sobbing dog story

The dog’s “braces” detached and it’s my fault. I won’t know for a couple days if it’s money down the drain or if they were on long enough to work. I know dog braces sound absurd. I also thought it was a joke, but Stella’s tooth goes crooked into her gums and the vet said infections could cost more over time than braces, which so far has been 350 euros. Originally we were told 4-6 weeks. Today it’s 6 1/2, but a week ago the vet said we were only about halfway through. So I don’t know if they have to be put back in and will cost 350 euros all over again, or if it will cost less, or what. Shit. I googled “dog braces” and it seems they usually cost closer to a thousand dollars and stay in for months. Arf.

I really hate those braces. Stella hates them even more. There’s a slim metal rod that lies across the front of her mouth held by plastic caps on two teeth. She’s not supposed to chew anything and can only eat soft food. Which means bad breath. Which means the leash. Which means remove anything smaller than a basketball from the floor. I mean, this might work for lap dogs who take 3 5-minute walks a day and eat like birds but Stella is a labrador. She plays hard. She bounds like a horse. She loves balls and sticks. She'd eat like a whale if you let her. So today she picks up a stick and I yank it away and, boink, out came the braces. I really hate those braces.

Still, it’s a beautiful day and we’re invited across the street for dinner. Carlo is jogging. My boy is out boy-ing and through the window I can hear Luisa and a friend glee-screaming "NEIN!” in the next yard where they’re squirting each other with a hose.

And I finally reserved a house for July vacation. Denmark! Unfortunately, but as usual, it cost more than I wanted to spend, but Carlo talked me into it. I let him. This of course was before the freaking dog braces fell out – like two hours before. Looks nice, though, eh? I hope there are some poems in those trees.