My Carmel had to make a visit to the vet today. It all started last Friday evening. It has been raining here constantly for several days (so we haven’t had the sweltering temperatures many others are dealing with), and Carmel kept getting wet, so she had the wet dog smell going on. So Friday evening we had a few people over hanging out swimming in the pool, and we decided it would be a great time to give her a bath. Carmel has a little kid’s pool we use to give her her baths. So, I had bought this new coconut dog shampoo-so she would smell good. Well, she smelled really great after her bath-and was so so soft. On Saturday morning I had to give her her FrontLine treatment-which is a topical cream that goes on the back of her neck. Well, that day I felt a couple of very dry patches on her and Olivia said they were very very red. We put some antibiotic ointment on them-yes, the kind we use-it worked great. But, Carmel kept scratching herself-and this morning she scratched her back so bad it was bleeding. So, it was time to go to the vet.
It is so cool how things work out though, because I had an appointment with a local puppy raiser (who raises guide puppies for Southeastern Guide Dog School). She had been following on my journey and also discovered we have mutual acquaintances, and we wanted to meet. Anyway, she recommended a great vet for me. Thanks Carolyn. Also, thanks to Dr. Hasi of Bayonet Point Animal Clinic. The vet totally spoiled her and gave her about a million doggy treats. I think she might have stayed with him instead of coming home with me if it had of been up to her-he had the treats and she liked those a lot! I am sure we won’t have any difficulties getting her to go to the vet ever!
Carmel had to get a cortisone shot to stop the itching, will be taking antibiotics, and has a new (expensive) shampoo. As the worst of her wounds is on her back where the harness falls, we have decided it is best to not work her the next few days, until the wounds heal. So, it is back to my pink cane. Carmel will continue to go to work with me though. And, I can use her using the “heeling” method, in which I use her leash to walk around with her. This is perfectly safe in familiar areas, but not in unfamiliar or difficult/tight situations/locations. We practiced this “heeling” at The Seeing Eye. I don’t love it, but it does work in very familiar areas. The dog is not working when you heel them, they are just literally on leash, but you can get some information that way. Carmel still stops at steps, turns on cue, and generally follows commands. However, believe me, she knows she is not really “working”, so I can’t totally trust her then to be my eyes. So, back to the cane for a few days. I need to keep up my cane skills too, for situations just like this. Life happens.
So, I also had the “time to give medicine” challenge. I put it in her food-she is a piggy so I figured this would work. It worked fine-she ate it right up-confirmed by my sighted family.
I tell you, The Seeing Eye thought of every possible scenario you might encounter-and it is just unbelievable that you actually do encounter all of those things once you go home. I told someone today the only thing I haven’t encountered in my 3 weeks at home (yes, it has been 3 weeks) is a traffic check-and there have been a couple of times those were close, but they were not real checks. As much as we walk and cross streets and driveways, I am sure we will encounter that soon.
Now, I know I recently complained about having to go on two walks a day-morning and evening-to keep up carmel’s skills and continue to build mine-but now I have to say, I am now disappointed we have to take a break because I was getting used to those walks. The walks have turned into a nice time to really get the day started and enjoy all of the animal sounds, sunrise, and just the peace of the morning, and then the evening to unwind. Carmel hs gotten so much better with all of the distractions too. And, you know I need the exercise! We will get back to “work” in a few days. Enjoy your time off Carmel girl-and I am sorry I didn’t know you didn’t like coconut. It was so Florida-I need a Pennsylvania/New Jersey shampoo!
Feel better soon my pretty girl-my spoiled girl! Carmel is pushing my hand off of the computer so I can pet her-so I guess that means I had better wrap this blog entry up!
Send good thoughts and prayers Carmel’s way for a quick recovery.
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