The Dog Star: My Lesson with Buck
(The Dog Star is a symbol of power, will, and steadfastness of purpose, and exemplifies the One who has succeeded in bridging the lower and higher consciousness. —Astrological Definition)
We were never “dog people” but 35 years ago my wife’s brother could no longer accommodate his pure-blood Siberian Husky, Buck, and we agreed to adopt him. He came with us up to Rhode Island from New Jersey. He ran away every chance he had, as Huskies do, but was very healthy and lived to 17.
One day he was clearly in discomfort, moaning, and I took him to the vet. In those days you took a number and sat in the waiting room with any number of dogs, cats, birds, and the occasional reptile. Suddenly, in the packed room, Buck grunted, stood up, and peed. It was a flood. a tsunami, an inundation. It required an ark. People lifted their pets and then lifted their feet. Three employees raced over with mops and buckets.
At that point, we were called into the exam room. Buck was his old, frisky self. The doctor examined him and said, “There isn’t a thing wrong with this dog.” I explained the waterfall that had just occurred.
“There you go,” said the doctor, “sometimes they’re momentarily ‘plugged up’ and then they relieve themselves all at once.”
I thanked the vet and started to leave.
“That will be $75,” he said.
“But all that happened is that my dog peed in your waiting room,” I pointed out.
“Yes,” said the vet, “and now he’s better, right?”
I paid and had a new respect for paying for results.
