How I Met my Husband

The year was 1973 and I was a UCLA student. It was an exciting time to be young and a college student. We- the baby boomers- were a socially and politically active generation. The Vietnam war raged on, our country had experienced a series of devastating assassinations, yet somehow it was a simpler and sweeter time.

Jeff had been drafted but luckily spent his tour of duty in Korea rather than Vietnam. He was back home working at a veterinarian's office as an assistant. He was taking college courses with plans to go to veterinarian school.

As a child, I had never been able to have pets because my mother was allergic to them. I tried to make do with turtles, frogs and fish. Not the most cuddly. Finally, I had my first kitty and I adored him. He was 9 months old when he became violently ill. I rushed him to an emergency vet hospital in the middle of the night and, in my panic, ended up at the wrong hospital. There was nothing they could do- he had been poisoned- but the doctor was so kind and compassionate that I vowed if I ever had another pet, I would bring it there.

Skip forward a few months. I have Heather, a beautiful Irish Setter puppy. So I begin bringing her to this same hospital for her shots and checkups. Jeff notices me coming in and makes certain that he is always the assistant in the room with me. One day, I notice bumps all over Heather's tongue, and fearing the worst is going to happen to me again, I rush her to the vets. They assure me it is most likely a harmless form of "puppy warts" but will run a few tests. Still, I'm so worried!

The next day, I receive a phone call from the vet's office and it is Jeff. He asks me if I have a paper and pen handy so I can make some notes. He tells me that there are some symptoms that they want me to be on the lookout for...
Here are my notes:

"First, keep an eye on Heather's tongue for any changes
Second, look for any changes in behavior-
if lethargy or hyperactivity is noticed take her temperature
Third, check her tongue for spots- purple polka dots
Fourth, pay attention to see if she is chasing her tail in a clockwise motion-
important to note the direction
Fifth, it is a sure sign her condition is worsening if her eyes are going in a counterclockwise direction while she is chasing her tail in a clockwise direction
Finally, I think we should get together over dinner to further discuss the seriousness of this situation..."

Long pause on my side of the phone line... finally, it sinks in! Embarrassed at my gullibility, but still relieved, I begin to laugh instead of cry. Finally I reply, "If you still want to go out with me after I fell for all that, then okay."

That weekend we went on our first date and we were married a year and a half later...

Click on back to see our wedding photos

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