Wednesday

We took Toby for his final vaccinations and neutering this morning. He hadn't eaten anything since last night, so he was pretty hungry this morning, but he was not allowed to eat because of his surgery. We took our last walk this morning before heading to the vets. We followed this procession of ibises down Watrous. Toby stopped in his tracks and didn't want to follow them. He had to be coaxed with John explaining to him: You are the predator; they are the prey.

 

We got checked in at the vet that our adoption agency uses. The adoption fee includes the surgery and vaccinations, so we didn't use our own vet, but this will be the last time we will be at this vet. We like our vet. He was so good with Dee Dee.

Toby dug his heels in and started back pedalling when we were directed from the lobby and down the hall to one of the rooms. We had to pick him up and carry him into the room. Of course, he peed on both of us and the floor in the process. He does not like to be picked up or touched against his will.

He ended up settling under the chair I was sitting in. We've NEVER had a pet who would settle down at the vet. EVER. Dee Dee would get in our lap. Dexter would look for treats and prepare to greet the people who walk in.

It was tough leaving him. I know he was terrified. We couldn't explain to him that we would see him again in a few hours. For him, it was the end of our relationship, as dogs only know how to live in the present. He was getting ready for his fifth new home in the last four months, as far as he knew.

 

After we dropped him off, we headed to the causeway for a much-needed walk. The temperature was 75 degrees; the skies were mostly cloudy.

We ordered new dog beds for the car crate and the indoor crate. Both are a perfect fit.

 

We moved our matress back out to the lanai, so Toby can convalesce without having to jump up and down.  We ruefully reflected that we had the bed in the exact same position just a month and a half ago for Dee Dee in her final days. We start out and end up convalescing, I suppose.

 

We spent the day waiting for the vet to call for us to come pick up Toby. Finally, at 4:30, they said he was ready to be picked up. We checked in and waited in the waiting room. The tech brought him out. He was groggy and so sad looking. He didn't see us sitting off to the side and started to walk right past us. That was one of the saddest moments that I hope to never see again. He looked so sad and hopeless. I remembered that he had been in at least two shelters and four homes in the last four months. He was only with us for one week. I don't think he was expecting to see us ever again. John called his name and Toby turned and started wagging his tail and nuzzling us. Then he began to tinkle like a loose howitzer, all over our feet, the floor, and the vet tech. The lobby had about five people in it. They all just froze, mouths agape, as Toby created a little pee pee lake and started dancing around in it. 

John was dismissed to the car with Toby, while I collected paper work, rabies tag, pills, and instructions.

Toby cried all the way home and continued to cry most of the evening. We were instructed to give him food first and then pain medicine and antibiotic medicine. We couldn't get him to eat. We tried Dee Dee's fancy food. He wouldn't eat it at first, but finally he relaxed enough to eat some. Then we tried to give him his medicine. We thought we were pretty experienced at it, but he was resistant to our tricks. Finally, I got the idea to shove the peanut butter encrusted pill into his mouth and hold his snout until he swallowed the pill. I had seen his foster do this with the flea and tick medicine, the night she dropped him off. That worked. He stopped crying for a bit and napped a little bit. But he's back to crying again.

Poor guy. He must feel terrible. 

When we take him out to pee, he quickly turns and heads back in the house. We thought maybe he was afraid he was being taken to the vet or away, so we took him out the back door. Same reaction. He bulldozed his way back to the door.

It might be a fitful night for us all.

 

 

Miles walked: 9.3

Miles biked: 0