Like a walk through the country side living on a small farm is full of daily surprises, sometimes wonderful and amazing, and other times puzzling and sad. I hope you will walk with me as I live out my dream of living on this tiny farm. You will come to know the dogs, cats, Shetland sheep and chickens that make up this farm and what goes into keeping them happy and healthy. Come and join the journey with me.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Time For Shots!

(This post actually should have been before the kitty shots drama!)

What? We get to go for a ride??

A few weeks back it was time to haul the dogs in to get their shots. For quite a few years I've been only having them vaccinated for everything every three years (when their rabies is due).

Coincidentally both dogs were due within the same month. Since I've only had Ashley a little over a year, it was nice to have this work out. On one hand this is great because it means one trip to the vet. On the other hand, it's not so great because it falls right around the holidays and means more money to spend when there isn't a lot of extra to spend.

Since I (finally) figured out that Boone would happily load in the truck as long as he got to ride in the back 'jumpseat' area of the truck, it's been much easier to haul him to the vet. He can easily step up into the truck. If he gets wedged, I just open the other door for him to step out! He can turn around, but it is quite an ordeal--even with the one seat pushed all the way up. Putting two rather large dogs into the cab of a small pickup truck makes for a full load.

Ashley takes up the front seat...

Boone sits in the middle behind the seats. Ashley gets boosted up into the passenger front seat. Boone is afraid he will miss something, so he pretty much sits the whole time looking very sad or panting loudly. The day I took them in was pretty cold, but I had to turn off the heat, because both dogs got 'too hot'. Jeez.

At the vet's we lucked out and were the only ones there. The dogs went in happily enough and were pretty cheerful through the entire thing. While one tech petted them, the other stuck them. They never even flinched. One thing I definitely wanted to do was weigh them while we were there. One of the tech's tried to pull Boone up on on the scale. I knew that wasn't going to work, so I asked her to let me in front and then told Boone to get up on the scale. He was very cooperative once he understood what I needed. I never try to pull or push him anywhere. Because you just can't, and that is that.

Boone sticks his head between the seats, so he won't miss anything.


Boone weighed in at a whopping 130 pounds, although only up 3 pounds from his last visit three years ago. I was happy to see that he is maintaining a moderate weight gain. (Anymore than that would just cause even more stress on his already stressed joints). Then it was Ashley's turn on the scale. Oh my. The little porker came in at 60 lbs which is not good for her size and frame. That is about the same as Jody my first sable collie weighed and she was taller and bigger boned. Dieting was in her future for sure. (note I said was...I'll let you know more about that later!)

The dogs were excellent little patients and a stop at Mickey-D's for some french fries was in order (diet could start the next day!). Happily no one had any reactions to the shots and it's over now for a good while.


Can we go home now?

9 comments:

Michelle said...

A rough collie's coat can hide a multitude of sins - er, I mean POUNDS! ha!

Nancy K. said...

Ashley is SO beautiful! I had to laugh at your comment on putting her on a diet but stopping at Mac's for french fries! ;-)

It's g good thing that Boone doesn't have to go on a diet!

What good puppies...

Louise said...

Boone is just the coolest dog. His personality shines, even in still pictures. Good luck with that diet for Ashley. I think that going on a diet yourself is easier than putting one of your animals on one. They just look at you, all pathetic and starved, and you cave right in.

Rae said...

Love the furry kiddos, and Boone is such a beautiful big boy! I'm jealous of the empty vet office. My Henry gets so excited when he sees other dogs, he squeals like someone is murdering him. I liken it to a kid throwing a tantrum in the middle of a crowded restaurant. We never seem to get an empty vet office!

TxFarmhouse said...

Boone is such a hoot! Does he EVER look like he's smiling?!

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

Was it expensive?
I get the vaccinations but I'm always more interested in getting fecals done in case they have worms. My 2 terriers had put on a couple of lbs too.

Vicki Lane said...

Maybe next time you could take the dogs and the cats all at once . . . and have someone filming the entire trip.

Verde Farm said...

One of my other blog buddies just did this shot trip too. They are so funny. Bless the french fries :) LOL

Mary Ann said...

I just found your blog... it's great! I so enjoyed the cat and dog stories, and the pictures are wonderful, too!