Seems kids and pets always get sick in the evening, on the weekend, or worse yet, on a holiday. We've been blessed never to have needed the emergency room for our son, but our little pooch, Zipper, is another story.

A few summers ago, Zipper and I were out working in the yard. He was having a blast exploring the woods while I pulled weeds. But when he emerged from the brush, I noticed something was very wrong. Zippers' eyes were rimmed in red and swollen; his lips looked puffy too.

As I examined him more closely, I saw he had many red welts on his head. Oh, my goodness, wasp or bee stings?

Wouldn't you know, it was on a holiday. Now what?

We called our vet in Glendale. Their phone message directed us to the Animal Emergency Center. I called them and let them know we were coming in.

What a blessing! They are open 24 hours a day, every day--even holidays. They were easy to get to and quickly attended to our pet.

Poor Zip must have encountered a wasp nest or minor bees in our woods? He had around 20 stings. If I had not seen him in time, he might have met his Maker!

After a few hours at the emergency center, we were able to take our dog home. We were very grateful to have found a place to take him in his hour of need.

Just in case you may have a pet emergency...

The Animal Emergency Center is at 2100 W. Silver Spring Dr., Glendale, WI  53209, 414-540-6710

I took I-94 to I-43 north to Silver Spring west exit, then west on Silver Spring to 21st street. The emergency center is on the north side of the street.

Hope you never need them!

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I just got off the phone with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the smoke is still pouring out of my ears. I needed to call about an extension on an emissions test because the car in question is not drivable at present. Although I had just been to the actual emission test facility and stopped in the office to ask for the extension, the woman in the office said I needed to call. So, call I did.

I dialed the Milwaukee number. I listened through an extensive menu list. Finally at selection 5, I heard something that sounded like the department I needed. I punched in 5.

Now I had to listen through a whole host of other information about emissions. Finally after a few minutes the menu message stated to press 0 to speak to a PERSON. I pressed 0.

The message under 0 was this, that, and the other thing, and finally the recorded voice stated that the office was CLOSED!

Couldn't they have told me that 5 minutes and umpteen menus ago?

We have 2 vehicles with tags due in March. The cost to renew the plates of course is now $75.00 instead of the former $50.00 each. While at the emissions office I also picked up a Title Application form for a used car we just purchased. The cost on that form bears a hand written $69.50 instead of the printed in $45.00. Sarcasm here: Thank you Gov. Doyle for not raising our taxes. (That makes a total increase of $129.50 for our household of cars this year.)

I still have to call back tomorrow, but the thought came to me: Are people crazy that they think government run health care will be better and cheaper? 

I have needed to call my health insurance company. It is often not all that pleasant, but it is never as bad as calling the DMV! 

... 

OK, that was yesterday, now it is the next day. I called again. This time, after about 6 minutes, I did get a live body to speak to. The man told me I could not have an extension but that I would need to purchase a temporary license plate to get the car to the emissions test place after my tags expired! I told him the woman at the title window at the emissions place said if I called,  the extension would be granted. He insisted, no, he could not.  

Do you really want to deal with this kind of help when it comes to your health care?

Links: Betterbrookfield,  Vicki Mckenna 

This Wednesday, February 20th, there will be a Community Education Meeting to explain the new Family Care Program at the Waukesha County Expo Center 4H Forum Building, North Hall . (1000 Northview Road, Waukesha) You may choose to attend the 3 pm or 6 pm session. 

The meetings are sponsored by the Waukesha County Human Services and Health Department, Waukesha County Department of Senior Services, Care Wisconsin, and Community Care Inc. They will explain the new Family Care Program (formerly the Community Options Program) and they will have a Q & A opportunity too.

Basically, as I understand it, this program allows the elderly or those in need of assisted living to remain in their assisted living facility, even after their private funds run out. In other words, Medicaid would pay for assisted living.

In the past, Medicaid would only pay for the traditional nursing home after the patient used up their own private resources. But now, through this program, Medicaid will pick up the tab on assisted living facilities too.

In case you did not know, usually assisted living facilities are much less expensive than the traditional nursing home. Nursing homes run about $6,000+ a month while some assisted living apartments or homes cost closer to $3,000 per month. Thus this program saves the taxpayers some money. At those rates, it is easy to see how a senior could go through their hard earned savings very quickly.

The program is not automatic, you must plan for it. If anyone in your family is facing the prospect of assisted living or long term care, but has limited resources, this meeting could be beneficial. Check it out and visit the websites.

Websites: dhfs.wisconsin.gov/ltcare, familypartnershipltc.org,  

Links: Betterbrookfield,  Vicki Mckenna 

My State Assemblyman Leah Vukmir sent me the following email today, which I am pleased to share with you.

She and Senator Ted Kanavas are proposing a constitutional amendment that would give us the right to enter into private contracts for health insurance.

2007 Assembly Joint Resolution: To create section 27 of article I of the constitution; relating to: the right of the people to contract privately for health care services and health care coverage and prohibiting requiring a person to participate in a state−sponsored health care system or plan (first consideration).

Whoever thought it would come to this? But at the rate our government both at the Federal level with SCHIP and State level with Badger Care is expanding government run health care programs, I am glad to see this type of guarantee for our right to choose our own private health insurance introduced. (This measure does not discontinue the government programs.)

Be sure to contact your representatives in the Assembly and Senate as well as the Governor and Republican Majority and Minority leaders. I will be encouraging these legislators to co-sponsor and approve this measure. (Contact information follows the email)