In a land far, farm away, where it is much colder than it is here, at the home of “G” and “little g”, there was a drama recently that took place concerning a four legged furry family member that might possibly be a lesson for some of us, myself included. It seems that “G” and “little g” had received a package at their home from a land where it was much warmer. It was a Valentine’s Day package and inside were lots of nice things, among which was a big box of chocolates. All the items from the box were put away and the box of chocolates were placed on a table for later consumption. Something came up that “G” and “little g” had to leave the house for several hours. It was at this time that the drama began. It seems that Spike, the four legged furry family member, was left alone and began to be very inquisitive about the heart shaped box on the table.

Upon the return of “G” to the house the first thing he noticed was that the big box of chocolates was no longer on the table, nor was it full. It seems that Spike, being inquisitive about the box, had managed to sample a good portion of chocolates. Being what is normally called a “wiener” dog, it didn’t take too many to fill his little stomach. After the initial shock, “G” began picking up what was left and started reading the box, and it was quickly decided that Spike needed to visit a vet. The vet advised “G” that Spike would be experiencing some symptoms throughout the evening that perhaps “G” really didn’t want all over his living room floor. So it was decided that for a small fee Spike could spend the night at the vets.

When “G” returned the next day to pick up Spike, he was informed about some blood work that needed to be done and there would be another small fee before “G” could return home with Spike. So about $250 later Spike and “G” and “little g” were reunited and returned home. It was apparent that Spike didn’t want anything to do with any chocolates and it would probably be a long time before he sampled any again. Why did I share this story? Well, because I, like Spike, am a chocoholic. Candy, cake, brownies, and anything else that even resembles chocolate, if it gets in my view my hand automatically reaches out and snatches it up and returns it to my mouth. Like Spike, I need to learn to take small portions, and limit my intake, whether it be food, drink, or work, or whatever. It’s a lesson we all need to learn.

All this reminds me of another pet story where a young man’s pet had apparently died and he rushed it to the vet, but the vet told him there was no hope. He didn’t want to hear the news and demanded another opinion and more tests. So the vet called in his lab retriever and had the dog walk around the pet lying on the table. When he finished he looked up at the vet and barked. Then the vet brought in his big yellow tomcat and had the cat walk around and across the body of the deceased pet. The cat looked up and the vet and “meowed.” He turned to the young man and said, “I’m sorry your pet is dead.” The young man dejectedly picked up his pet to carry home for burial. “How much do I owe you?,” he asked the vet. “That will be $400.00,” the vet replied. “Why so much?,” the young man inquired. “Well, replied the vet, you asked for a second opinion, the extra charges are for the labp work and the cat scan.”