As the plane banked to the right, I could see the shoreline of what I assumed was Lake Erie. I checked my watch: 3:15. Dr. Pedersen, if he was on time, would have started the surgery on Annie. I looked at my husband’s face. How I wished Andy were performing the operation. Andy had assured me Rick Pedersen was a fine veterinarian, but I still would have preferred Andy be there.
Looking over at me, Andy reached out and took my hand. “It’ll be okay.” I took a deep breath and let his words of reassurance do their job.
Andy had explained what was happening. Annie had an intestinal torsion. In simple terms she had a twisted gut, not uncommon in large dogs. For a younger animal the survival rate was quite high, but Annie was older and definitely had shown signs of slowing down.
The captain ca
