Look who came hunting for Ernie!

This little fella was on our lawn this weekend! Best keep Ernie close.

Okay so back to the boys....Ernie went through his exam first. A bundle of nervous energy as always. He is to undergo a cystoscopy on Wednesday and when the vet advised that he would have to be slightly sedated, I said that's fine, as long as it's not the same sedative Michael Jackson was using. That stuff can be deadly.

They tried to get a urine sample from him but he pee'd too quick. It's a long way to bend down with a little cup and made more difficult by the fact that he likes to travel while peeing.

Rookie endured his physical like a trooper. For the first half he did it while lying on the floor asleep. There is something to be said for an aging dog. Apparently he doesn't sweat the small stuff anymore. Used to be a day where he was just as nervous as Ernie. Today, not so much. Three of us ended up sitting on the floor with him because, well, it was just easier that way. I'm sure she had to double-check for a heartbeat. Then we had to convince him to sit up so she could check his temperature...in his nether region. Once again...a trooper! When she was done, Rookie turned around and gave her this huge bellowing bark and she looked at us for a translation. Apparently he figured a treat was in order for having to go through the indignity of having his temp taking out of his arse. Wouldn't you? The whole visit was rather comical.

We ended up leaving them there for a bit so they could run further tests. Rookie has gotten quite lumpy over the last couple of years, mostly fatty lumps, but she was a bit concerned about a lump he has growing within his abdomen.

Ev & I are both in agreement that when it comes to Rookie, there isn't too, too much time left for his future but whatever there is we are going to do our darndest to make it as comfortable as possible. There will be no intrusive surgeries in his future. At 14, he's beyond his life expectancy and he is doing exactly what we have promised him for the past 3 years. Hold on, old buddy, and you can pass your days lounging on the deck watching life go by. It's a blessing to us both that he lived up to his end of the bargain, now it's our turn to happily return the favour.

Okay...I'm back to work. Enough lolligagging.