The best acquisition ever

A few weeks ago J's school held a swap and shop where all of the families were encouraged to bring in an unwanted children's or household items they no longer needed. Everyone was free to take as much as they wanted or needed, and anything leftover went to goodwill at the end of the day.

J picked out a little pretend doctor's kit as his treasure, and it's been the greatest toy ever.

That first day he spent about 3 hours treating me as the sick patient, which meant that I got to spend 3 glorious hours lying on the couch doing absolutley nothing while he examined and took care of me. Why didn't I buy him one of these a long time ago?!

When he tired of this game, he moved on to veterinary medicine in which I learned the true patience of one very adoring dog.

Poor Kelli was put through the ringer, and loving laid there and allowed Dr. J to perform all sorts of tests.

Blood pressure measurements:


Very thorough ear exams:


And even a blood draw, which was, of course, followed up with the application of a bandage:

(Isn't that the cutest thing?)

This dog may, on most days, be the bane of my existence. She might pee on my floor every time the neighbor's dog barks too loudly, and she might annoy the hell out of me with 3 am nudges. She might occasionally swipe entire pork chops from the counter hot from the oven. She may even wag her tail so hard that she busts it open on corners, walls and any other hard surface it contacts, leaving a spray of blood that rivals CSI murder scenes, but this- her undying love and gentle patience with J is the reason that she'll always, always remain a part of our family. Good girl, Waggy Dog.