As predicted, the day after we got our bath and haircut, Cheryl carted Lexie and I off to the V.E.T.’s office. It was time for our annual checkup. When we first got in the car I wondered if we were going back to the pet cleaners to reclaim all of our lost hair. But when Cheryl took a right at the red light instead of a left, I knew exactly where we were headed. The V.E.T. people oooed and aahhed over our new dos and pampered us while they poked and prodded. They checked our weight (I gained a few pounds, beefing up to 75, Lexie stayed the same at around 93), they took our blood and they gave us our annual shots. The doc asked if we were having any troubles. “When you get to be my age, Doc, yes, you have troubles.” Lexie is a little slower getting up and down, so the doc sent her home with some Deramaxx to pop once a day. I had him check out a knot on one of my knees. As it turns out, I have to have a little surgery in a few weeks and have it removed. Lexie’s blood work came back A-OK. Mine, however, showed some numbers that are too high in my liver, so I’m having to pop SAM-e a couple times a day. We’ll retest in two weeks. Good thing the people started a “Doggy Aliment Fund.” Duchess almost depleted it last year. It’s my turn to dip into it this year. I’ll keep you posted.