Grim day, with cake

Today was one of the crappiest days I've ever had at work. First I found out that the wonderful Japanese clients I sent back to Japan with a health certificate were now without their dog, because the Japanese quarantine officials didn't like that I left a 3 year old rabies vaccine off their form. After getting the forms faxed to me from Japan, filling them out and taking them twice to the USDA for certification (thank goodness we're in Austin), then faxing and Fedex-ing them to Japan, and numerous international phone calls, I am hopeful they will be able to get their beloved dog on Monday. This endeavor started at 8:30 am and ended at 4 pm.

We also had the electricity go out for about an hour due to weather, which made everything at our computerized clinic STOP. We were backed up for hours.

Also, a dog bit me unprovoked on the hand. It didn't break the skin but it hurt and bruised.

Worst of all, I lost a beloved patient under anesthesia for no good reason. She had a full preanesthetic workup that was normal. She did well for most of the procedure. We saw her oxygenation drop, so we started breathing for her. Then her heart just stopped, and despite CPR and epinephrine and intense efforts for 30 minutes, she was inexplicably gone. I could write a lot more about this subject but it pains me too much. Days like today make me question everything about the fragile, precious lives in our hands. Thank goodness for the grace and kindness of the technicians, doctors, and managers around me.

And, to completely change the subject - have you ever had a friend tell you about their dream, and it was so vivid and funny you felt like you were there? And so you were inspired to make them a birthday cake about their dream?

My friend Fran had a dream about cats who lived in aquariums, swimming happily underwater. She's turning 30, hence the cake (designed by me, but totally executed by Anthony). Feliz cumpleanos, Fran!


Also, find everything you wanted to know about making a cupcake cake here.