Cutest Canine

It's time again for the "Cutest Canine" contest for the Des Moines Register. Voting begins April 6 and goes until April 14. Last year a Jack Russell/beagle mix won... and this year another Jack Russell will win - Darrell! On April 6 I will tell you how to log on and vote. Here's the picture I entered into the contest:I think I could win for cutest husband too.

Vet

I took Darrell to the vet today for his yearly checkup and shots. I decided to try a different vet that is closer to our home. I went there because our friend's have gone to this vet for years and had great things to say about the place.

Likes: closer to home, friendly vet assistant, cheaper, vet assistant was great with Darrell, free nail trim, most thorough exam Darrell has ever received

Dislikes: rude receptionist (I'm positive I scheduled the appointment for 10:00, NOT 9:30), no-nonsense vet (I know he's a dog but come on, at least appease the dog mom and speak to my dog, a simple "good boy" would be nice), Sure the shots are the same every year but please tell me what you're shooting into my dog's neck next time, the heart worm pills are more expensive and not the chewy ones that Darrell likes - the receptionist tells me to put the pill in a piece of cheese. Duh, you don't think I've tried that. Don't you know that I'm working with the world's smartest dog who will just lick off the cheese and leave the pill?

The vet seemed concerned about Darrell's "peach arms." Darrell has a habit of licking his front legs. The vet said it's not a problem right now because his legs are not inflamed or red. He suggested that I think about putting a cone around Darrell's head "only for a few months" so he can't lick his legs. FEW MONTHS? That's a couple years in the dog world. Darrell would be pissed. He would be miserable. The vet said Darrell would probably go back to licking his legs once the cone was removed - so what's the point? How is a dog supposed to sleep under the covers with a cone around his head?
Then the vet goes on a five minute ramble (which I did appreciate) about different medications that I could give to Darrell to sedate him enough that he wouldn't lick himself. First of all, No. I am not doping my dog up on antidepressants for a licking problem that really isn't a problem. Second of all, just because he's drowsy doesn't mean he won't still lick... right? Then the vet quickly mentioned the long term side effect of these medications - liver problems. No way, I will take "peach arms" over liver failure any day. The conclusion was that as long as his legs don't become red or inflamed then he doesn't need meds or a cone.

I left the vet office with mixed emotions. I want our old vet back. The vet who sits on the floor and examines my dog. Who rubs his belly and gives him treats after his shots (even though Darrell spit out the treat last time and walked away - ha!). Maybe I'll give this new guy another chance... we'll see what Darrell thinks.

Pain scale

*One of my biggest frustrations as a nurse in the emergency department is "THE PAIN SCALE." I get so tired of saying, "On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your pain?" Yes, I know pain is subjective. I have to document whatever rating the patient gives to his pain. But come on... You wouldn't believe the crazy answers people give when asked to rate their pain.
For example:

• "Does the scale go higher than 10?" - No, if it did I would tell you. Just rate your pain so we can move on.
• "Between 7 and 9" - Umm, in my world this is an 8.
  
• "8 and a half" - Half is not an option. If you say "something and a half" your pain score will automatically be rounded down to the nearest number.
  
• "Definitely 10/10!" - Meanwhile, the patient is texting on her cell phone, or eating Doritos, or whining about how tight the blood pressure cuff is squeezing. And her reason for coming to the ER is "stubbed my toe last week." Don't make me give you my classic line of "If zero is no pain and ten is getting your leg sawed off without anesthesia..."
  

Morale of the story: Saying your pain is 10/10 while you paint your fingernails in the triage office does not mean squat. If you truly are having the worst pain of your life, I want to see tears. I want to see you doubled over. I want grimacing. At least give me a frown or something.

*working a 12 hour shift in the ER on a Saturday night may result in sarcastic blogs

Rock of Love

Bret Michaels will be performing at the Iowa State Fair this year. I admit it, I'm addicted to Rock of Love on VH1. I secretly wish I was 21 again, had a fake tan/boobs/lips/hair, and was aboard the Rock of Love bus with Bret Michaels. Snap... back to reality. I guess I'll have to settle for seeing Bret at the Iowa State fair, in 97 degree weather, standing in a field, corndog in hand, with my husband.

See the resemblance?

Mike........ Will Ferrell......... Leprechaun....... See the resemblance?

I decided to change the web address of my blog. I didn't like the fact that any random person could Google my name and find my blog. Now it's more secretive... hee hee. I thought long and hard about my new name. I think this is perfect. Mike said my blog name should be "I sleep til noon." Whatever! Doesn't he see this is posted at ?

This picture of Mike is from St. Patrick's Day a few years ago. Yes, that is a perm you see. He grew out his hair for months and permed it the night before St. Paddy's... and shaved it off the day after. This picture is famous. My sister made buttons out of it that we wore at my bachelorette party. Last summer for one of Mike's triathlons, Mike's friend made t-shirts with this picture on it. The shirt said, "My Hero." It's hilarious.
This year for St. Patrick's Day we are going to Kansas City where Mike's brother lives. They have a big celebration. Mike says that someone gets shot at the parade every year. We'll see. I bought green tights with shamrocks on them. It's fun pretending to be Irish.

Sticker madness

A pet peeve that my husband and I share: registration stickers on license plates. Apparently everyone does not know that you are supposed to put this year's sticker on top of last year's sticker. This license plate comes from one of the fine folks in Polk County (Des Moines). Exhibit A:
Or there is this one... He tried so hard to put the tan sticker perfectly over last year's orange sticker but fell short. Come on now, really? Is it that hard to line up the edges of a square? Exhibit B:

The only logical explanation to the sticker madness is that people are proud of how many years they own their car. But why? Look Pa! I have ten different colored stickers all over my license plate! Whoopee... you're driving a 1990's Buick, big deal.

New blog address

I will be changing the web address of my blog (i.e. www.beckamcginn.blogspot.com) to something different. Please leave me a comment or email me so I can tell you the new site name. Thanks!