Well, perhaps "road trip" is a misnomer.  It's time for Kako's annual visit with the vet.  I seriously doubt she would think of this as a road trip considering how she dislikes leaving the house and even more seriously dislikes going to the doctor.

You may remember that Kako is prone to urinary tract infections.  In fact, even though she's only just surpassed five years of age, she's had three very significant infections — the first of which nearly killed her.

As with all animals, pain and suffering are signs of weakness and are therefore not disclosed until the they become overwhelming.  For that reason, Kako tends not to show symptoms of an infection until, in the DVM's words, it becomes "raging."

It was during her first visit to the vet with an infection that she was so aptly described as "very unpleasant" — by the veterinarian nonetheless.

You see, Kako has a wee bit of an attitude problem.  Being the only female in the house, she has to make up for her gender minority through the application of some serious attitude.

Yes, she's a bitch.  Yes, she constantly gives you the impression that she's being made to suffer through captivity.  Oh, she doesn't mind the free meals and free room and board and the attention and — without a doubt — the fact that she can hang out with her man (that would be Grendel).  Despite all these good things, however, Kako is her own woman and definitely feels as though she's owed something more than the perfect life she's already given.

Given her attitude under normal circumstances, you can undoubtedly guess that she becomes significantly more vituperative when she's ill.

But you can't help but love her because of her attitude.  In fact, it's one of the endearing qualities she has that ensures her a special place in my life.

That having been said, however, she's still a bitch.

And trips to the vet, even if only on an annual basis, can be quite unpleasant.  But I suppose that's part of what makes her visits to the doctor something to look forward to.

Part of her annual checkup is a pH test.  Because of her tendency for urinary tract infections, having her pH tested is standard maintenance for her condition.

Another part of maintaining her health is a prescription diet.  And, since I've put the kids back on prescription food, Kako has had no significant problems.

On President's Day (February 16), Kako will go visit the doctor, be poked and prodded, get her shots, suffer the alien anal probe (having her temperature checked), and all those other unpleasant activities that come with seeing the vet.  I normally only do rabies shots every year and get distemper every three years.  Doing otherwise is over medicating them and is entirely unnecessary (and possibly unhealthy).

This year just happens to be Kako's year to get all of her shots.

Expect an update on Kako's doctor appointment once it's completed.  Hopefully there will be nothing significant to report outside of the death and destruction she normally causes at the vet's office.