Thursday, April 9, 2015

Torture Your Dog Day - I mean - Annual Check Up Day

Yesterday was one of my least favourite days of the year. Time for Hailey's annual check up.

Step 1: Getting out of the house, while Man was at work, with one dog. I did this by tricking Phod with a special treat as I shoved Hailey into the garage. As she was happily getting in the car, he was barking and carrying on inside.

Step 2: Drive 1 hour to the vet. Yes there are vets closer, but none are my good friend Woody. As long as he is working and I can drive to him, he will be my vet. Hailey's anxiety grew as the drive went on and the last half hour she was upset.

Step 3: Pull into the parking lot. This is where the true anxiety started. This video would be her being "calm".



Step 4: Sniff around outside and pee. This was the easiest part until a little German Shepherd puppy came out and she had to bark. The puppy was so cute with the floppy ears . . . .

Step 5: Go in - she ran in and then tried to run right out!

Step 6: Get her weight. She was amazing at this and sat well (even though she was shaking) on the scale (getting her on at all use to be a huge problem). She put about 2 or 3 lbs on over the winter, but Woody said she looks great and every dog and owner who had been through the clinic in the past few months was in the same boat. The brutal winter made regular exercise impossible.

Step 7: Wait our turn in the waiting room. This includes, barking, screaming, jumping on the bench and ripping it a little (shhhh, it wasn't us), getting stuck on the bench and freaking out when you jump down and slide, trying to run away.

Step 8: Wait in the examination room. This was a little better because I could let her off leash. She did want to leave as this video shows.



Step 9: Enter the vet. After hugs and a catch up on his kids and wife (we have been friends for 21 years and we don't see each other often enough), time for the exam. Woody sat on the floor and Hailey was frozen during the exam. She took her shots like a champ. Once they were done she was ready to leave.

Because Woody and I were talking about what they were up to and what we were up to, he didn't actually say anything really about her health. I assume all is good, he would have told me if it wasn't! I did say I found Hailey's freaking out a little embarrassing and he assured me it was fine, he had seen way worse! (I was spoiled by angel Loki who had every reason to hate the vet, but loved him).

I said I was done! 


Step 10: Wait in the waiting room for our bill, Revolution and Phod's car sickness pills. While waiting a woman I use to work with came in with her dog. Had a nice catch up with her and assured her it was a great clinic (she was trying it out for the first time as she wasn't happy with her current vet).  Finally pay.

Step 11: In the car and drive home. Hailey was very, very, very quiet on the way home.

Step 12: Tell Phod and the Man (who got home from work only a few minutes before we came back) how terrible a person I am for taking her to the vet.

Step 13: Ignore the Lady for the rest of the night.



Thank goodness, we only do this once a year! Well, I guess twice as we take Zaphod in August!

24 comments:

  1. Hmmm, poor Hailey. I'm not much for the vet either but I stay pretty calm...unless I am not feeling well. Then, I sit on mom's lap and shake a bit.
    Oz

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  2. Aww, Hailey, I'm sorry you get so anxious. Momma was always surprised at how well Cinderella did at the vet, considering she had to go for some really painful treatments and surgeries. I loves my vet because she gives me cookies!!

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  3. Aww, Hailey, I'm sorry you get so anxious. Momma was always surprised at how well Cinderella did at the vet, considering she had to go for some really painful treatments and surgeries. I loves my vet because she gives me cookies!!

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  4. Love the ignoring you when she gets home - such terrible treatment by the human she trusts :) :) :)

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  5. We I finks both Hailey and Mom did very, very well...lots of treats earned by both of yous!
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  6. Yes we agree, thank God it is just once a year. Have a tremendous Thursday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  7. They like touching everything they shouldn't
    Snorts
    Lily & Edward

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  8. Thank goodness that torture is over...bravo for #13...the most important step! She must know you were not happy.
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  9. Hailey we finks yu were such a big brave girl and that your momma should give you lots of real food ...peoples food for the rest of the week!!!!!
    stella rose

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  10. Aw, we were even feeling sorry for her! Be brave Hailey!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  11. Well, at least it's over with, and her health is good! I dread the vet visits too...not one of the dogs does well there, and some are worse than others. I have to take Cricket back to the car while I pay so she won't bark at other dogs coming in!

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  12. Hari OM
    ...I think that this has been quite a successful trip all round! Okay, so the cold tail for an evening. Maybe two. But the next walk and treat run will shorten the memory!!! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  13. HAILEY we do the same thingys... Pee when we get outta Jessie Jeep... and then go IN and say HI... WERE were HERE and now we are ready to LEAVE... BUTT it never works any better fur us.
    You did a GOOOOOOOD job of suffering the Terrible Torture, Hailey. We are QUITE proud of you!!
    ESP. the IGNORING of the Mom thingy... THAT gets them EVERY Time...

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  14. So traumatic. We usually get to stop by the sportsground for a huge RUN after we've been to the dreaded Vets'. Actually, we hide under chairs and shiver, so we're no problem....BOL!

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  15. HAHAHA....well, this sounds typical in some ways....she may be a bit miffed but it won't last beyond dinner time!

    Pam

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  16. Awe, poor Hailey and poor you! I so feel for you! Neither of my girls are that thrilled with going to the vet and I used to work there and they know everyone and they still hate it. Zoe is fine until the attention is turned to her but Phoenix is very scared the whole time.

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  17. My torture day was last Monday. Let's just say I made the vet pay. :) ~Zoey

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  18. Well....gotta say she acts and whines just like our Shadow....she just don't like it but she doesn't shake...it's just GET IT OVER WITH and lets go home!

    The Mad Scots

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  19. OMD, Hailey, I hear ya gurl!!! I gots a love-hate relationship with the vettie! I pull to gets in and bark at everyone, butts it's such a small office (a converted small house), that I gets a little freaked if there are other doggies in there (I likes my space! ☺) So Ma has to do the doggie-shuffle if there are other doggies in the waiting room, I have to wait in the truck. (I still bark at em' BTW!)
    Anyhu, I thinks you did FABulously Hailey, and I thinks you deserve and IScream for all your trauma!!! BOL
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  20. We've had this exact same thing kind of experience more times than I can count -- Only the names were different! :-)

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  21. Aw poor sweet baby. Those darn vet visits!!!
    Oh, and if you come by the blog today, I am passing an award on to you :)
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  22. Dear Ojo's Cousin Lee,

    OH NO! The terrible horrible no good very bad place called Vet! This is awful!

    And I totally understand. A few years ago my anal gland exploded, and it hurt very much. Now whenever I go into Vet they always clear my anal glands (which don't clear very well on their own), and it HURTS!

    I HATE the vet!!! I shake too. My fur comes out in clumps. I pant and yawn, just like you do. Sometimes I whine.

    I try to escape, or hide behind my person, but somehow they always get me. Even the chicken and cheese and hot dogs and liver treats do not make this place bearable.

    So I think your behaviour was completely understandable and perfectly reasonable.

    Ojo does not understand. She likes going into Vet because she gets treats and pets, and because she gets to go in without me and be the Only Dog Getting Attention. She just doesn't understand. But I do!

    I am glad you survived this horrible thing!

    Many licks,
    Cobi

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  23. Walter just had his yearly torture visit but Millie needed her heartworm test so we went together. We were both a little crazy.

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