Simba in his relaxed and comfortable spot right where Mama and Daddy’s pillows are.
I took my dog Simba to the vet today. It was a good appointment! Here at Casa Brillig that hasn’t been a thing we say recently. Let me explain why…
Simba is a Very Good Boy, but he is also very stubborn, very independent, and about a year ago became very, very nervous at the vet. Those of you with smol dogs may not have to deal with this in quite the same way, but a 100lb Great Pyrenees/Pittie mix who does NOT want the vet to examine him simply will not be examined. Imagine a dog of that stature trying to become the size of a Yorkshire Terrier so he can hide behind Mama when anyone tried to listen to his heart, and you’ve got Simba.
Obviously we don’t want to traumatize him, and while he’s never, EVER shown aggressive behavior with people, if he felt cornered he could hurt himself, others, or both. So after two failed visits last spring, we tried pre-medicating him with anti-anxiety meds prior to arrival. That helped, but not a lot.
This past summer I worked with a behaviorist and got a ton of useful suggestions to help with his confidence and behavior on walks and when people come to the door or … gasp… come inside. They were unable in the time frame we had to help with his vet anxiety, but recommended someone who leads online workshops on this very topic. For four months, I did online modules and we had a zoom meeting every other week with all the other participants and the instructor. It was gratifying to know I am NOT the only owner with a nervous dog, and I heard lots of stories of what worked and didn’t. Which leads me to today’s visit…
I had a long conversation with the vet last month about Simba and how we could help him. We agreed to a different pre-visit medication protocol which wouldn’t sedate him completely but hopefully would make him calmer and sleepy [Narrator: he was not, in fact, sleepy. He was a little chill but nowhere near “sedate”. If we ever need sedate I suspect whatever they use on elephants will be required]. We booked a time where no other dogs would be in the waiting room. And I came prepared with treats, a small rug from home that smells familiar, and ready to help Simba succeed. The vet tech came in and had him eating out of her hand and getting scritches!!!! Then the vet came in, let him sniff and gave him treats, and we watched for signs he was agitated. Only a little!!
We looked at what was needed and decided instead of trying to do a full exam, we’d give the one oral vaccine he needed so this could be a “Happy Visit”. And they only charged me for a ‘tech visit’ so not full price! I’m still not sure we’ll be successful in March when he DOES need a full exam, but this was overall a good visit!!!
It also kept me from the news all day, as Simba needed pre- and post- vet snuggles. Let’s get to the Tops for the past two days!
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From belinda ridgewood:
Happy new year! Today's Abbreviated Pundit Roundup by Greg Dworkin had a couple of outstanding comments. First, kck offered a poem by James Baldwin that is extremely appropriate for the current moment. Then, rugbymom had a really powerful response to the idea that the coming year(s) will be "unbearable".
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Top Mojo for yesterday (Sunday), January 5th 2025, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on FAQing Top Mojo.
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