Bad news for Lance; he didn't pass his red syrup tests.  It turned out that the testicle tumor was keeping his body from making more red syrup, so my parents were worried that even once the tumor came out, Lance's problems would continue.  Lance and his mom said a watery-eye-filled good-bye this morning, and Lance took the kind of nap that I've never seen a dog wake up from.

On a more tail-wagging note, one of my favorite visitors, Orchid the pug, came in to show off her new wheels.  And by new wheels I don't mean the big rolling machine her parents brought her in.  Orchid had been having back trouble for about a year.  Each visit she would have a harder and harder time getting around; her little pug legs would slip and slide out from under her.  Orchid even went to visit the special back doctor but her parents just couldn't make her have a cutting procedure.  So mother finally suggested the wheels. 
I had no idea that dogs could wear wheels just like the big rolling machines.  Orchid enjoyed every minute of her visit to our clinc showing off.  She ran through the place, bouncing off the walls and careening off the human's feet.  "Freedom" she said with every step "finally my back legs can keep up with my front legs again!" 
I was so happy for her.  I think I was happy -- part of me wanted Orchid to leave so I could try the wheels out for myself, but most of me was happy for her.  You just can't keep a good dog down!