Ethan’s name wasn’t called. Instead, he was recognized and simply motioned into the room. The vet who called them back hadn’t worked for his mother long before she passed, so Ethan hadn’t gotten to know him as well as some others. He was certainly grayer than he remembered, though.
“You’ve grown well, it seems,” the vet said as he settled Toby in. “Your parents talk about you every time they bring this one in.” He flipped open Toby’s chart. “Third year of college?”
“Yeah, that’s right.” Ethan said. He watched as the vet set Toby’s chart down and picked up a squeaky toy. “I don’t think his ears are the problem.”
“Oh, I know what the problem is,” the vet said. “He’s gotten into something he shouldn’t have: Nest of squirrels. Same thing he’s in for every time.” At that, the vet rolled his eyes. “For such a smart dog he can be really stupid.” Ethan just nodded. “This, however, is for his hearing. I’ve been testing his hearing every time for the past several visits.”
The vet proceeded to squeak the toy around Toby’s head, starting at a distance and slowly working his way closer. It was only at a much closer distance that the toy drew Toby’s attention. The vet then exchanged the toy for a scope and began peering into both ears. “I’m sorry to say that he has rapid hearing loss,” the vet said, “On top of a stupid obsession for some poor squirrel’s nest.”
The proceeded to administer two shots, medicine and vitamins, before pulling out a booklet on canine hearing loss from the cabinets. He handed it to Ethan. “This will tell you all that you and your parents need to know a lot more eloquently than I can. However, any questions or concerns come straight to this office. I don’t want to hear that you guys went searching the internet for answers.”