Dr. Stumpys' Real Job

After almost an hour of prying, pulling, cutting and stitching, he returned the dog to its owner, who asked what she owed.
"Thirty dollars, Ma'am," he answered.
"Why that's simply outrageous!" she stormed. "That's what's wrong with you Maine people, you're always trying to overcharge summer visitors. Whatever do you do in the winter, when we're not being gypped here?"
"Raise porcupines, Ma'am."
Originally published December 29, 2002.