There's no friend like a dog friend.

Good thing about the emergency vet: The pop machine sells cold cans of A&W Root Beer for a mere 60 cents.

Bad thing about the emergency vet: Ohmygod, you're here again!

Good thing about the emergency vet: They are open on Sundays, so when you realize that your labradoodle is peeing Merlot, you can get him checked out ASAP.

Bad thing about the emergency vet: This is going to cost you anywhere from $1600 to $2200 because your sweet, sweet dog doesn't have a UTI. He has a mass in his bladder.

Good thing about the emergency vet: Your comrades in the waiting room are kind, like-minded folk. You hold a puppy's leash while his dad fills out paperwork. Then, that dad doesn't steal the iPhone you absentmindedly leave when you finally get to talk to the vet after 2 hours. Later, both you and your waiting room neighbor look on in horror and with a desire to do something - anything - as a man brings in his terrier, who was hit by a car.

Bad thing about the emergency vet: The dog is DOA. You are simultaneously thankful for your own dog's chance at health and desperate for a way to undo this horrible thing.

Good thing about the emergency vet: The people of the waiting room, as a whole, look away, trying to create privacy for the grieving man. The vets and the staff are kind and usher him to a private room where he can take his time with his fallen friend.

Bad thing about the emergency vet: They will keep your poor pup overnight so they can hydrate him and the internal medicine specialist can run diagnostics in the morning.

Good thing about the emergency vet: You know they will take good care of your boy.

Bad thing about the emergency vet: You were just here a few months ago and had to say goodbye a sweet and loyal friend. You've already filled your quota for canine sadness for this year. Your heart is raw and worried.