Poor Mocha-the-Dog...we thought she got bit or scratched at the dog park last week, but it turned out to be a gooey skin infection from allergies. Ick, indeed, poor thing.

Fortunately, the good people at the Banfield Animal Clinic at PetSmart fixed her up and gave us a shelf-full of doggy drugs and special ointment, cleanser, shampoo and conditioner. $350 later, we are enrolled in the Pet Wellness Program, enjoy free office visits, 5% discounts (but not on the expensive prescription dog food) and free annual vaccinations, comprehensive exams and counseling...Merry Christmas!

Unfortunately, they also gave her the biggest damn cone of shame we have ever seen. She is depressed. And confused. She gets stuck whenever she runs into anything...she just stands there, as if suction-cupped into place.

We're going to be-dazzle her cone for her -- she looks like the Sun Goddess or a Las Vegas showgirl with the elaborate headdress. Of course, all the kids want to try it on...