The dogs annual trip to town

 Took the boys (aka Stanley and Huckleberry) for their annual trip to the veterinarian for their shots and check-up. It was particularly satisfying to take Stan, since three years ago this vet's prognosis for him was 2 weeks to 2 years to live with his cancer. She also recommended amputating his leg where the first cancer was found. But now he's going on 12 years old, a lot slower, a little grayer, and still has all four legs.

Though she might've called that one wrong (thankfully), I like our vet. She does a good job of explaining things and isn't in a rush to get out of the exam room.

However, things have changed there. They are still COVIDphobes at the clinic and have new procedures. Well, new since we were there last March.

You call from the parking lot when you arrive. A tech comes out and takes the dogs inside, one at a time. Then the doc calls you when both are done, explains stuff, answers questions, then transfers the call to the front desk which takes your credit card number over the phone.

It's actually pretty slick and quicker as they don't leave you sitting in the exam room with your dogs waiting for doctor. 

The boys are always very good. They know the routine. We walk in, sit and wait. Then they hop on the scale and we go to the exam room.

That's what Huck, the basset hound, thought was going to happen this time until he arrived at the door and noticed Stanley and I were still standing back beside the pickup. That's when the 65-pounds of muscle and torque decided he wasn't flying solo on this mission. It was funny. I thought he was going to pull the poor tech lady to New Underwood and there wasn't much she could do about it. So Stanley and I went to the door like we were going in too. Huck fell for it, as he's not the brightest bulb, and walked in while we turned around. What happened after that, I'm not sure, but he and they survived.

The doc called after both guys were done. Said Stanley had lost three pounds and Huck had gained them. Since they both get the same amount of exercise, I'm sure Stanley's loss is due to his cancer and Huck's gain is due to middle age.

But now everybody in the house is vaccinated and ready to party like it's 1999.