Welcome to the Real World again! :(

So we made it home yesterday, and now it’s back to the grind! 

We had a wonderful time.   We were able to cover Universal and Islands of Adventure in about 8-9 hours.  I thought that was pretty amazing (sorry, Flap, no pictures…it was too much of a hassle to carry it around).  I believe it was possible only because we stayed at the Portofino Bay (one of Universals’ Resorts), and were able to use the express line for all the rides by showing our room key.  The resort was grandioso!  Although very family friendly it was a very romantic atmosphere as well.  The Portofino Bay is designed to be a replica of Portofino, Italy.  Beautiful hotel, excellent service…and if you like Italian food…well this is the place for you.   

Monday, when we returned though I noticed my Labrador retriever’s ear was kind of standing up away from his head.  As I am petting him, I check out his ear and he had this HUGE bump on his ear, which was causing it to stick out instead of lay flat.  It felt like it was full of liquid.  He didn’t appear to be in pain, but obviously this is not normal.  Our dog, Champ, is notorious for ear infections.  I was worried but thought it had something to do with another ear infection.  Our vet was not open yesterday so hubby took the day off and took him to the vet first thing in the morning.  About two hours later he walks in without Champ holding his leash.  My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach and I immediately got tears in my eyes and anxiously asked what is wrong.

The vet says it is nothing serious, but they have to keep him for the day.  He has a hematoma.  It is basically a blood clot under the skin, kind of like a bruise.  He has injured himself by digging the ear and, flicking his head around violently and caused this blood clot.  He will have to spend the day in the vet hospital where they will lance the lump and drain it.  They will then give him a plastic stint at the site of the wound.  He will have to be put under, sedated is the correct term I guess, for this procedure.  Has anyone heard of this?  I did some searching on the internet, and it does not appear to be anything life threatening, but it still worries me.  I have called several times to check on him, and they have not yet performed the procedure, so I am very anxious about all this.  He was my baby well before my children came along.  Maybe I am getting too worked up….guess I will take a break here and try to find something to keep my mind busy…..