Nick is playing with his new monster action figures and holds up the grim reaper, saying in a deep voice, "NO ONE CAN DEFEAT DEATH!"

Then he accidentally drops the grim reaper on the floor.

As he scurries to retrieve it I hear him add, "Oh no...except maybe the scary giant Frieda dog!!!"

*****

Meanwhile, Frieda just ran in from outside with a ball in her mouth, which she dropped hopefully in front of the cat (who hates her beyond measure). Apparently she's hoping the kitty will play with her and they can finally be friends.

Tonight JR was playing with Frieda and noticed that her cheeks were really swollen, and she kept rubbing her face against things as if it was itchy. Her right eye was really swollen too.

I gave her some Benadryl and we took her to the doggie hospital. By the time we got there the swelling had gone down a bit. The doctor gave her a shot of steroids and sent us on our way, my purse $145 lighter. She most likely had a run-in with a stinging insect.

When we got home Rob's mom said I should go check on Nick because he was very upset. For school he's reading Where the Red Fern Grows and tonight while we were gone he read the part where the dogs die. I remember reading that book as a kid and crying my guts out. And here poor Nick was waiting to find out if his own dog was going to be okay at the same time! Needless to say I let him get out of bed and play with Frieda for a little while.

Anyway, my plans for the evening didn't include rushing off to the puppy ER. But at least Frieda is okay.

ETA: Speaking of the trials and tribulations of pet ownership...Last night I headed to bed, way later than I should have and in a grumpy mood. I walked into my room and saw, smack dab in the middle of my bed, a huge pile of fresh cat shit. Because, you know, washing sheets in the middle of the night was EXACTLY what I wanted to be doing...