There Is No Scorn Like That Of A Toddler

[ladysprite]

I had a client lay some serious smackdown on me the other day....

It was, overall, a fairly normal appointment. The owner brought in their dog, for some standard concern that I can't remember, and isn't really relevant to the story. They also brought their adorable little daughter, who looked to be around 3 1/2-4 years old. Said daughter was adorable in every way, and had, in turn, brought a little toy carrier with a little stuffed dog inside.

I love little kids, and I love having them in the exam room, especially when they're sweet and well-behaved, and this one was. I commented on her bringing her puppy just like her parent, and she smiled at me, and proceeded to pay very close attention as I did my exam and talked to the owner and went over diagnostic options and made a plan.

As I turned away from the exam table she did too, and hurried over to her little plastic carrier, taking out the stuffed dog. While I'd had a fairly busy morning, I had a few extra minutes before my next appointment, so I asked her if her puppy needed a checkup, too.

And this adorable, dimpled, pre-preschool-aged toddler looked up at me with an expression of surprise and long-suffering patience the likes of which I've never seen on someone under forty and said, slowly and clearly, 'It's not a real dog.....'

I thank all the powers that be that I was already heading out of the room, because it meant that I was able to bite my lip and hold my laughter until the door was shut behind me.....

Comments

[rufinia.livejournal.com]

Wow, I totally needed that image this morning. Thanks!

[denimskater.livejournal.com]

<3 <3 <3

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

:)

[evcelt.livejournal.com]

hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee...

[moiramisu.livejournal.com]

That's awesome - thank you for sharing. You have a gift IMO for interesting succinct narrative.

[z-gryphon.livejournal.com]

Yes, there's nothing that gives an adult fresh perspective on the world like receiving the faintly-pitying "... dolt." look from someone too young to know that mud isn't food.

[riolobo.livejournal.com]

Kids can be Teh Awesum. My niece, at the age of four-ish, was being carted around the grocery store with mom, and began putting up a fuss over a sugary breakfast cereal that mommy did not want to get. Robyn whined, "But I NEEEED it!"
Mommy, trying to put things into perspective, asked incredulously, "You mean you'll DIE if you don't have it?"
And this toddler, without missing a beat and in complete seriousness, replied, "I might as well!!"

[flaviarassen.livejournal.com]

Mine learned at a very early age not to even try that one.
'Cuz I looked 'em straight in the eye & said something
like "Guess we're all gonna miss you."

[flowing-dancer.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I needed a laugh!

[johnprester.livejournal.com]

Having just left a job at a preschool, I am grateful for the fresh perspective. Every September, I would listen to the Daily Meltdown and mutter, "I'd forgotten how much I missed that sound...not at all!"

I'd forgotten how much fun children could be in limited doses. Thank you.

[flaviarassen.livejournal.com]

I guess my answer of "I thought it would be fun to pretend"
might have spoiled that little moment, then, huh?

[kitsunesan.livejournal.com]

D'awwww. X3 That sounds adorable.