No collars. No itching. No medication. Another milestone on the road to recovery.
Angus comes downstairs and says good morning to Sophie. This is the cue for the family diva to express her delight. She rolls on her back, waves her legs in the air, squeals and settles down for a long tickle. Her harness is then put on. The front part goes on easily. The back section, due to the wildly kicking legs, is more of a problem. What we would have done without the double harness I don't know. Angus's back would certainly have been the worse for wear.
Sophie is then moved out into the small courtyard for some fresh air and moment of 'detente'. Sophie, being a clever girl, has discovered that a stone wall can provide support at such important times.
Breakfast follows. The PONs usually get fed after us but we've found that if Sophie has a full tummy she's happy and quiet. She now gets fed thirty minutes after waking. The rest of us can then get on with our lives in peace. Such little routines make all the difference.
Bob continues to put up with living in the shadow of his sister. Thankfully, he's the sort of dog who's happy to tag along wherever Angus goes.
This morning master and dog go to the barbers. Bob settles down under the sickly aspidistra and studiously ignores the three old farmers who attempt to engage him in conversation. He pretends to be asleep but from time to time his fringe moves. Haircut completed we head off to the square in the big market town. Angus has a coffee and reads Les Echos. Bob settles under the table and is brought a bowl of water and a wholemeal biscuit. The waiter takes the biscuit out of the cellophane wrapper and presents it to the male PON. The biscuit is swallowed whole. ' Would he like another ? ' I'm asked. The kind offer is declined. A reminder that you can never be alone when travelling with a shaggy dog in France.
A crane arrives and is parked outside the churchyard. Repairs are to take place on the swaying Jesus. This is now leaning at six degrees from the vertical on a still day, eight - maybe a little more - when it's windy. The repairs will coincide with the regional petanque competition and dinner. Angus just knows that this combination is going to be interesting.
18 comments:
Very nice to see a happy Sophie face!
Reckon the answer to the biscuit question would have been very much different if it were from your delightful shaggy companion.
Happy smiles at the family diva who is looking a little better today.
That's lovely positive news -
As a vet it is always interesting to read about how owners have to cope with the after care - we send you off happily post op, but I know it was always a shock to me how much work it actually is when they are needing this level of care. Something I learned when my Saffy was very ill once. Not easy for working owners at all! Sophie is a very lucky girl... and Bob is a wee saint, like his humans.
Good ol' Bob.
Resorting to food to obtain happiness can be a slippery slope for a diva. Spoken by one who knows.
I agree with Fi, who said it perfectly.
Sophie is a very lucky girl and Bob and his humans ARE saints.
But, of course, Sophie is SO worth all the "trouble".
Pam in NH
It's so nice to see Sophie looking happy. How long before her next surgery?
Happy the Diva is feeling better and is back with her "pack"!
Bob is so stoic with all of the fuss o erhis sister. :)
Happy the Diva is feeling better and is back with her "pack"!
Bob is so stoic with all of the fuss o erhis sister. :)
A visit to Google informs me that we have a pétanque club in Los Angeles! Who knew! http://www.losangelespetanque.com/index.shtml
Mlle Sophie is looking radiant this morning!
It's the little things that aren't in any of the books. How do you get a dog who can't stand to relieve herself ? How do you know if she's in pain ? How often should she be exercised ? Should you be worried if she doesn't pee for two days ? When should she be allowed to take her first walk ? Thankfully, all those things have been dealt with and put down to experience.
I should also say that Dog Blog land is full of kind people who come up with solutions quickly and expertly. This makes everything so much easier. A problem shared is a problem halved.
Depending on how the first operation has gone. Looks like three or four weeks.
We’re very familiar with the routine of accommodating the pets first so that “we can then get on with our lives in peace.” It’s wonderful to hear how well Sophie is faring plus the doings of Bob about town.
This must be so hard on all of you, but at least you'll have a general idea of what to expect.
All things that happen as a routine when they are in hospital but are huge to owners. Of course many people don't have the expertise or the time, or the interest or the money. The suicide rate in the vet profession is often because of the fact so many people opt for euthanasia of pets we care about when it isn't actually required....
I am loving the advice - good to read international ideas and learn new things. The next surgery should be easier as you know what to expect but don't overburden the first leg....
Sophie looks so contented in that first photo - let's hope she continues to feel that way. What would Sophie do without such a caring brother.
Fun and games ahead with the swaying Jesus !
Thinking ahead: with cold weather coming, I am concerned Sophie's back side is going to get cold. Maybe someone could knit her some pantaloons!
Yes, I was thinking the same thing. With so much of her body shaved, a warm coat may be just the thing to keep the areas nice and warm.
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