Moment

Who needs the reminder? At any time in this uncharted expedition, a single moment can sting you into reality. Frank and his dog in their favorite park, walking and sniffing as is the ritual, suddenly came into that moment. On grass, the pooch instantly stopped, raised her right front paw, and looked straight at Frank. Immediately knowing something wasn't right, his alarm only increased as her paw stayed aloft- but, she was silent. No whimper, no yelp. No clue. Frank rushed over and scooped her up, trying at the same time to examine the paw. The dog wouldn't have it, instead twisting about, licking the mystery injury with laser focus. Frank, always the steady ship in crisis, began to have a pre-cardiac. What could he do? He knew something was very wrong with his girl, but what? There was no glass anywhere. Nothing visible in her paw. Then, Frank remembered, their vet's office was only three blocks away. He started walking quickly, glad he had a nine-pound Pomeranian Chihuahua, and not a Great Dane. Getting quickly to the office, Frank's heart sunk. The sign said, appointments only- Covid. Crap! Call this number. He balanced the cell and the dog, who was still licking away. Someone answered. 'Hi. I'm out here on the steps...", he quickly explained. He was placed on hold for five long minutes. Frank could see movement behind the door, then it opened. The kind, masked attendant explained that the doctor was on the phone. Then, she vanished inside with Frank's dog. Another five minutes pass, he's pacing the sidewalk now. What if she sprained her little leg, twisted a tendon, cracked a bone?  Frank's thoughts went from bad to disaster. Finally, the door opened, they came down the short steps. Handing Frank his dog, she just said two words: "Bee sting." She pulled out a folded napkin- there was the tiny stinger. Wow. All good. Frank started breathing slower again, thanking her profusely, and the doctor, the office, the profession. Frank also thanked his lucky stars, back in the car now to call his wife, he thought again: life can sting in a single moment. Who needs the reminder?