Our annual visit to the vets for vaccinations and kennel cough boosters. Bob bounds in. It's not until he's on the examination table that he realises this might not be a 'wonderful' experience. He's had his injections and is off the table before he can make his unhappiness known.
Sophie watches her brother disappear into the surgery. She makes modulating high pitched noises in the waiting room. She is 'encouraged' in to see the vet. Encouraged in this sense means picked up.
Bob exudes good health. Sophie is displaying allergic reaction either to the very high pollen levels or to the kibbles we've been feeding her. The vet thinks its probably the wheat in the latter. We'll change to Hills Ideal Balance. The symptoms ? Overactive tear ducts and a staining on a back paw.
As a treat Bob is given a long walk down to the waterfall.
Sophie goes with 'The Font' on a power walk round the lake. She then displays a keen interest in the baking of the Simnel cake.
Angus has booked rooms for the family in a hotel in California. He's not sure if the payment on the card has gone through. He calls the hotel. The receptionist answers with a less than welcoming '' I'm busy with guests right now. Call again later ". Angus says he's phoning from France. '' That's not my look out " comes the reply. The phone is then put down. This must surely win some sort of award for customer service ... or lack of it.
26 comments:
So, you've changed to a different hotel?
Brave boy, Bob !
We've tried various anti-allergenic kibble (including Hills), for our one Lab, who has the same problem with her eyes. It works to a certain extent, but we found that she put on weight, so had to reduce the amount we gave her.
It sounds as though a wonderful welcome awaits you at your California hotel... Whatever happened to a pleasant telephone manner?
Sophie could do with having her portions reduced. There again she might not agree.
There is a downside to those special 'pay in advance ' room rates.
I'm interested in the diagnosis of allergies for Sophie. At what point is a tear duct classified as 'over-active'? It's something I've wondered about Bertie's eyes. Hope the new diet works.
Cheers,
Gail.
PS Is that hotel in anyway connected to the restaurant you contact in California a while back?
There is an easy test that they can do. If the eyes are encrusted then there maybe allergies.
The hotel and restaurant are unrelated. Perhaps it's a sign that the economy is doing so well that staff are hard to come by ?
Our girl certainly didn't !
So you've booked a different hotel, right ??
Are you heading to L.A.? Cause that sounds like it. I'm sorry, not every one in California is rude.
Welcome to the Hotel California.
Bonnie n Kenzie
It's called the hospitality industry, but apparently that should be in quotes.
I have used a dogfood called Taste of the Wild, with good results. No wheat or corn, and happier doggie innards as a result. Smaller portions are recommended than for more conventional foods.
Yes, the rude people in California is getting bad, you have to be made out of steel to stay here.
Like Babycakes said, I'm sorry, too. All of us Californians are not rude!
The rude manners of the California hotel and restaurant staff are very disappointing and I apologize on their behalf. I think it may not be a special California trait but more a product of the times in which we live. But perhaps we have raised it to a new level.
Is it rude to note that the veterinarian building lacks a pleasing landscape? But it is more than compensated for by the beauty of the Rickety Old Farmhouse.
The vets used to be in the centre of the little market town but has moved out to new, purpose built, premises by the supermarket. What it lacks in charm it makes up for in the warmth and quality of the vets.
I think it must be something to do with any establishment that includes the word 'fine' in its advertising ie fine dining, fine lodgings, fine service etc. Patrons must presumably have to suffer to enjoy the 'finer' things in life. You can be sure that this trend will reappear on this side of the Atlantic.
Perhaps it's a new form of sun tax ?
Thank you. We shall look out for Taste of the Wild.
Prepaid. Non-refundable. Never believe the 5000 Tripadvisor reviews that say a place is wonderful. Always look at the ones in the middle.
Yes, a very well known establishment off Sunset.
It makes life interesting.
Very interested in the staining on the back paw. Merlin has recently developed a habit of licking both front paws, same place either side to the point of making them bleed a little, which has also resulted in a stained chin. I wonder if it's an allergy too? He's on Fromm Senior Gold, which is low in wheat, but maybe a change is in order.
Wilf used to do the same ( and scratch his ears ). We cut out protein from his diet and it did the trick. PONz would really be happy on a diet of raw vegetables. This is why we now give them carrots, lots and lots of them, as treats. Wheat in kibbles isn't as bad as protein but also seems to set off PON allergies with paws and ears. When we get back we'll change their feed and see what it does.
Which is the only thing that matters. You're fortunate to have their caring and expertise to rely upon.
Again, I'm embarrassed by your lack of customer service -- I'll just have to hope they have your reservation, etc., and your stay is much more pleasant than the conversation.
I also hope Hugo is better. It sounds to me like it may be what's called "old dog vestibular syndrome." It's best described like an inner ear infection, and dogs walk in circle. It can be (and is) quite disconcerting, for both dog and owner. We've had 3-4 dogs that have had it, and they do "right themselves" but it can take time.
Glad it was a "pretty good" visit to the vet for Bob and Sophie!
When you said wheat allergy, my thoughts immediately went to Sophie's illicit morning croissant.
Easier to change a diet at home than well established habits at the cafe. You'll have to bring treats from home.
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