Sophie watches the school buses head off. The teenagers are too busy texting to notice her but the primary schoolers wave and shout 'Bonjour'. Later she will go out to greet the pre-schoolers. She finds these outings deeply satisfying.
'The Font' will be heading down with Bob to the local vet for blood tests . His inability to use the eyelids on the left eye a worry. Perhaps drops are needed ?
Sophie is a toughie and doesn't mind going to the vets or the hospital. Bob, although he wouldn't like to admit it, is absolutely petrified. He is a sensitive soul. Maybe female PONs are just more independent. We think our local vets are wonderful but there's a tendency to schedule tests spread over weeks.
It makes more sense for the tests to be scheduled on one day so that he isn't forever being sedated or having blood taken from his paw. If there's no clinic in Toulouse that can do the MRI and the ear work at the same time let's find one somewhere else that can. Having him sedated once rather two or three times can't be beyond the wit of man. 'The Font' will explain this strategy to the vets and attempt to convince them it's their idea.
From the top of the ridge we can see there's a line of clouds out towards Bordeaux and the Atlantic. Perhaps a change in the weather is on the way. It's been so warm we haven't yet lit a fire.
Prune eclairs in the bakers.
We settle for a coffee tart and slice of strawberry cake. Bob is not allowed to eat before his blood tests so the choux pastry flakes he was offered will need to wait until tomorrow.
So starts a December Monday morning in deepest, deepest France profonde.
23 comments:
You may be right about female PONs. Cherry went in for a periodic X-Ray and EKG last Friday and acted like she'd spent the afternoon at the park when we went to pick her up. (All good on the heart front.) I do hope you are able to find out soon what's troubling Bob.
We had a charity bake-off in my office this afternoon, and I thought it was an impressive spread - until I saw the photos in your post!
Best wishes to all.
No choux pastry flakes, our lovely lad will know something is up ! We hope all goes well for the little chap, and he's none the worse for the ordeal. Courage mon brave, courage. Perhaps it's built into the female genes (human and animal) to be able to accept all these indignities with aplomb?
Coffee and strawberry would be our choice too !
I suspect that if anyone change persuade the vet to arrange a more Bob-friendly test schedule, then it is the Font. Wishing her success with that, as we are all worried about the dear family fellow.
Here on the Westcoast of Canada - we heartily concur! Being sedated (for us, a dog loving family) is the most worrisome part. So if all can be done in one go.........let's hope The Font can persuade the Vets in the sanity of this plan. BOB does not need to be put out several times, just
to accommodate calendar schedules, etc. Fingers crossed that all will be done - for his own well being. For that is what truly counts. ANGUS - we hope for all four of you that you will have answers sooner, rather than later. Hopefully all good news - to insure a very very Merry Christmas at the R.O.F.
Multiple visits for tests seem to be the way they roll in France, for humans, too. It's one thing for adults; it's another for children and animals, who don't understand why or what is happening.
The "convince them it was their idea" part is of course the key to success.
'The Font' is of the opinion that praise, ladeled on, is the way to a Frenchmans heart.
This is the first female PON we've had and she is sure different to generations of male PONs that we've become used to. Of course if you're a diva then everyone you meet must be an adoring fan. Ponette philosophy.
There can be no doubting that Sophie is a tough as they come. Her big brother is always on the look out for a tickle.
It was felt that Angus's ' this is what you'll do ' attitude might not go down well with French professionals. 'The Font' feels that the grizzly bear approach is perhaps not the best when dealing with latins.
We worry but Bob is gloriously indifferent to it all.
The loss of ability to open or close eyelids in humans is a major sign of Bell's Palsy, along with paralysis of the facial muscles on the same side which causes drooping of the mouth, loss of the ability to smile and drooling. Maybe that's Bob's problem after all, or part of it.
In humans it can clear up by itself, often with medication, but not always completely, leaving a residual loss of function on that side and a tell-tale half winking appearance.
The important thing for humans, and for dogs I imagine, is that if the eyelids don't close by themselves, artificial tears have to be put in regularly to keep the cornea lubricated, otherwise dry eye and infections can follow which can be painful and in worst case scenario cause damage to the cornea and loss of sight. Lubrication of the cornea is normally brought about by blinking so if you can't blink the eye gets dry, hence the need for the drops.
I do hope Mme Font is successful; the fewer visits and the least sedation the better. We love Bob and are very worried for him.
Your 'grizzly bear' is referred to in this household as Stuarts 'lawyer mode'.
That would be a no to the prune exclairs. We hope Bob can get both things done together, it makes sense. Is there a vet school anywhere near you? They often have excellent specialists who see difficult cases. All of our tricky cases in NZ go to ours.
I think your vets are wonderful too! But discuss your testing / scheduling concerns with your veterinary assistant or scheduling person. Do not for a moment discount the power these people have to make things happen. I cannot tell you the number of times these amazing people have helped consolidate testing, gotten us into see specialists booked months out and acted as advocates for us with uncooperative doctors. Their help with my late mum and my cats has been invaluable.
Best of luck to Bob. Good to see Sophie doing so well.
I have great confidence in The Font's management abilities. Hope it's an easy visit for Bob.
Prune eclairs??
Sophie is a little star. May Bob soon follow with an excellent turn-around.
The prune eclairs are a startling color, leaving little chance of misidentifying them.
It is so difficult when a pet has a malady and we humans fret perpetually. Here's hoping all gets sorted for Bob and its all good.
We shall pass on the prune eclairs, hoping you did too!
We which the Font luck convincing the Vets.
Poor Bob. It does sound more and more like the canine equivalent of Bell's palsy. Humans tape their eye closed when it's time to sleep.
Betting on the font!!!
Fingers crossed and prayers said.
We love Bob.
I agree!! As much as I love you both. The font's approach of coming through the side or back door with lots of praise, might be the way they are use too, and succeed in the long run. I still fear Mr Bob misses his planets on the dishwasher! ;)
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