Wednesday, August 11, 2021

FRANKLIN & PENELOPE HAD A BIG TUESDAY

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

We made the annual visit to the vet on Tuesday, which Franklin and Penelope despised. The vet examined them, cut their nails (he's a much better manicurist than I am), supplied us with a year's worth of flea/tick/heartworm preventive, gave the necessary shots, and drew blood. The blood work costs extra, but I'm glad to pay for it because it enabled the vet to catch the early stages of kidney disease in Franklin. Franklin has eaten prescription food for a couple of years now and the kidney problem is gone. The vet is also monitoring a possible thyroid problem with Franklin.

A visit to the vet is never easy, though. Franklin and Penelope walked across the parking lot with me, but when we actually got to the door, they turned to try to go the other way. More than 100 lbs. of dog can be difficult to deter.  

After the struggle to get inside, we headed for the desk, where Penelope walked around me in a circle, thus hobbling me with her leash. If Mom can't walk, then we might as well leave, yes? NO.

With help from one of the kind assistants, we made it to the back for the weigh-in. Franklin is 72 lbs. and Penelope is 40. Then it was off to the exam room. Franklin was the first to go to the back to have his blood drawn. When the vet returned him to the room, he didn't want to go through the door. As soon as I said, Mom is here, Franklin, he entered the room and threw himself at my feet.

The three of us were happy to leave, although exhausted for the rest of the day. When Franklin and Penelope went out later in the day, Franklin had great difficulty getting up the few steps to the deck. His age-related struggles weigh heavily on my mind.

That night, Penelope woke me by departing the bed in the wee small hours of the morning (Penelope is a Sinatra fan; I am not). Had it thundered, thus frightening her into the safety of my closet? No.

Come back to bed, Penelope. She returned briefly, only to hop down to emit a small, but insistent, bark. We decamped for the backyard, where Franklin, in a ballet of peeing, lifted one back leg slightly, foot straight, toes extended, and then flopped in a pile of dead leaves to watch Penelope with his usual bemused expression. She trotted from one leaf to the next blade of grass, nose to the ground, certain something unpleasant had been in her yard.

After an exhaustive search that turn up nothing, she relieved herself with an eloquent sigh. Could we return to the comfort of the bed? No. She had to inspect the flowerpots yet again, in case access to the secret passage to France had magically opened up. Not finding her heart's desire, finally she allowed us to go inside the house.

Penelope beat me back to bed, where I thought sleep awaited. Two minutes later, I rolled over and knocked one of her toys out of the bed. Unacceptable! She left the bed again to woof about the many ways life treats her unfairly.

Sleep had ended. A new day had begun.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

The red jacket was Penelope's first item of clothing.
She liked it, although it was not French.

Franklin recovering in my bathroom after a potty break
during a hurricane--the one occasion he was angry with me.

Franklin enjoying a Kissmas tree while he waits for Santa Paws.




34 comments:

  1. Sigh. I spend the trip to the vet apologising to Jazz, and the trip home apologising some more. And because he has thyroid issues (and pancreatitis) we have to go quite often.

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  2. I have never shared my bed with one dog, let alone two, and having read this account, that seems to be a good thing! It is an irony of my life, perhaps, that having spent its entirety involved with wild creatures, I have not had the slightest urge to have pets in my home.

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    1. I share only with Penelope. I've invited Franklin many times, but he disdains the bed.

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  3. Our pets don't mind the vet's visits so much, though none of them save the dog, like the trip in the car to the office.
    I cannot imagine struggling with 100 pounds of dog trying NOT to go inside!
    xoxo

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    1. Franklin and Penelope don't mind the car trip, although they know what will happen when we arrive. I've never known a cat who thought a car ride was a good thing.

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  4. Thank goodness that trip is over with. No doubt they are happy to me home with Mom again. Hope they both stay well, too. :) :)

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    1. I got the call today: Franklin needs regular medication for his thyroid issues. I also take thyroid meds.

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  5. Those comics are fuuuny!!!!! I lucked out with Buster and the vet. First he loves the car, which to some dogs is a dead give away a vet trip is minutes away. But once there, he is a excellent dog. You can do anything to that dog and he doesn't care. My mother dog, Lilith is even better. We both lucked out.

    Now I hope you get some sleep and stay safe Janie. Another blogger I read says a lot of rain and wind coming there this weekend.....

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    1. Franklin and Penelope had difficult childhoods and remain skittish. I guess we're getting a tropical storm. Oh, goody.

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  6. I think it's tiring for dogs to go through a stressful experience like the vet! Olga doesn't seem to mind the vet, weirdly -- in fact she tries to TAKE me there sometimes. (They give her treats, that's why.) I didn't realize Franklin is so big!

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    1. Franklin and Penelope get treats but still don't want to go. It's hard to tell how large Franklin is because he seems to be made of fluffy fur.

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  7. Going to the vet is an endurance contest isn't it? Good on you for the annuals and the blood samples. You're a great mom.

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    1. Thank you. I'd rather know that a medical condition is a possibility than find out it already exists.

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    2. I sure agree with that one.

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  8. I've never tried to take my two to the vet at the same time. Also over 100 lbs of dogs. Glad you got in and out without any issues and it looks like both dogs are doing well.

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    1. It turns out Franklin does need thyroid medication, but I take thyroid meds, too.

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  9. This entire post made me smile and laugh and smile and laugh from start to finish!

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    1. Franklin and Penelope did not laugh or smile once.

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  10. Great images that made me smile, busy days pass by faster, well they do for me

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    1. I don't think we ever have a day that's not busy.

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  11. No more vet trips for me, and I'm a happy ex-cat mother.
    Poor, dear Franklin. I thought of him at once as I scrolled down the tight rope Rex cartoon.

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    1. For me, getting old is fine. Watching Franklin get old breaks my heart.

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  12. Hi Janie - glad all went well eventually ... and yes long nighttime visits to the garden to peruse whatever was there - is frustrating to say the least. That's pet love - I'd say. Cheers Hilary

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  13. We still can't go into our vet's so the vet comes to the door to get George. He had his jabs and check-up last week. He passed with slightly drooping colours.
    It would be fascinating - but perhaps over-powering to get a scent of the smells they detect in the garden

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    1. I have a sensitive nose. I'm sure I'd be overpowered if I could detect what Penelope smells.

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  14. How old is Franklin now?
    Have a great weekend with plenty of good movies, books and food goodies for you and treats for the dogs;)

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    1. Franklin has been with me 11 years. At his first visit post-adoption, the vet estimated he was 18 months old. Franklin and Penelope have been the healthiest adopted children I've had.

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  15. Oh those pesky, temperamental owners of yours.

    Love ya.

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    1. I love them so much that nothing they do bothers me.

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  16. Poor Penelope and Franklin! But especially poor you! This post brings back memories of MacBeath and me and many trips to the vet. I enjoyed the photos and funnies!

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    1. So glad you enjoyed it, Louise. Sadly, poor Franklin has to return to the vet this week for a thyroid check. We need to know that his new meds are working. He will not like it.

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