So it’s Friday morning at 4:30am when my alarm clock goes off. It has been doing this five days a week for about two months. I took this job with “large-worldwide-well known-jean maker” back in late May after a few months of fruitless job searching.

I roll out of bed and start my day. I am at work by nine and, while I try to focus on my detail heavy job, something isn’t right. My supervisor isn’t at her desk at all today. I suspect they may be doing another round of hiring (I am a temp) and shoot off a good will letter to my SOMA (supervisor) asking how I might increase my chances in the next round.

There is something else weighing on my mind. Ludo has been sick. For days he has not felt well and has stopped eating any of his food. He is lethargic and it is very hot outside. I am worried sick. But I took Tuesday off to tend to him, so I cannot take today off.

Two o’clock rolls around and I leave for the day, satisfied with another hard day of detail intensive work. I take my co-worker, Jenn, home and head to the gym. I want a membership. After signing up for an expensive, month-to-month, membership I head home.

When I arrive the news is terrible: Ludo has stopped drinking water. This is what my vet has told me to watch out for. It is hot, he is sick and now he will become dehydrated. His risk of not making it through this sickness just skyrocketed. I panic and seize him up into his leash and drag him to the car. We are going to the vet, NOW.

Through sheer terror I manage to make it to the vet in one piece. Even though they are packed and an hour from closing they see Ludo right away. I am seconds away from tears with all the worst running through my mind when I get the call:

Me: Hello?
Temp Agency: Hi is this The Lion?
Me: Yes, this is her.
TA: I am really sorry but “large-worldwide-well known-jean maker” has decided to end your assignment.
Me: *shocked silence* …what?
TA: I’m sorry.
Me: *shocked silence*
TA: I’m sorry. Please turn in your badge. We will collect your things from your office. You are not to enter the building. Goodbye.
Me: ….what?!?

As I hang up the vet calls me into the back room. He wants to do X-Rays. It seems that, although Ludo has not eaten, he is gassy, not a good sign. We decide to hold off on the X-rays until tomorrow. We will give it one more night, force feeding him water and see how he does.

I pay the vet bill (thankfully, it isn’t too much) and turn to E, my roommate, to tell her about the call. I am practically in tears in the vet’s office. I just spent three months out of work and here, two months later, I am looking at finding another job in, what I believe is, the WORST job market ever.

I can,however, be grateful for one thing. We took Ludo home and fed him rice and boiled chicken. I sprayed water down his throat every 30 minutes all night long. By the next day, he was playing again. Saturday afternoon, he was eating and today, Monday, he is back to being his normal monstrous self.

Bad things come in threes, but this weekend I was spared what could have been the worst: the death of my dear companion, Ludo. I will take anything over that.