Monday, September 17
My stupid phone dies right when I need it the most. Yesterday I’m talking with Joyce, the camp host, when she recommends All Creatures Animal Hospital in Eagle Point, south of here, for excellent care for Bridget and more-than-reasonable fees for me. Her friends give stellar reports, too.
It’s Monday morning and the plan is to drive down to Prospect for cell signal to call for an appointment.
However, the dead phone changes that. I drive all the way to Eagle Point and show up at the animal hospital without an appointment. Although the staff people are friendly and courteous, I get the feeling the doctor is a bit chilly. I feel like a creepy “walk-in,” the words I later notice written on the invoice. Maybe she is stessed-out or has no people skills. Anyway.
Her diagnosis is the same as that given by the vet in Grants Pass.
Sweet little Honey Boo-Boo Badger
Cranial cruciate ligament tear.
The vet can’t detect and doesn’t suspect any broken bones. Xrays are necessary to rule that out. She admits that a for-certain diagnosis with this kind of “presentation” can only be made with the dog under sedation. That’s when she gives me the bad news.
“The doctor who specializes in this kind of injury is on vacation for a week.”
Oh, no! That dang phone. If I could’ve called . . . . Well, what difference does it make now.
She continues . . .
“He’s the only doctor here who does that kind of surgery.”
Given the situation, her recommendation is to keep Bridget from walking around and jumping, keep her pain-free, and make sure she rests. Then re-evaluate in a week or ten days.
The bill is incredibly low, just as Joyce promised. $19 for the exam and $4 for more pain pills.
It’s all I can do to keep from reacting with “You’re kidding me.”
We motor on down the highway . . .
. . . to Wal-Mart! Our groceries are down to the stuff I don’t feel like eating. Besides groceries, I also pick up a new hair brush, dish towels, some one-ply toilet paper, and a cell phone!
The guy in electronics can’t test the phone’s battery because “It isn’t standard.” And, of course, they don’t have a replacement battery.
He begins to name stores that might stock it. The memory of the Verizon fiasco is still fresh. That’s when I crisscrossed the GREATER PART OF THE STATE OF WYOMING for a battery out of existence.
“No, I’m not running around from store to store looking for the right battery. Give me the cheapest phone you’ve got and I’ll be happy.”
On the return trip I realize how much I enjoy our home at Natural Bridge Campground.
According to Camp Host Joyce, the 14-day limit has been lifted. 
Campers can stay until the campground closes November 1st. Oh, I’d love to stay a long time. But then there’s Bridget’s injury. I wish I knew what is the best thing to do. Maybe time will reveal it.
rvsue
rvsue and her canine crew 