Bedside Manner

The alarm blared at a crazy hour in the morning. I wanted to roll over and go back to sleep, but Ilana got up. She got dressed and turned to me, “Come on Miki, outside!” but I could tell her enthusiasm was forced. She emanated unease and I wasn’t sure why.

Reluctantly, I got up, stretched, yawned, and followed her out of her room to the back doors. Ilana opened the door for me and told me to “go potty”. Then she closed the door and went to do whatever it is she does when I’m outside. I didn’t want to leave her alone since she was so nervous, but I knew she wouldn’t let me in until I did my business.

Ilana let me in just as Dad was coming out of the guest bedroom. Ilana and I moved away from Mom and Dad’s house a little while ago. I didn’t understand why Ilana wanted to split up our pack, but I went with her anyway.

I wasn’t sure why Dad had slept over in the guest room, but I wasn’t complaining. Dad adores me and lets me kiss him as much as I want!

“Did you take your pills?” Dad asked Ilana. To me he said, “Good morning Sneeka Peeka Mika! Did you sleep well?” in the croon he only uses for me.

I wagged my tail and ran over to him.

Ilana rolled her eyes at us. “Yeah, Dad, I took them,” then she looked at her phone, “We have to go. I’m just going to feed Mika and then I’m ready.”

“Ok Princess,” Dad said, “I’m ready when you are.” I wasn’t sure if he was talking to me or Ilana.

Ilana sighed and walked to the kitchen. As hard as it was, I tore myself way from Dad and ran to the kitchen for breakfast. I dutifully sat and waited for Ilana to pour my food and tell me to “eat”. By the time I was done scarfing, Ilana was in her art studio. I knew she had a treat for me. I also knew she was going to put me in my crate and that she and Dad were going to leave. I didn’t want them to leave. I didn’t want her to leave. Nervousness and fear still poured off her body in waves. She needed me.

“Mika, come!” Ilana called.

I walked to the doorway and gave her my most pathetic look.

Ilana was not having it. She pointed to the crate, “Go on.”

I stood where I was.

Ilana put her hands on her hips. “Mika,” she said, “One…Two…”

I slunk into the crate. I’ve never found out what happens after Two, but I don’t want to.

She tossed my treat into the crate after me and closed the door. “Good girl Miki, we’ll be back soon.” She gave me a small smile but I could tell it was forced.

What was going on? I gave her a cry and pushed against the crate door.

Ilana walked out and closed the art studio door.

I howled until I was sure they’d left.

***

The car door opened and slammed shut. They were home! I stood up and began to bark. I was so glad Ilana was back. The key turned in the lock and the door opened. I could hear Dad moving around, putting bags down. “Roof, roof!” I called.

Dad ignored me. Through the door I heard him talking to Ilana. “Can you get in, up the step? Do you need help? Here…”

“I’m fine, just hold my crutches for a minute,” Ilana said.

I wondered what a crutch was.

I heard a lot of shuffling and felt Dad’s need to make sure Ilana was ok. I had the same need! There were no trace nerves off Ilana anymore though. Finally, the art studio door opened. Dad came in and let me out. He grabbed me by the collar before I had a chance to spring out of the room.

“Are you ready? Is it ok to let her go?” Dad called to Ilana.

“Yeah, it’s fine,” Ilana called back.

Dad released me and I bolted out of the room toward Ilana’s voice in the living room. I stopped. Ilana was standing by the front door with two metal sticks under her arms that reached all the way to the ground. And one of her legs was wrapped up in a hard, bandage like some dogs got at the vet’s office. The bandage went from her knee down like a big boot. She held that leg up above the ground. Something was not right.

“Hi Miki,” Ilana said. She smiled, “Be gentle.”

I crept closer to her and sniffed the metal sticks. Those must have been the crutches she had talked about. I decided I didn’t want to try to eat them. Then I sniffed her bandage. It smelled like the vet’s office. Underneath that smell, was something else. The human vet had done something to her ankle. I could smell the open skin and the healing already starting. I had a strong urge to rip open the boot bandage and lick Ilana’s sick ankle, but I resisted. I didn’t think that behavior would go over very well.

“See,” Ilana said to Dad, “she’s fine. She knows.”

Dad nodded and I could see he was relieved, “Looks like you’ve got a nurse maid.”

“Guess so,” Ilana said. She took her crutches and swung them forward a little, then leaned on them and hopped with her good leg. She repeated this all the way to her room. I followed very close to her. I wanted to be there in case I had to catch her. I didn’t trust the crutches.

Finally, we made it to the bed. She sat back and leaned the crutches against the frame. I jumped up next to her and tried to lick her.

She pushed me away, “Gross Mika! Quit it!” She scooted back and sat propped up by pillows. Dad helped her put pillows under her bandaged leg so it was elevated.

“Dad?” Ilana asked.

“Yes Princess?”

“Can you let Mika out and maybe get me something to eat please? Then I think I’ll take a nap.”

“Sure,” Dad said. “Come on Miki,” he told me and walked to the sliding doors.

It was hard to leave Ilana for even a second, but I did really have to “go potty” so I ran out and did my business. Then I was right back on the bed with her.

I settled down and watched her.

She patted my head, “You’re a good girl Miki.”

Thud, thud, thud went my tail against the covers. Ilana was my girl and I was going to take care of her.