This Sucks

For a person who is never sick and rarely goes to the doctor, this is going to be a really strange day. Finally contacted my doctor yesterday and have an appointment for this morning. Thank you! He took me seriously which is nice, but also a little scary. Why is my ankle so slow to heal? Why does it hurt just as much as it did when the cast first came off? The range of motion is a lot better, but it sure seems as if it should be working and feeling better than it does. Hate to be a whiner, but I did not want to let things go any longer and then regret that I had not had things checked out sooner. The concern is whether or not the fracture may have shifted after the boot/cast came off. If that is not an issue, I can tough it out. If that IS a problem . . . Not sure if the rest of my body can endure surgery and 6-8 more weeks in a cast. I'm a really positive person, but this is really weighing heavily on my mind.

Then in the afternoon I have my second chiropractic appointment. Maybe I should just pack my lunch and stay at the clinic!

Every time I read negative stories or postings about HMOs, I am so grateful for mine. Oddly enough I have been going to the same clinic since I was a teenager! My father worked for the Federal Government and had Group Health Insurance way back then. When we moved to St. Paul 40+ years ago the family went to the little Como Clinic and I was covered on my father's policy until I left home to get married. David had insurance through the County, but we still went to the same hospital, St. Paul Ramsey where Jess was born. When I went back to work for the state I picked up Group Health again and went back to the same clinic which was now much larger. It later became Health Partners and the hospital name changed to Regions, BUT they are still the same clinic and the same hospital, but both MUCH larger! Several years ago I participated in a phone survey on Health Plans and was surprised that my response to every single question was Very Satisfied. I have been.

Puppy Purchasing - Let The Buyer Beware

Haven't posted a new picture of Bennett for awhile, but this one's a beauty! Ben picked up two Group Seconds a couple of weeks ago, and this is one of the photos. Lovely! Photographer was Callea Photos, and Meg really got a terrific picture, the best one I've seen of my granddog Ben. Ben was sold with the provision that I could breed to him if I wished, which I might do next fall if I can get the details worked out to my satisfaction. Mom would be a nice champion liver female who is Paisley-bred on her dam's side. She still needs to get her health testing done before this is a go. Ben is from an excellent litter and I am eager to see what he might produce.

A question from a reader - . . . can you tell me about what a champion bred pup costs? pet quality and show quality. my friend found a litter of 6 week old dals that are priced at $800 - $1000. they haven't been BAER tested, microchipped or anything. they will not be vet checked before leaving, they will be given their immunizations and that is all. i saw the pictures and they don't even look like normal dal pups, not to mention they all have big pot bellies so i am thinking they probably have worms. i am trying to convince her that is way too much to spend for such a pup and that she should just add a little with it and get one from a reputable breeder so that she can be sure the pup she is getting is of great quality, health and temperament. i don't really know exactly what per say one of your pups would cost but i'd like to give her an idea so hopefully she will realize she is getting, for lack of a better word, SCREWED. thank you!

Sounds like a bad deal to me. The price range quoted would be similar for a pet quality puppy from a well bred litter, but a pup from a responsible breeder would also be BAER (hearing) tested and have had a vet check in addition to the first vaccination and worming (if necessary). (Yes, pot-bellied pups are normally wormy, or worse. I've seen some of those under-nourished pups on several Internet sites.) Also, the parents of a litter from a responsible breeder would have some health testing themselves. An OFA number for hips, BAER testing, perhaps a CERF eye exam, or even better a CHIC number. Because people tend to be impulsive and impatient they often settle for less because they are in a hurry, but these randomly-bred dogs generally cost as much as a quality pup would cost, and you get far less. She should also ask where the pups were raised, why the breeder did the litter, what kind of contract/guarantee will be given, and she could ask for references. If she found this breeder on the Internet and the breeder does not show her dogs, this could easily be one of the Internet puppy mills that sell direct via a website.