P A M P E R E D P E T S

Last summer we kennel-boarded our 3 darlings to take an 2-week vacation. Although we chose a kennel that came highly recommended, it proved to be a "kennel from hell" for our adorable pets. Retrieving our babies and immediately upon entering the house, beyond the vile kennel-stench, Princess was horribly ill! After 3 phone calls of stating her condition to this kennel-vet, we immediately took her to her doctor where we discovered she had the most severe bladder condition ever seen. The next 2 weeks were spent doctoring, diapering and frequent lawn visits throughout the days and nights. Fortunately, for her AND us, the prescribed medication kicked in and gradually the situation turned into a discomfort but with the assurance that we wouldn't lose her.

Thinking the kennel-vet would want to do the RIGHT thing and reimburse us for our medical expenses, I mailed all documentation to him. His decision to not return my phone calls prompted me to contact the Better Business Bureau. Their efforts were also ignored so I felt I had no choice but to persue Small Claims Court. This escalated the medical costs but, at this stage, we have a point to prove.

The court date has arrived and the stage is set. All the complaintors and complaintees were instructed to lineup single-file for a frisking and purse-checking before entering the courtroom. As I sat there listening to other complaints, with a judge who appeared to be totally bored and unfair, I knew I was doomed but it was too late to back out now. Besides, we were all locked in this small room with a guard at the door!

Hearing my name being called along with the kennel-vet, I arose, walked to the podium and faced the judge. Next to me at the other podium was a young, overly ambitious, silver-tongued Orlando attorney who was hired to represent the kennel-vet standing behind him. Our complaints were voiced but when no agreement was met the judge flipped her dishwater blonde hair, slapped the file on the desk and yelled, "Mediator!" We were then led into a cubicle with this referee who had the backbone of a reptile.

It was here that the attorney introduced himself, commended me for taking this stand for my animals, and stated that "more people should be like me" but also informed me that his fees were $100/hour and if I didn't sign the affidavit agreeing to a flat $100 settlement to drop all charges and never bring his client to court again that if I pursued this matter causing us to return to court for another hearing and I lost that THEY could take my house, my car, walk into my garage and take anything they wanted and even take my animals away from me IF THEY SO DESIRED!

.....and Justice For All (ha! ha!)
I was in a Polk County Florida Courthouse being threatened by a $100/hour attorney!

THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS:
The one with the fattest pocketbook wins!

MY AFTERTHOUGHTS
Would I go through this again, you ask? YOUBETCHA!!! We are the spokespersons for our beloved pets. It's up to us to protect and defend them to the bitter end. After all, where else will you find such loyalty and devotion? The whole world can kick you in the butt but when you walk in that door you're greeted with enough LOVE to burst the universe!