Dog gone it

Sorry I haven't written in a while. I got a job selling shoes to diabetics, well really giving them away. In 1993 Congress passed a bill requiring insurance companies to cover the cost of a new pair of shoes and Orthodox for diabetics with foot issues to help prevent the deterioration of their feet. Medicare and Medicaid are on board to pay my fee.

A crisis was occurring with injuries and infections leading to amputations and death. A new pair of shoes helps to keep the diabetic foot healthy. I go to people's homes and fit them. Many of my clients are  elderly and have a hard time getting out and about, let alone go shopping for a custom pair of shoes for their feet, especially if they have nerve issues or soars.

I do a medical foot exam in the home and take molds for the Orthodox, and come back in a month with a new pair of shoes that fit the way they should. We also do educational seminars to make people aware of how important it is to care for your feet.

Even the simple every day process of washing and drying a foot well can prevent the spread of fungus that leads to infected nails and the nail falling off leaving an open wound. I could  tell you I have seen some feet, but all my visits are confidential. Reminding people to check inside a shoe before putting it on, to see if they might have picked up a rock or pebble they can't feel, can save injury. Putting lotion on a dry chapping foot prevents cracking, split skin,  and soars.

Today I had a humorous moment I have to share.

I was picking up an item from a client for a little tweaking for a better fit. We do that. If a shoe or orthotic doesn't feel right, we come back and adjust it or replace it as necessary as part of the package, at no extra fee.

The home had two small yappy dogs. They were all excited when I knocked on the door. It took a while for the owner to reach the door to open it. When the door opened the owner says "don't let the dogs out". but by that time the smaller one had squeezed through the opening. It hadn't wasted a moment to escape. It was attacking my feet and legs. The dog bit me, my pant leg, and my shoe, before taking off across the street. There is no way the owner was in any condition to chase the dog. I sell Orthodox to people with foot issues, remember. I tell her I will go after the dog, even though the dam dog just attacked me before running off. The owner hands me a doggy treat to entice the escapee.

I run after the dog. He is so small he can go under the cars rather than around them. He is having a ball. He pauses to piss on the neighbor's car tires and mail box and garbage can and flower bed. Any time I get close, holding out my little treat calling in a sweet voice "Here dear nice adorable doggy, come for your treat." He knows I just want to call the pound.

The owner stands at the door of the house watching helplessly. The dog finally runs out of fluids. After having me follow him around the block in a little circle, twice, turns for home and runs into his house where the owner is patiently waiting, holding the door open. He never did take the treat, but he sure had a swell time at my expense.

I can tell  dogs are going to be an adventure in this business. I had one house where the dog just wanted to sit in my lap, with his nose in my face, while I tried to do the foot exam. Another dog had flea issues. Feet are easy compared to dogs.