PuddleMonkey

Bear had an appointment this morning with the vet. He needs more Chlomicalm as well as heartworm meds for this season. I had hoped for another positive visit with the vet, obviously because the more comfortable Bear is with the vet, the easier everyone’s job becomes. Though he was very nervous (as usual) in the truck, Bear made it to the vet’s office and back without throwing up, which is especially nice considering it’s only a five-minute drive. But I was very upset with how he was treated today. Unfortunately, Bear did not see his regular vet, in which case I’d probably be writing a different story. Instead, he was dragged to the back, muzzled and poked with a needle and then promptly returned to me.

Yeah, it sucks that Bear is an antisocial, scared dog who responds to his fear by behaving aggressively, but that’s precisely why he needs the folks at the vet’s office to treat him with a little more compassion and patience. And the worse his visits to the vet, the more likely he is to associate the truck with bad experiences, which makes it harder and harder for us to travel with him.

All I wanted were two nice, sweet-natured little mutts. Instead I got these two characters, both of whom have some rather disturbing aggressive behaviors. I’m incredibly grateful to have them, however, because they have taught me a lot, in particular to be much, much more patient, a virtue I most definitely lack.

I suppose I’m probably making too much of today’s events. Bear and I were in and out of the vet’s office in less than ten minutes, and hopefully Bear will quickly forget about it. That’s also precisely what I should do.