Some projects are cursed - anything that can possibly (and some things you think couldn't possibly) go wrong will.

You know, it may be possible that - after all these issues where you used the black box with white overlay and fake shadow it could be the printer had something that would automatically work with that and when you went to an actual checkbox, it couldn't deal. Or, as has been suggested, that some "helpful" person at the printer's went in and changed something.

Brilliant, Sox. You know, I have a big filing cabinet in my office that I need, but I also have a filing cart and a legal filing rolling cart. I wonder if I could convert the rolling cart to a storage ottoman. It would nest below my floating shelves bookshelf, and serve as guest seating, replacing both the file cart and the stool that are in there now. Hmm!

thanks for the cleaning info, hivemind. it is possible that i vastly overreact to the possibility of bloody food-borne contaminants. one of the benefit of being vegetarian: not having to worry about cross-contamination.

I haz a sad.

Okay, not really a sad, but a heavy heart.

The terrific new vet we saw last week...who took surgery off the table for Bartlby's chronic issue and made me a very happy woman as a result, has had to go back on that promise.

Unlike the other vets we've seen, she actually did research before throwing dartstreatments at the problem. In the end, it became clear that cutting is the ultimate answer. I can't even express how much I did not want to hear this.

There is a drug treatment that might significantly improve the situation...which would be required before surgery anyway...with some risks but not nearly as many.

Then, there is the cost. I took out pet insurance for the first time last week, but have no idea whether it would even cover the necessary procedures. I've asked the doc to see if there is anyone in the practice who can advise me.

If insurance won't cover it, it isn't even up for discussion.

It goes without saying that I want the best for the little guy. He is the center of my universe. I just want him to be safe.

Oh, Bonny. I am sorry to hear that. I don't have any practical advice, but I know how much you love him.

If he's had this condition before you took out the insurance...it probably won't. Sad.

Erin!

Thank you for the lovely surprise in the post today. It was sweet of you to think of me and it made me smile in the midst of my worry.

The pre-existing condition issue is huge. And likely dooming.

My only hope is that it was never before diagnosed.

Oh, dear. All the best for you and Bartleby, bonny.

oh noes! i feel that situation all too much this week and hope beyond reason that he miraculously wakes up tomorrow with no need for surgery or risky meds :( back in the world of sads, will the vet vouch that it is NOT a pre-existing condition? I have no love for vet insurance companies after my terrible earlier experiences, but as long as the vet can vouch for the new-ness of the condition major surgery is the one thing you can rely on them to cover.