For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for September 13, 2012

Aw, now that’s sweet!

It’s moments like this that make it all worthwhile to be a parent. There are times when you want to tear your hair out, but the times when they make your heart melt make up for it.

Michael’s just preparing himself for the worst news possible….in case he hears some from the vet. He brought the toy to partially deflect how scared he is.

Farley is a member of the family. Michael wants to treat him as such.

Having my cat stay overnight at the vet’s cost me several hundred dollars.

That’s sweet!!!

He loves his dog !!!!!!!!

Is it only in the USofA that we say, “in the hospital”? It seems that other English speakers say, “in hospital.” Just curious.

Technically, to be in hospital refers to medical care, not actually in the building. If you go to a clinic, you are “in hospital”. If you need hospice care, you get it where ever you are.

That’s it? We don’t get a hint of what’s wrong with the poor thing?

Did it ever occur to you that Michael might simply have wanted to be prepared just in case Farley really WAS that sick? After all, the kid has eyes, and could see how miserable Farley was before they took him to the vet.

Maybe she’s had a vision of how she’d feel if Michael ended up in the hospital.

Of course not. This is a comic strip, not a novel. Besides, suspense is good for the audience.

SUSAN NEWMAN – As a mom, I know much about my children. As they grow older and learn to reason for themselves, they say and do wonderful things. Just because a parent is surprised by what a child says or does in no way means they do not know their child. If a parent is never surprised, they have not fostered independent thinking in their children. Such a surprise can make years of parenting feel terrific.

I love being surprised by all thoughts and actions from my children. I am proud of the wonderful surprises and try to turn the not-so-wonderful ones into learning experiences. Once they reach adulthood, I hope they have the resources to be positive young folks who can balance critical thinking and emotional feelings to surprise others in their world.

I always bring a fav toy for my guy’s visits to the vet. They may ignore it, but it a subconscious reminder of familiarity.

this arc hurts…

My very random allergies always kick in when I think about Farley giving his life to save April when she fell in the creek. Has to be allergies – why else would my eyes tear up.

He probably swallowed one of the kid’s toys.

It’s so hard when a pet is sick, or even if you see a non-pet who is suffering. But when they depend on you.. it’s harder. That’s right Michael!

When my daughter was almost five, she had her tonsils out. We made sure her beloved bunny and stuffed mouse were right beside her. They helped her cope with the pain.

Poor Farley. I wonder if this is the end?