The sins of the parents

We spent a long weekend in the Chicago area with my sister. She and her s.o. had a big announcement for the family.

After nearly 10 years (on Valentine’s Day) of dating and about 6 months of living together, they are getting married in December.

I can’t believe they are rushing into marriage this way!!! She did clarify that she is not expecting a baby. Whew! I was a bit worried.

She is my younger sister. She is the perfect one in the family. Skinny, well-to-do, perfect hair, perfect house, great kids, in great shape, lots of friends.

Thank goodness her guy will now have an easily definable role in the family. I have discovered over the years that there really is no term which accurately described his relationship to us after all of these years with her. They are in their 50s. Boyfriend really was a bit lame. Significant other-that sounded like hippies who were thumbing their noses at society by refusing to marry for some high moral stand. They are middle class and quite supportive of societal norms. Partner-that term is so often used to describe gay couples who have not been afforded the right to marry, even if they are desperate to do so.

Sometime before the end of the year, he will be my brother-in-law. Thank goodness.

Welcome to the family, Mike.

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Husband and I are now confirmed to be horrible parents. The proof is irrefutable. All we could do at this point would be to throw ourselves to the ground and beg for mercy. It is unlikely to be granted.

Our little dog, a Miniature Schnauzer, stayed with our son and d-i-l while we were out of town.

He had to visit the emergency vet when they found he had a loose tooth. They thought maybe he had loosened it while wrestling with their dog.

Turns out that the tooth was infected and it as well as two other teeth had to be pulled.

We have not brushed our dog’s teeth twice a week as recommended by the vet.

It was due to our negligent canine dental care that our little 6-year-old dog lost three teeth.

Okay, I throw up my hands and surrender. I didn’t know. I made fun of people who do things like brush their dog’s teeth. It seemed similar to making a dog wear an umbrella hat (you know they can’t carry one). I have never (obviously) brushed a dog’s teeth. In my defense, we did have the groomer brush his teeth. At least once. It seemed weird.

I had dogs all the time as I grew up. No one brushed their teeth. As far as I know, none of the dogs lost teeth as a result. When did all of this dental care for dogs start? Why didn’t I know about it……I mean in a way that didn’t seem like a joke?

So now I will live with the guilt. I feel awful. I have apologized to him many times since we returned home. As I gave him his antibiotic and softened his food so that he could eat it, I felt the weight of his pain.

I am sorry. I’ll buy the doggy toothpaste and a brush. I promise you will get stars at your next check up. I’ll be sure you become a member of the No Cavity Club for dogs. Really. I Promise.