, Gandalf and two other dogs were doing Christmas caroling; at least their barking fest sounded like the dog version of Jingle Bells that I occasionally hear on the radio, with the exception that the dogs on the radio bark on-key. YS thought this was hilarious. (He was right.) This led me to believe I could safely put YS down on the floor for a split second to sign the papers. Almost as if he had been waiting for this moment, Gandalf stepped on YS, who acted as if both his arms and legs had been broken. He put up such a fuss that people came to see what was wrong. A very nice vet offered to hold "him" while I signed the papers. I wasn't sure if she was referring to the dog or the baby. I gave her Gandalf. Like my decision on vet school, I struggled with the decision. Unlike my decision on vet school, I am not sure that I made the right choice. However, it allowed me to complete the paperwork, leave the dog, and take the boys back to the car.

Speaking of questionable choices, I took both boys with me when I went to pick Gandalf up. Fortunately, they were very well behaved. OS even wore his Oscar the Grouch shirt from Suzanne and her hubby especially for the trip. OS was very impressed by the Gandalf's veterinarian. He was also intrigued by the temporary leash on Gandalf. It's one of those free ones that all animal clinics have. He started to ask a few questions. The vet asked him if he would like to have the leash. His eyes got wide and a huge smile broke out on his face. So yes, out of all of OS's holiday gifts (we distribute as he gets them from relatives), this is his very favorite gift. While it is not unusual for him to pretend to be a vet, he is now walking his stuffed animal patients (and in a few cases, Gandalf before I intercepted him) into our living room "waiting room" to meet their owners.

A. Elliot's Lesson Learned: The best gifts are free.

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posted by Alex Elliot @ 5:57 PM   5 comments
5 Comments:

  • At 12/13/2007 2:33 AM, Blogger Suzanne said…

    That's very cute and I'm glad he likes the shirt. I'm actually sending the kids a book tomorrow, assuming I survive a trip to a New York City post office during the holiday season. :) Glad things are looking up!

     

  • At 12/13/2007 5:32 PM, Blogger Mrs. Chicky said…

    Just keep telling yourself that you'll be a student there one day. You will. And then I'll be able to bring my dogs to you!

    We'll have to talk one day about volunteering at Tufts. I'm really interested in what I can do to help.

     

  • At 12/13/2007 5:34 PM, Blogger Worker Mommy said…

    You will get it done. Absolutely. Trust that you will and don't worry there is time. I know it's cliche but better late then never.

    Ok, and just what does OS do with that leash ? ;)

     

  • At 12/13/2007 9:17 PM, Blogger Kami said…

    Hi Alex,

    I find that too with kids... it's the most obscure thing that they get the most enjoyment out of.

    and Jack is having surgery on his eye to straighten it. It turns in about 35 degrees and because of that he cannot focus both eyes together.

    More here if you are interested:

    http://wer4.blogspot.com/search/label/strabismus

     

  • At 12/14/2007 10:54 AM, Blogger skiplovey said…

    Sounds like you'd make a great vet! And it sounds like you've passed along your love for animals onto your kids, which is also a wonderful gift.

     
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Name:Alex Elliot
Home:MA, United States
About Me:Professional Mom of two cats, a dog, an ant farm, and oh yeah...two boys: a 6 year old and a 3 year old. Also found in my house is my husband who is known on this blog as The Big Giraffe.
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