Rewards Once Removed

I dithered over whether or not to toss the latest sock-in-progress into the school bag last night.  I dithered for quite a while, truth be told.  In the end, I decided to take it along because who knows then the fates will be kind and allow for a minute of knitting during the day?

Not a single one of the fates opted to turn a shining countenance my way, though.  I'm assuming that they think my evening might have been better spent checking on the Very Complicated Kitty's medication supply rather than dithering.  The big fellow takes a tricyclic for anxiety and I swear to you that I saw at least three of those little pills rattling around in the bottle when last I checked.  The truth of the matter was that he gobbled down the last one today with his breakfast so I was going to have to get some more and pronto.

I have never spent any time around an anxious cat, but I am assuming that this is unpleasant...

I was stuck at school for longer than I planned today, but was eventually able to get out the door and proceed to the pharmacy.  I was tired.  Very tired.  But the my boy needs his happy pills, right?  I dragged my weary self to the counter, empty yellow bottle in hand.

Perfectly Coiffed Lady Pharmacist:  Good afternoon.  How may I help you?

Sheepish Annie: (holds the bottle out beseechingly) Um...hi.  I was wondering if I could refill this here.  My vet called the prescription in to the wrong pharmacy last time and I thought it might be nice if my cat and I were registered at the same place.  


PCLP:  (peers at the bottle)  Of course!  We can do that with no problem.  You say this is for your cat?


SA:  Yeah.  Sometimes the vision you have for your life doesn't exactly match the reality.


PCLP:  (gives a reassuring look)  Oh, we do this all the time.  Now...let's get him in the system.  It's Androcles, right?


SA: (astonished that someone outside her immediate circle is able to pronounce the name without assistance) Why...yes!  Yes it is!!


PCLP:  And you are a member of our Healthy Rewards Program?


SA:  No.  My medications don't qualify so I don't think we need to...


PCLP:  (clicks a few more computer keys and nods)  Yes.  Your cat's medication is covered under that program.  I'll just get you the application and you can finish filling it out when you pick up the prescription.

(I'd like to pause here to repeat that.  My medication does not qualify for the discount program.  My cat's medication does qualify for the discount program.  Health care reform, people.  Think about it...)


I reviewed the pertinent details and was pleased to learn that for small yearly fee, the VCK's medication would cost a mere four bucks per refill.  Since he only takes a half a pill each day, this is crazy cheap!  I trotted happily off to do a little grocery shopping while I waited for them to finish filling the prescription.  There was a line at the counter when I returned, but I was already into this pretty deep so I figured I should finish the transaction.  At last, it was my turn.

SA:  I'm here to pick up a prescription for Androcles...or me.  I don't know which.  One of us takes it, the other one gets to pay for it.


Perky Pharmacy Tech:  Yup.  Got it right here!  And you are signing up for the rewards program so you'll just need to fill out this form here.


SA:  (diligently filling in the required information)  Um...what do I put here?  Do I give him my last name?  I don't know his birthday.  I don't think he has a job at the moment, but who really knows what he does during the day...did I mention that he's a cat?


PPT:  That's no problem.  I use this program for my dog all the time.  And once someone came in and signed up two guinea pigs.


SA:  Dear God...


PPT:  That's it.  You just need to sign electronically here...and here.  The second one is the privacy statement.  We've found that cats can be really upset when you share their personal information.



That last one just about put me over the edge.  I have a deep and abiding appreciation for people who can see the humor in a situation.  For the record, the guy waiting in line behind me was not quite so amused.  I think he wanted his medicine or something.  Frankly, I found him to be a bit of a killjoy.

Tonight, I will not engage in frivolous dithering.  I will spend my time working the pill splitter and preparing my cat's medication like a good mother should.  I will do so secure in the knowledge that the pharmaceutical companies are looking out for the welfare of my cat and his mental health.

Rewardz.  I can haz them.

SA