December 6, 2008 — Jeff Meyer is very serious and he always forces me to look at X-rays and try and understand complex issues of dog health care. Here he shows me an X-ray of Rose’s stomach, especially relating to an inflammation suggesting Rose ate something she shouldn’t have. Jeff pointed out that dogs only started eating dog food in the early 1960’s and so they often ate all kinds of crud.
  Jeff also talked about how the economy is affecting animal health care. He said many people are postponing routine health checks and surgical proceedures and considering price very carefully. I’m having dinner with him later this week and am eager to talk with him about the farm, and how to manage it properly, something he thinks about a lot and has a great perspective on.
 He is pointing to the suggested inflammation in Rose’s stomach.
 She is fine and resting on the sofa, right next to me. No sheep for a couple of days.

 December 6, 2008 – Rose spent the night at the Granville Small Animal Hospital in Granville, N.Y., under the watchful care of Jeff Meyer, one of the best vets I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Rose hates going to the vet, from being on a leash, which she rarely is, to being confined. Jeff said Rose had picked up a tick-borne virus, and also had an inflammation of the stomach, suggesting she had eaten something that wasn’t good for her. She is fine now, on pills and antiobiotics and resting, and is home. I hate it when Rose is not here, for a lot of reasons.
  Mostly she gives me the feeling that I can handle anything, and the farm is nothing but a string of surprises.