A nail in Frances' front right paw had broken all the way down to the quick. It probably had a fissure in it, which was softened up yesterday when I bathed her (a process that takes far longer than it used to, now that I have RA, which means she stood in bathwater considerably longer than usual). Anyhow, somehow or other this afternoon the fissure got caught on something--possibly a loop in the carpet--and tore the nail right up the middle. I'm told she was probably in terrific pain, and it's a tribute to her good nature that she let me touch or move her at all. No growlies, just (very understandable!) squirmies.
They put her out and took care of the broken nail--and clipped all of her (thick, black) nails while they were at it. When the vet tech finally emerged from the inner sanctum of the hospital, she said, "Frances is fine--but it's going to be a while before you can leave, because she's a serious lightweight. She's really enjoying the drug!" They had wanted her to walk out to the car on her leash on her own, but--an hour later--she still couldn't manage it, so I dumped a sack of clothes out onto the back seat (clothes meant for the Goodwill that had been riding around in the trunk for months) and we placed her there, a furry little sack of potatoes. We're home now and she's still out. (They told me to expect as much; some dogs--like some people--are just extra sensitive. She will open her eyes and look around--and then a minute later it's snoozy time again.)
The doc sent me home with pain meds and (just in case) an antibiotic. The whole thing--including tax, lol--came to $178.08. I estimated the damages pretty darn well. To those of you who donated, commented, and/or recommended the original diary, thank you so much for caring about me and my little dog. We are both happy and contented now.