Both have trouble walking and appear to require a hip replacement

The FIRST patient is examined within the hour, is x-rayed

the same day and has a time booked for surgery the following week.

The SECOND sees his family doctor after waiting 3 weeks for

an appointment, then waits 8 weeks to see a specialist, then gets an x-ray,

which isn't reviewed for another week and finally has his surgery

scheduled for 6 months from then. This schedule is probably optimistic at

best.

Why the different treatment for the two patients?

The FIRST is a Golden Retriever.

The SECOND is a Senior Citizen.