Needless Worry for the Needle

[gf's log] Today is an eventful day for Bosco, he is 11 weeks old and received his second vaccination. I was quite nervous for Bosco the whole morning, not sure if he fed off this energy because he was particularly more nippy than usual for a morning. I tried to tire him out with a walk and playing "catch" (I say this half-heartedly because he's still more keen on keeping his slipper to himself rather than bringing it back after I throw it) so he wouldn't nippy and hyper at the vet.

Upon arrival at the vet's, he was quite happy to get out of the car and sniff the post-rain ground to the vet's door. Being his usual Bosco self he wagged his little bum at everyone and every dog in the office, almost lunging over the counter to greet the people behind the reception area. He hasn't quite picked up that not everyone or every dog wants to necessarily play or be near him when he sees them.

Case in point: Treinte, a 14-month old recently neutered dalmatian was quite annoyed with Bosco's eagerness to sniff around his absent balls. His owner, a very nice older gentleman tells me he's been ball-less for about a week and is not dealing well, he's been scratching the area around his stitches to the point of bleeding and biting just about everything and everyone. "Poor thing" I think as I pet the top part of his head--the only part of his head not covered by a muzzle or the cone :( ... I wonder if Bosco will have the same issues later if and when we neuter him? As I think this I look over at Bosco who is trying to worm his way out of my bf's mom's arms so he can a piece of action with Treinte.

We get called in and Bosco is put on the stainless steel table, licking away at it, not knowing the terror that is about to take place. He plays around with the vet and her assistant and almost falls the table before she buckles him down for a quick physical check up. He looks healthy and happy she says and begins feeding him tons of treats, Bosco's tail wags away, she pulls out the needle from behind, tail still wagging...licking, eating, sniffing...and in it went at the back of his neck. His tail stops wagging for two steamboats and begins again once it's all over.

*Sigh of relief* Thanks goodness he takes after the bf and is easily distracted by food. Vet trauma averted, he leaves still quite happy and ready to play some more with the other vet assistants and dogs waiting in the clinic.