OK, here's a horrid one... Izzy is a great example of the Pudelpointer breed. Mostly, this is a good thing, as she doesn't shed, and doesn't need haircuts (I pluck her a couple times a year, and bathe her with minimal trouble). But one of the things that makes her a great example of her breed are her "furnishings" which is a hairy fringe on her muzzle, eyebrows, legs, and tail. Oh, and all around her "hoo-ha." Mostly, these are beautiful, but the ones around the base of her tail and her genital region... well they have a tendency to trap stuff I don't want trapped, if ya know what I mean, so I trim that stuff. This is a miserable job, as the dog tends to fight me on grooming in general... now imagine trying to flip her over, comb out her tender bits, and trim this area. She looks at me like I'm insane and avoids me for hours afterwards! Soooo, I confess it's been a while since she got her "special" haircut. So a couple weeks ago, my parents came to town and stayed with me. Now my parents are not uptight, and nobody is ever going to give either of them a house-cleaning medal or anything, but I like to create the illusion, while they're here, that they raised me right, and I am the head of a respectably-run home. So I was a bit miffed when, in less than 60 seconds after their arrival, Izzy ran across my kitchen floor, stopped dead, sat, skidded, and left a streak. Seems she'd gotten some burrs in the region of her tender bits, and some fecal matter had gotten trapped in the process. Intervention was desperately required. So I hugged my hellos, calmly cleaned the spot on the floor, grabbed a burr comb, a bucket of soapy water, a pair of scissors, and a roll of paper towels, and cheerily called Izzy out into the yard and excused myself to address the situation. I tried to be nonchalant about it, but my parents were having a pretty good laugh at my expense when I got back in the house. And that is the most disgusting, but necessary thing I've had to do in a while. Though cleaning the yard in the springtime after a winter of dog poo accumulating under the snow is a close second. I strongly dislike cleaning toilets, but I feel a little better about it since I started using a black light. I use it to get a better handle on where the mess really is... It's a little CSI-esque, but it's the only way I know of to ensure the facilities do actually get reasonably clean...

Medo, I saw them on the end rack at Wal*Mart yesterday, I think under $30. I was tempted, but the old Ranger is pretty well loaded and ready to head south now, so I don't dare add more. I used to have one, but gave it to a daughter, now I wish I had it back. They are very safe to use, not like in the past when they used to blow up. And pot roast is awesome in them! As is Swiss steak. Annie looked like a little overstuffed sausage in her new sweater. She's only 9-months old, but very overweight and having some joint problems in a front leg....when she first gets up (anytime she has been laying down, not just mornings) she limps until her leg loosens up, sometimes her right leg just collapses under her and she falls on her face (which breaks Granny's heart). She doesn't each much at all, and the vet has said to cut even that in half for 3 months, after which he'll check her thyroid if she isn't losing. She's also been put on a joint med. Wow...that trip to the vet was mucho $$$, and he didn't do a darned thing! I looked up the medication and it was only $25 on line. Shipping would have brought it to $30. He charged $93 for the visit and the meds! Pretty good pay for a five minute consultation, I'd say. I've used this vet for all the pups shots and neutering, but I think I'm finding a new one in the future. I'd hate to think what it would have cost if he'd done xrays! Here is a link that might be useful: Annie's Kitchen Garden

OP - you say you don't have "a lot" of money for a vet - does that mean you have SOME? Im not one to call a vet for every little sniffle but you must recognize that 3 days of this is sounding very serious. Indeed, you yourself are phrasing this in terms of "saving" your dog. No one on the internet can do that for you - YOU need to do that. Once you have a diagnosis then yes, people here will help you work through decisions about that and provide info based on their own experience.... but no way can anyone diagnose through the internet. Call around - you can find one who will work with you on the financial aspects. If one place seems snooty and you don't get a good, caring vibe from them, keep calling - go down the list until you find someone who will talk to you. Look for vet schools. A good vet in my experience is one who cares about the human as well as the animal patient. Tell them the symptoms and be straightforward about your finances. You will have to pay something for the initial appointment and exam and they may require tests for an accurate diagnosis Every inch of the way a good vet will lay out several options and cost estimates ranging from minimal intervention to maximum. There is no shame in being too poor to afford top of the line medical care. God knows a lot of us have been there and it doesn't mean we love our pets any less than someone with tons of money. But here's the thing - you take responsibility for a pet that means you must DO WHAT YOU CAN for that animal...... and if WHAT YOU CAN DO means that you spend money that youd rather spend on something else, if it means asking friends and family for a loan, if it means as a last resort surrendering the animal.... then THAT IS WHAT YOU DO.

Congrats on the new car! Nothing is more fun than a brand new car. It is beautiful, and it gets very good reviews too. It will be perfect to haul laundry in. I am like Hmorton with the interior - I would get that beautiful cream color grimy in no time. I have a black interior in my car, and I actually don't like it aesthetically, but it does hide dirt, and that was the consideration that won when I was choosing the interior color. I hear there are treatments one can do to car interiors so that any spills will wipe up and not sink in.