Dreams and German Shepherds

So, it’s been a while since I’ve paused and taken the time to write for myself. Seems like I need to take my own advice and slow down just a little! This prompt was courtesy of my lovely cousin and her own brilliant writing over at Robin Kramer Writes. Her 32 mile swim sounded only slightly more horrendous than my ultra-realistic veterinary dream. In fact, I think Dream Jennifer may have preferred that physical challenge instead of the utter failure she experienced.

A few weeks ago, amidst the chaos of work, school, sports, and simply maintaining life tasks, I woke up 7 minutes before my alarm in an absolute panic from an incredibly realistic dream. In my dream, I had been at work at the small animal clinic and it was one of my surgery days. One of my patients was a completely delightful male German Shepherd coming in for a neuter (if you work in the vet field, you know friendly, well mannered Shepherds are the exception, not the norm). I clearly remember calculating his premed and anesthetic dosages, watching him get induced and prepped for surgery, even to the point of being scrubbed, gloved, and gowned up. I remember talking to the anesthesia technician in the surgical suite. I recall examining him prior to anesthesia, including taking a look at a small rash the owners noted under one of his front legs. I also remember him recovering uneventfully and calling the owners with an update and scheduling a time for afternoon pickup. So, this dream is pretty routine and boring, up to this point.

But, here comes the part that real Jennifer is still feeling guilty about, even though Dream Jennifer was responsible. After the owners are checked out, I see the dog walking out the door and realize he is leaving the hospital fully intact, and I NEVER ACTUALLY NEUTERED THE DOG!!!!! I awoke in a cold sweat as my dream self was calling the owners in a confused and horrified panic trying to explain to them that their dog was anesthetized, but the surgery was never performed, for some unknown reason. I don’t know how the owners responded, but I hope “Dream Dr. Madera” was able to rectify this situation. I was restless and unsettled that day at work, but I thankfully didn’t have any German Shepherd neuters on my schedule!

I’m suspecting this is the veterinary version of dreaming you showed up to school naked or forgot to study for the big test. Even so, just writing this story out has my blood pressure elevated again. Believe me, I’m double checking all of my neuters these days to confirm there are indeed two completely removed testicles!!!

What sort of bizarre situations have you found your dream self in?