Two out of three to the vet....

No doubt about it. I'm obsessive compulsive...especially when it comes to my animals. Okay. Here's the deal: Tomorrow I have to take Kelly and Annabelle to the vet. Kelly is going to have his lymph nodes rechecked (yes, I'm pretty sure it's cancer) and Annabelle has to have a booster shot.

The vet's visit is not the issue. What I'm obsessing about is whether or not to take Maddie. "Why?" you ask.

Because if I don't take her with us I rationalize to myself, she be freaking out at home all by her little not-so-bright self.

Having said that, you probably think it's a no brainer. "Take Maddie," you say.

Well, that's easier said than done. The pack mentality takes over when we are in the vet's waiting room IF (and that's a big IF) there's a dog in the immediate vicinity that Kelly decides needs to go home. Once Kelly starts barking, the others join and it's downright embarrassing.

The good thing is that two dogs does not seem to constitute a pack. That bad thing is that three dogs do.

I am not the pack leader at the vet's office. I'm the flustered owner who is tangled up in a web of dog leashes. It's even more difficult now since Kelly is deaf. He used to listen to me. Now he really can't hear...he doesn't even have to pretend to ignore me.

Taking one dog to the vet is easy. Taking two dogs isn't so bad. Going with all three looks like the zookeeper went crazy and all the animals are on the loose.

My rule of thumb in most of life's difficult situations is to try to imagine the worst case scenario. Worst case scenario if I take all three dogs is that my blood pressure will be over the top and I'll be wrestling three little dogs in front of dignified human beings.

Worst case scenario if I leave Maddie home is that she'll be freaking out and unhappy for about an hour.

Since Maddie's not destructive in any way, shape, or form I guess she'll be staying home. Poor little Maddie.

I've made my decision. Now I need to quit obsessing!

No! Wait! I just thought of something else! I could call the vet and schedule individual appointments...that might just solve the problem. It would cost me more time but.....