Maybe Just Quit & Lie Down
That was my answer the other day
Hi friends & welcome new subscribers!
I'm writing this newsletter at the 11th hour. Yes, I've had all week to write it, but I've been busy caring for my dog. He needed surgery earlier this week and it burnt me out.
I'll give you this sneak peek into an essay I began writing about it. I may or may not publish it. It's yet to be seen. But you're my crew, so you get to read it.
My Dog Needs Surgery, and I'm Freaking Out
How do people have kids?
"This concerns me" is not something you ever want to hear from your vet.
I heard it today.
My dog is now ten-years-old and lives a good life. He's a rescue mutt I got when he was a puppy from my local shelter.
He hasn't had many significant accidents, just minor health concerns. They all turned out to be things we could fix without major surgery.
A tooth removal was the worst of it. I know that sounds crazy, as tooth extractions are pretty common in dogs, but this was a molar — one of his prominent chewing teeth — they hit an artery removing it, and he bled like crazy.
Also, he has white, shaggy fur.
They washed him, but when I picked him up, he looked like he'd driven through hell with the windows down. He was semi-wet and drugged; his fur was a weird color from all the blood.
The tooth was cracked and had to come out. I was a wreck. I blamed myself for having the tooth removed and putting him through all that, even though I knew it had to be done.
Now, he needs another teeth cleaning and two weird bumps removed - one on his chest and one on his jawline. They want to do all of this since he'll be under anesthesia.
It is all so stressful.
The anesthesia and operation part gave me the most anxiety, but what will this cost? I have yet to get a quote. I have pet insurance, so hopefully, some of this will be covered.
Oh, he also has an ear infection. Ugh. I knew he was shaking his head rather strangely. So I'll be dropping ointment into that ear for two weeks. All this extra stuff made his annual checkup bill skyrocket.
Again, I have pet insurance, but it always sucks to hand over your credit card for greasy ear medicine. Gross.
"Better to do this on a ten-year-old dog than a fifteen-year-old dog," my vet said. I know she's right. Now that my dog is older, I want him to feel the best he can.
He's always handled medical procedures and medicine like a champ, so I have high hopes all his procedures go well.
I feel ridiculous having all these feelings. I know he's a pet, but he is my number one. He's my steady. He understands me when I talk to him (no, I'm not crazy), and he can answer back.
A nod of his head and a few steps backward mean "yes."
With all this pet stress, I have no idea how people have kids. Aren't you all worried about them constantly? They're just out there - roaming around the world with free will. I can't imagine.
And then they drive cars. Ohmygod. That's crazy. How do you all do it?
UPDATE
My dog's surgery went well. He was tired for a day and didn't eat, but now he's eating and quite energetic.
He's gotten used to wearing his cone. I call it his "party hat," and I give him extra treats when I put it on, so he thinks it's special. I take it off when we walk the neighborhood so he can sniff, and I watch him like a hawk. Any attempt to itch his jaw is met with "AH! LEAVE IT".
He doesn't know why but he listens to me.
Maybe just lie down
On Thursday, I finished an article about a new Web3 company and began researching another topic. I was so tired, and I couldn't focus.
I called it quits.
I shut my computer and went to lie down.
The break didn't last long, but I realized I could trash the rest of the day and be fine. I walked the dog, watched a movie, and chilled out people.
The next day I felt rested and like I could tackle what was in front of me.
It's what we've always known.
TAKE A BREAK.
When you can. If you can, shut it down. Start over tomorrow. Otherwise, you're spinning your wheels and all wasted effort.
Web3 Article
Here's the Web3 article I wrote this week for Fastblocks. It's about a company seeking to knock TikTok off its number one spot.
Wishing you all a lovely, restful weekend.
Pour your favorite drink, pet your pets, and put your feet up.
Until next time,
Peace,
Kit
Kit Campoy is a former retail professional turned freelance writer. She covers Web3, travel, leadership, retail, writing, and more. She also writes personal essays on Medium. Connect with Kit on LinkedIn, DeSo, and Twitter.
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Any more, I'm convinced my kids are part of a conspiracy to drive me to an early grave. In recent weeks I've seen an IG Reel of one cliff diving into a quarry lake, the little one whiz down our block on a minibike, and been texted the phrase "I might trade the plow truck for a Kawasaki Ninja." Thankfully, that fell through.
My youngest has also announced that he'd like to play football next year once he's in high school, so there's that.
(sigh)
More importantly, I'm glad your dog is okay! I fought off getting one for as long as I could; now I can't imagine life without him!
So sorry for the stress!! And I felt the relief when you were able to lie down! Made me take my own deep breath. Thanks!