On Jan. 29, I at last got to pick up my daughter Kim at the airport.  Kim is still recovering from a pretty invasive operation and needs lots of bed rest, but I am euphoric just to have her in my presence.

We brought along Bear, Kim’s little Chihuahua, who had been our house guest.  As Elaine went in to retrieve Kim, I waited

outside with our granddog aching to hold my girl in my arms.  As they departed the terminal Kim squealed, “How’s my little Bear Bear?”  I released her dog to run to her as I loaded the bags into our car, but don’t fret, I eventually got my hugs in too.  I suppose I can’t blame her for wanting to greet her dog first, after all, she is my daughter.

While at the airport a message was left for me on my home phone.  It was from Stacy, a dear lady I had met at Landrum vet through a friend’s dog I had helped previously.  It seems Stacy’s 80 year old mom is suffering from the onsets of dementia and Sadie, her 2 ½ year old Fiest mix, has a swollen leg and is in pain.  “Could you please help Lennie, Sadie is her whole world and mom is on a fixed income.”  I called and learned that Sadie had an overgrown dew claw that had curled around and penetrated her leg.  “Meet me at Landrum vet tomorrow morning, Stacy, and tell your mom not to worry, I’ll see that Sadie gets the care she needs.”

I notified Landrum vet what was going on, then left to go to Dogwood Farms to visit Soldier.  I told my girls I’d be back for lunch.  Kim wasn’t concerned, she had her Bear Bear.  Just kidding.

At 8:45 the next morning I got to meet sweet little Sadie and I could see why Stacy’s mom was so attached.  “Don’t worry sweetheart,” I said as I rubbed her ears, “we’ll get you fixed up and have you back with your mom in no time.”  I turned to Stacy and said, “you know the rules dear.”  “Yes,” she said smiling, “if I hit the lotto, don’t forget your other kids.”

We went in to see Dr. Maiolo who examined Sadie and said it was just a minor thing.  He clipped Sadie’s dew claw and said, “She should heal nicely and she won’t have any more pain.”  We then had the rest of her claws clipped and I saw to it that she received a full bank of shots just in case.  “Thanks Doc,” I said, “you’re the best.”

“It was just a little thing,” the doc said.

Stacy thanked me as we hugged and then proceeded to take Sadie back to her mom.

I thought about what Tommy had said and I suppose that he was right. It was just a little thing but you couldn’t tell that to Sadie who was going home healthy and happy, and you certainly couldn’t say that to Stacy’s mom who was once again reunited with her whole world.

Thanks for listening.