Friday, February 4, 2011

Vacuuming is bad for you

Yesterday was a bad day. I blame the vacuuming, and the fact that I washed my hair. And Wascally Wabbits. Confused? It's okay. But I need to vent. You can read or you can skip to something pleasant like this. I won't mind.

First, some of the highlights of my Very Bad Day.

It started with the garbage pickup. Simple task, right? As I dragged my can (the garbage can) through the snow to the end of the driveway my neighbour called out that I'd missed the truck. Odd, since I was about half an hour ahead of the usual schedule, but okay. "Use my driveway," she said. I reluctantly agreed and dragged it across the road, reluctant because I have avoided talking to her for years. (She lives to gossip and never lets the truth get in the way of a good story.) She then launched into a long breathless monologue about work, kids blah blah.... I said I had to get Eldest to train.

Said daughter came very close to missing her train and after I dropped her off at the nearest intersection, she dashed across red lights, heavy traffic and railway tracks to catch it. My lifespan has been shortened by several years as a result.

Returned to see garbage truck picking up on my side of the street as usual. But not before I got stuck behind it.

I had an appointment downtown so I left my dog with a new groomer/daysitter ( I shall call her "C") to see how Buddy gets along with her dogs and cats. As I pulled out of C's driveway, I heard an awful dog fight and squeals on the other side of the fence. Instead of rushing back, which is what every maternal instinct in my body was telling me to do, I listened and waited. C. had asked me not to be present when they all met, and I trusted her. I also thought that sometimes when dogs establish pecking order, they make a lot of noise which sounds worse than it is. She went inside, things were quiet, so I left for my appointment. With trepidation, but I left.

On the way, there was a multi-car accident that happened on the crest of the hill in front of me on the highway - there were at least five wrecked cars, one flipped on its side, people wandering on the road, and no police or ambulance anywhere. Completely rattled me, and I arrived late to my appointment. Because of the snow storm the day before there was no street parking anywhere. The indoor lot was full. My emergency backup lot was blocked by a giant snow removal truck. I tried a third location, took the wrong entrance and ended up underground with delivery trucks surrounding me. After more twists and turns, I found another lot a block away and parked in a tight spot with the help of a passing woman. (Women really do help other women park when they see them in distress, don't they? I love that about us.) I ran to my appointment and arrived sweaty and breathless.

Still venting. Are you still with me?

I arrived at my husband's dental office only to be tackled by the office manager and hustled to the secondary entrance. Apparently there was another patient booked at the same time and they didn't want me to have to deal with this particularly pernicious person. (The team in my husband's office operates like a cross between loving, caring sisters and well trained Navy Seals, so God help anyone who crosses them.)

Just as I'm thinking "what else do you have to throw at me, Universe?!" I get on the highway to come home and...another accident! Montrealers do not slow down for anything, including inclement weather. So put Kamikaze-style drivers on an icy highway with afternoon glare from the setting sun and what do you get? Bumper to bumper traffic for miles, turning a twenty minute ride into an hour and a half.

Oh, it gets much worse.

When I picked up Buddy, a very upset C. told me he'd been attacked by a dog she was looking after, a young Bernese Mountain Dog, who had yet to be neutered. The owners knew he had "issues" and just hired a trainer who'd been to their home once. She warned me that Buddy had some bruises on his belly and that she'd take care of any vet bills. When I got him home and examined him, I realized his chest was turning bluish/black and that he had bruises and bite marks all over his belly, chest and groin. My sweet, gentle Cavalier who would not hurt anyone had clearly gone into the submissive posture and was attacked anyway. He was in considerable pain and limping so I had to take him to my vet last night. He's on painkillers today and can't manage stairs. We need to watch him for signs of fever which may mean a puncture wound under his fur where we can't see it.

What does this have to do with vacuuming you ask? And washing my hair? And wabbits?

Well, yesterday was the Chinese New Year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit. Lainey Lui, my favourite entertainment blogger, warned that you had to clean everything (house, hair, clothes, whatever) by Wednesday, and you are not supposed to do any cleaning until Sunday. Because if you do, you scrub away the good luck. Phht, I thought.

Then I vacuumed and washed my hair. Just as the new year started.

I have learned my lesson.

Buddy is flaked out on painkillers and is laying beside me on the good couch he's not normally allowed to sleep on.

Today I'm going to let him.

13 comments:

Julie K said...

You really did have a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day. {{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}} and pink lights to you both.

Debby said...

I'm telling you...vacuums suck!

Sorry about that horrible day. I'm impressed that you can still type curled up in a fetal position sucking your thumb and weeping quietly to yourself.

You're not curled up in a fetal position, sucking your thumb and weeping quietly to yourself.

Huh.

I would have been.

Just saying.

nightsmusic said...

Awww...poor you. And poor Buddy! I think if that had been my day, my worst part would have been poor Buddy. I don't suppose you'll be using that groomer again any time soon?

As a side note, I got a new vacuum yesterday. I only cleaned a few things. Does that mean some of the good luck is still here?

A Novel Woman said...

NM, don't vacuum until Sunday. If you doubt what I'm saying, go back and read the post again.

nightsmusic said...

Bah. Humbug. I scoff at superstition.

Maybe.

Sort of...

Lottery Girl said...

OMGosh! I am so upset about Buddy! I am furious! He's so sweet and he is a fraction of the size of that other dog. At least the woman did tell you about it...

Gina said...

OMG...what a horrible day!!! And does the whole vacuuming thing carry over to the states??? I can let my vacuum stay in the corner until Monday, Thank you.
I hope Buddy gets better and no further trips to the vet are required. You poor thing!!! Oh..and even though you posted after 11 a.m...I would have had a glass of something calming in my hand. Wine or something stronger.
Take care!

Gina
http://motoxmom72.blogspot.com/

Deniz Bevan said...

Hugs to you and Buddy! I hope the year just gets better and better after this.

Vicki Pettersson said...

Oh, poor Buddy!!

Poor you, but Poor Buddy. Give him kisses and cuddles for me. I'm so sorry, and I'll be wishing his well. I adore him from afar.

A Novel Woman said...

Gina, it's Chinese tradition but the avoidance of washing or vacuuming or cleaning of any kind is supposed to be for everyone, or at least those who believe in this superstition (and YES, I believe now. Don't have to tell me twice.)

I've told the story of my Very Bad Day to every Chinese person I've come across in the past couple of days, including the technician at the vet. She was a young thing, but she just looked at me,shook her head sadly, then affirmed I shouldn't have cleaned. Just saying...it was kind of funny, but awful.

The really funny part? And the reason I vacuumed in the first place? I had clipped Buddy's nails that morning and wanted to clean up after myself. And look who paid the price.

When the universe talks, you listen.

Thank you for all your good wishes. He had a much better day today and is on the mend. He's still quite stiff, but much improved.

Smooches.

BB said...

Oh no - poor Buddy! And his poor Mum! That really was Pam's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day...

Glass half full approach? You were not even SLIGHTLY injured in either of those terrible pile-ups, your car undamaged, your husband has a great interference teama and Buddy is...well... alive.

Still, I get that HUGS are most definitely required. Sending them, plus a virtual Bailey's on ice.
:-)
BB

A Novel Woman said...

Bailey's, virtual or otherwise, always gratefully received slong with hugs.

The Budster is improving daily and sends thanks for all your good wishes.

And yes, it all could have been much worse. This was the cosmos giving me a cuff on the side of the head is all.

The Dancing Crone said...

Me, my dog Flynn, my cats, Bonny and Claude, Squeaker, and Martha Stewart all send Buddy best wishes for a speedy recovery. A chilling post!