Z Money

My sister and I share custody of an eleven year old terrier mutt named Zoe, a.k.a. Z Money because she's expensive. Over the years, Zoe has developed a number of medical conditions including diabetes, Cushing's disease, and an enzyme deficiencies that makes it difficult for her to digest food properly. She's also blind (from the diabetes).

Whenever we mention a trip to the vet to our family and friends or have to cut dinner short to get home and give Zoe a shot, we always get the same look. It's very distinct and very specific. It says, quite bluntly, two things: one, you are an amazing person for taking such great care of a poor, helpless animal, and two, how is that dog still alive? The second part is usually less about astonishment and more about a certain suggestion.

Nine months ago we took Zoe to our parent's house for the weekend. She'd dropped a pound and lost some hair because we couldn't get her insulin regulated. Side note - a pound is a big deal to Zoe. The first words out of my mother's mouth when we walked through the door, "You need to put her down."

While Zoe is old and her health isn't exactly perfect, she's not that bad off. She's happy and pain free and still gets feisty over a tennis ball. But because so many of our friends and family are interested and concerned about Zoe's health, I've decided to start blogging about it. After all, the world and I both need another blog.

Finally, to all you pet owners out there who take the care of your pet seriously, the next time you write a check to your vet just remember, it could always be worse. Stay tuned and I tell you how.