Rain, Rain Go AWAY! Far away!

What a day!  From start to finish it has been nothing but drama. Well, drama in my book....


It has been raining for days.  Feels more like weeks, but has really only been few days.  Today, it DOWN POURED all day and the wind was blowing sideways. Umbrellas were abandoned on the street and in garbage cans, taxis were impossible to find and people were gathered in large groups under awnings and overhangs or where ever they could find a break from the rain.  I haven't experienced rain like this since living in Chicago.


Of course, this in one of the days we have to go out and have to be somewhere at a specific time.  Today, we had a vet appointment for Manzie at 10:00 am at the University of Sydney Vet School which is about 15 minutes by taxi or  a bit longer by bus.  I geared up the boys in raincoats and boots, shoved Manzie in our small, travel crate (necessary for all taxi rides) and headed out the door. I was, of course, already late because I  had the time wrong, but I figured I will just grab a taxi out front and be on our way. HA!  We got down to the lobby and looked out side and it was raining so hard it was like being in the shower. We waited out front for a taxi for about 10 minutes, but had no luck.  We did, however, have a very nice gentleman stand with us for a bit of that wait and hold his umbrella over the boys. How kind!  We decided to relocate to a different street to see if we had better luck with a taxi. We waited and waited and waited and taxi after taxi after taxi passed us by.  One stopped, but told me he wouldn't take Tucker because he was under 3 and needed a car seat- baloney! The law is under 2 has to have a car seat.  Then another kind lady came and shielded the boys with her umbrella for a bit before she had to take off to get her own ride.  Finally, a taxi stopped.  I asked the driver is he was okay with the dog in the crate and the driver actually had the nerve to ask me to put Manzie IN THE TRUNK!  Not the way back of a station wagon or mini-van, but in the trunk of a 4 door taxi.  I said, no and insisted on the ride anyway. I was done being patient and nice.  The driver was a little crabby and made some comments under his breath, but I prevailed and we made it to the vet very soggy, but safe.


Once there the staff was so understanding as to why were late. The receptionist agreed with me that the driver was crazy to ask such a thing.  We sat down to wait for our appointment and to calm down a bit from drama of getting there.


The doctors there are so wonderful.  They are thorough, knowledgable and kind.  After our discussion of what the doctors thought should be done, I asked for a quote for the care they suggested (Thank you, Dr. Kate for your advice).  They very calmly came back with a quote of $635. YIKES!  I very kindly replied, "Ok, so where can we make some cuts?"  After a bit of a discussion, I managed to talk them down to $165.  Phew! Even with that, I still have to give Manzie her injections at home and collect a urine sample from her. That should be hilarious. Will I take the soup ladle approach or the Chinese Take-Out container approach. Ah, you will have to wait and read more later.


Thankfully, on the way back, we got a nice taxi driver who had no problem with the dog.  He did put her in the back SEAT, but that was fine. He was friendly and we chatted a bit on the way home.


I have not been that happy to be home in quite some time. We were all soaked from head to toe, Tucker had passed out in the pram (imagine that) and the air-conditioning was on in the apartment.  I  carefully changed Tucker's clothes and put him to bed. Coop and I changed into dry clothes as well and then snuggled up on the couch with a tv show so that we could warm up.


I have to say that I completely agree with Tucker when he starts to sing, "Rain, rain go away..."