A few weeks ago I blogged about the final moments for our family's guinea pig Corkey.

RELATED: A Dad's Life: R.I.P. Corkey

It felt like a scene from "ER." Dr. Greene and Dr. Lockhart trying to save a patient while rushing to the hospital in an ambulance.
In our case, it was my daughter and me doing 65 in a 55 as I drove a dirty station wagon to the emergency vet.

Final scene? Corkey was gone, along with $100 bucks from my checkbook.

My podcasting partner Tracy was the first to weigh in on the heroic measures taken to save Corkey. You can listen to our podcast to hear how the farm girl reacted to the city boy who paid $40 to have the critter cremated. She was not impressed.

Neither was Cindy, who emailed me two words: shoe box.

There were some 'attaboys!' in the inbox.

Here's part of one from Mary:

When I was a farm kid, we had a dog named Corkey... I still think of him affectionately and as a great memory of part of my growing up. My Dad would've NEVER driven him to the vet and pay the $100 in Corkey's last moments of life.

My Dad, sadly, has been gone now for 5 years, I always have, and still do think, he's the greatest Dad anyone could've ever hoped or wished for! I love him and I miss him. Your daughter will always remember what you tried to do for Corkey.

Thanks Mary. I'm learning to take any chance to make a memory with a teenager, even if it's an expensive trip to the vet to save an animal that makes you itch!

There were other emails that convinced me $100 was a drop in the bucket in the world of animal emergencies.

Here's part of one from Susan:

You certainly get an "A" for effort! While you were racing your family pet off to the vet, I was as well. Fortunately our British Lab is ok. But my bill was steep - $1200. Copper grabbed on to my nephew's unattended ice fish line (minnow and all) and down went the hook.

I've attached a couple pictures.  (Check them out at the top of the page.)  The first shows the hook stuck in his esophagus and the second is of our two dogs - Avery and Copper.

Susan says Copper's doing fine and enjoying a fish-free diet these days.

I appreciate all the Corkey condolences. Thanks for checking to see what's up in this dad's life.   

(Copyright 2011 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)