some Christmases are forgettable
Some holidays are forgettable or so much the same that nothing causes them to stand out from any other... This Christmas Eve moment is forever etched in our family's history... all because our female dog wouldn't eat.
Seems benign enough, unless its not... and she doesn't eat/drink for the 2nd day... We thought it was rat poison she found. For dehydration reasons we called the vet Christmas Eve.... I know, the murphy's law of it! Call me naïve, cause pet care is as costly as human care! And we didn't have pet insurance!!
Seriously!?!$ Just the visit was 90$, solution under the skin cheaper than IV stuff $135, the test for parvo $40, overnight stay with IV, anti queasy meds, antibacterial and care - $1100!! The test came back positive, so statistically she had a 20% chance of survival through Christmas at home with us the cheap way!!
Seriously!?!$ 8 year old: "I'm sad mom, will Charlie die? I'm bored, when will we know if she is gonna die?" as he bounces his ball against the wall, thuwump thuwump thuwump. Dad: Who was extremely balking with prejudice! at spending $200, let alone $1100 on a dog! On Christmas Eve no less! And dealing on 4ish hours of sleep from driving home to be with his family on Christmas Eve from having been out of town at work.
13 year old: Red eyes, holding back tears, spittin' fire at his brother's thuwump, and stupid to him questions. Sassin' disrespectfully on Dad's stress over the money and of Mom allowing Dad to not care and little brother to be so irritating. Mom: Trying to keep everyone from imploding all over each other and on the workers on Christmas Eve all together in the Pet ER! And to somehow salvage and positive spin on the situation!
Decision? It's Christmas, and Christmas is for the kids, and it's important for them and to them... and will forever be remembered in history how this night turns out....
1. Money is money... it will come and go and there is always more and we always find a way. (The relationship I want to have with money)
2. There are important moments for children where they needed the parents to listen so the circumstance isn't as traumatic, yet most parents aren't aware and so inflict the higher degree of trauma. And future counseling for their children.
3. Things happen, life is, and yet it has always worked out one way or another, so there is no reason it wouldn't now somehow...
On the way home without the dog, the 8 year old has a hot chocolate, the 13 year old is silently contemplative, the Dad disgusted and worried... Mom says just these 3 things to all 3, hoping they all hear.... so now..... on to Christmas Eve duties!