February 10, 2003
Hangin' out.
9:00 p.m.
The second round of puppy shots were very anti-climatic. The trip to the veterinarian (it was cold and windy) was almost more stressful.
From the moment we walked in the vet's office, it was treat time for Dusty. She received treats from the receptionist, from me as we waited, then lots of treats on the examination table.
Besides the fact that she slid around the table like it was an ice rink, she seemed pretty content. While the vet looked at her record, she layed in the crook of my arm on her back, grunting as I rubbed her belly. Not a nervous dog!
The vet weighed her - she's 6.3 lbs this time. He checked her eyes, ears, mouth, and showed me how to clip her nails (I bought a doggy nail clipper at the pet store beforehand). He told me that the stool sample we brought in last time was a negative.
Then he started preparing the needle. I started preparing the treats - I had a whole handful ready, well before the vet had filled the needle.
Dusty slid and skittered on the table, not really upset but very keen for the treats. She licked my fingers and sniffed. By the time the vet walked over to do his thing, she was oblivious to his movements. As he stuck her with the needle, I opened my hand. The most notice Dusty gave the vet, as she gobbled down liver treats, was a casual glance back as if to say "Hey! I felt a poke!"
She ate more treats afterward, from the vet's hand ("Wow! These people in white coats are great! They give me treats!" He gave her a nasal drip to innoculate against kennel cough (there's a scorge of kennel cough in Toronto dog parks) and we chatted for a bit longer. Then, it was over and we went home.
She was wildly active for about a half hour, then fell asleep in the middle of the floor. When I picked her up, she could only manage a pathetic whimper and she felt warmer than usual (the vet said she might be feverish). I sat down in the papsan chair and cuddled her. She loves the papasan - it's a special treat, since I normally don't allow her up there. I left her there as I got ready to go to my hockey game.
She had another burst of energy after I got back, but now she's asleep again. I'll bet she's back to her usual form by tomorrow morning though!