A Vet in Need. . . is a Friend Indeed

Having good neighbors is great – but having a Veterinarian as a neighbor is AWESOME!  Up until the part when they move away and you have to find a new vet and actually transport the dog to a scheduled appointment.  Yes! I was spoiled all these years having Wendy live next door.  She would come to the house, take care of my 2 dogs – Schultz and Gialla and there would never be an issue.  Whenever something ailed any pet in our house – Wendy to the rescue.  Wendy leaving the neighborhood was very sad - not only because she was a great person, but an asset when it came to our pet care.

Today’s first vet appointment was more of an adventure than your normal pet visit.  Schultz and Giallas' limited ability to walk on a leash dragged me through the parking lot – zigging and zagging, stopping to smell everything and getting me tangled up every 3 seconds.  I really thought at one point I was being Punk’d and any second Ashton Kutcher would rescue me.  No such luck. 

Lacking any sort of social skills and manners, Schultz and Gialla acted as if this was the first time they had been out.  They had no idea what was going on and their stress level was high – along with the gas they were expelling that almost made me unconscious.  The vet tried to check Schultz’ heart and my dog did something he has never done before – he growled at her.  This sent up a red flag in my head since I knew Schultz needed 2 shots and being a 100 lb German Sheppard – he may react badly.  On the other hand Gialla – a 60 lb Golden Retriever was more than happy to have her heart listened to, take her shots and whatever else was asked of her.

When it came time to give Schultz his shots, the vet asked ME to put a muzzle on him.  What??!!  Why me?  I can’t even walk these guys on a leash and you want me to muzzle him??  FINE!  I did it!  The poor dog looked like Hannibal Lecter and I think may have been prepared to behave like Hannibal if that muzzle came off.  Three of us managed to hold (if you could call it that) Schultz while we gave him the shots and man was he mad!   With a large handful of treats and lots of sweet talk – I managed to calm Schultz down and finish the exam.  The Doctor asked me to come back in 6 months for another check up – Sorry, but not a chance Doc!

The drag/run/zig-zag mess walk we did back to the car was uneventful.  The hounds knew they were free and going home.  Order was restored in their lives and life was good.  I, on the other hand – pulled my back out, shelled out a lot more money than what I used to pay Wendy and was covered with dog hair and drool.  I guess – all in all it could have been worse, and now I'm prepared for their next vet visit (when my husband brings them).

I do want to put out a public declaration to Wendy that if she EVER wants to move back to New York, there is always room for her to live at the Meslener house!  (Please come back Wendy).