Cute AND Cujo, all in one. Makes my head spin.

What Maria said. With a side of giggles, because really, Kato? You're too silly.

And the thing is, he wasn't being aggressive or mean in the Cujo picture; I just caught him as he was barking to indicate that yes, he would like a treat NOW, please. I just got him at the exact right (wrong?) time to make him look like he belongs on Shark Week.

I love the Sun Dog picture, though. That just captures his personality completely.

How wonderful that that program exists, Maria. What a blessing.

Thanks for the link. I do not qualify. 'Puffy foot' just isn't that serious.

Kato is adorable. Such a great smile. I'm simply going to assume that the second photo was taken out of context...and/or...he was just foolin'.

Steph, it will be a few more days...which probably means next week, for us to get the results.

Thanks so much for the good thoughts. Every one is deeply appreciated.

Everything is fine today, but now I can't take my eyes off the swelling around his backside. Is it? Is it not? If it is, what will I do?

Really not fun.

I also send you patience~ma for dealing with your MiL. Oy.

Yeah, I'm not really enjoying the disapproval for deigning to think about money at a time like this. Look, if it was absolutely necessary for him to have the surgery tomorrow, then I will goddamned make sure he has the surgery tomorrow, and it will eventually be paid for. If waiting a month is OK according to the doctor, then get off of my shit for weighing our options. I'm not that fucking callous or heartless.

Oh dear. Don't even take that on. You could never be heartless or callous. Not even possible.

You know you are right.

Period.

Yeah, I'm not really enjoying the disapproval for deigning to think about money at a time like this.

Ugh. You are going to have a long month. Do you have to answer the phone?

Oh, Maria. So much ~ma for you both, babe. And extra calm vibes while you're waiting for everything. I'm so sorry this is happening on top of a very hard year.

And Barb, I'm sorry. Is this what we talked about lunch that day? Grr. I'm here if you want to talk, babe.

Your DH needs to weigh in on this with his mother. She needs to know that it is his decision, and she doesn't have any say in it, unless she wants to GIVE you guys 15k.

And Barb, I'm sorry. Is this what we talked about lunch that day? Grr. I'm here if you want to talk, babe.

Yep-- the house with the editor I had lunch with. Sounds like she fought hard for it, but it was marketing who put the kibosh on it. I don't know-- I think at this point it's just a matter of Lovely Agent following up with anyone else who has Haunted and if it comes up empty, then I think I'm done with YA for a while, at least. In the meantime, I buckle down and get to it on Dorian. I have to think that the options on it are more open-- debut adult work, I have no history, no numbers, and hopefully, it's the type of story that will hook someone into taking a chance.

Look, if it was absolutely necessary for him to have the surgery tomorrow, then I will goddamned make sure he has the surgery tomorrow, and it will eventually be paid for. If waiting a month is OK according to the doctor, then get off of my shit for weighing our options. I'm not that fucking callous or heartless.

Generally speaking, evidence-based treatment is on your doctor's side here. You could blind her with science and statistics, but sadly, I doubt it would help. So this is me, reminding you, just in case you need it.

(And yes, I've had family go through melanoma treatments in Soviet Canuckistan.)