She’s not a complainer, but she doesn’t like going to the doctor. Luckily she has enjoyed relatively good health, so doctor visits have been infrequent. When I schedule them for her, I tend not to mention anything until just before we have to go. And on our way there I always try to keep the conversation calm and breezy. “We’ll be there in just a minute and it won’t take long at all,” I tell her. We don’t usually have to wait more than a minute or two to be shown to an exam room, and once we’re there, she seems to resign herself to the situation. Perhaps a shot, surely a weigh in, maybe some blood work. She perches quietly on the exam table and glances at me every so often. It’s okay, I say with my eyes, as I reach out my hand and rest it on her shoulder. “We won’t be here long. And then you can go home and nap, okay?” I say to her. She looks non-plussed.
This time we have to wait a little longer, and she gets restless. “I’m sure he’ll be in soon. He’s just backed up with others,” I offer in my most soothing voice. She continues to look skeptical.
Finally, the door opens, and he walks in. “How’s Lucy doing?” he asks me. “Okay, I respond. She’s old…” my voice trails off. “Yes,” he replies, “I don’t see too many cats who are about to be 16.”
Our cat is 16, too, and the vet is definitely NOT his favorite place!
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You kept your readers wondering…
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Like everyone, I was really wondering who “she” was! Sounds like your vet runs a timely schedule, which must be nice. I love pieces like this, ones where readers have to do a little work. Reminds me of a mentor text I love called “She,” by Rosa Guy. I usually just use the first page, but it’s similar.
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Way to keep us in suspense about the who! when I got the end, all of your hints throughout your story jumped out at me. “She looks non plussed.”
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My initial thoughts were of my dog because I just had to take her to the vet. Then as I read on, I can’t commit to the idea. Is it her daughter? Is it her mom or an aunt? Ha! Her cat, such a fun post.
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I love how you kept us wondering who “she” was! I used to talk to my dog the same way, she hated the vet!
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I was totally surprised at who the patient was–I was expecting a small person to the be the patient! I thought it was awesome that you didn’t have to wait too long in the waiting room–that place is a hotbed of germs! Probably not at the Vet’s though.
We, too, having an aging kitty. Each day we have with our 19 year old Willy is a good day.
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I went back an forth from imagining “her” to be your daughter to an aging parent…but I couldn’t imagine a primary care physician being on time for appointments. I kept wondering, “Who’s her doctor?” I would love to not be in waiting rooms forever with my 88 year old mom.
Now, my cat, MIckey. Not patient.
http://wp.me/s3cml8-whoa
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Great post! I was wondering the whole time who it was… this would be a great mentor text for students!!
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