I got the ambulance bill today from when they took Smokey's body away

I got a shocker today. I got the ambulance bill from the day Smokey died and they took his body away on November 15, 2009.  Why does it take seven months before they send me the bill?  I don't understand.  It is quit the shocker.  I knew I would be getting this bill as that doesn't come as a surprise.  What is a surprise is why does it take so long?  I don't understand that at all. 
Curious, Diane