Phoebe had to go in for her Kennel Cough vaccination this morning, in preparation for boarding. You see, we’re going out of town on business to Flagstaff, Arizona. We’ll be leaving on Sunday morning and coming back next Sunday night. The bummer thing is that the kennel is closed on the Monday we would want to pick her up because it’s Memorial Day. So, we’ll be dropping off our precious baby on Saturday and not be able to pick her up until the Tuesday morning after we get back. That’s 10 days! How depressing.
We went and toured the kennel, which is right next to and associated with the veterinary clinic we take her to, after her vaccination. It makes me so sad to think of her being stuck there for 10 days. It’s just so… sterile. I mean, obviously, it needs to be that way for sanitary reasons, but to think of her alone in that cage (granted, it’s pretty big for her; one size fits all) just really tugs my heartstrings. They take them for walks 4 to 5 times a day for up to 15 minutes and each dog is taken by itself, which eases my concern about larger dogs picking on her, but it seems like the human interaction might be somewhat limited.
I don’t know. It’s just really tough on me. In the nearly 10 years she’s been in existence, Phoebe has never had to be kenneled. We’ve always found someone to take care of her while we were gone. And with such a long time away from us, this time is a difficult way to get adjusted to the idea. Terry is sure that she’ll be fine and I know that she’ll probably adjust. I’m just worried about what bad habits she might pick up and display when she gets home. Hopefully, not too many. So, I’ve been sitting her, swimming in tears and snot for a couple of hours now. I’m such a softie, but she’s my baby girl, she’s the only one I have and I love her like she was my own flesh and blood. People don’t have to board their kids when they want to go away. It’s just so hard.
I’m trying to get everything of hers ready and packed up as much as possible today so that I have one less thing to worry about as the weekend draws closer. The only thing I can’t pack up is her medication. I’m also trying to get her groomed a bit so people don’t think we’re neglecting her or anything. I just got done clipping her nails, which is her least favorite activity. There was a lot of fussing and piddling on the carpet (her latest defense mechanism; lovely), but between me and Terry (Terry and I?), we were able to get all of her nails clipped successfully. And Phoebe was richly rewarded for her trouble. Next up will be to buzz the fur between her pads with a mini electric clipper and to shave a channel along her behind so she doesn’t run the risk of getting too messy if she has any bowel movement trouble. Then, she get a thorough brushing to try to help her shed and just generally smooth out her fur. Finally, she’ll get a bath and probably another brushing session once she’s dry. I’m going to try to space it out over the next few days so that she doesn’t think it’s such torture.
Now, some of you might be saying, “Hey, wait a minute. Back up to that medication thing. What’s that all about?” I know, I haven’t given an update on Phoebe in a while. Her heart murmur has gotten worse, to the point where it’s a 5 or 6 on a 6 point scale of severity. It has also caused her heart to enlarge. It presses against her trachea, causing her to cough several times a day, and it also requires medication to reduce any fluid build-up and to help control the progress of the heart disease. It sounds sad, I know, and it does get me down every once in a while, but she seems to be fine. She just drinks more water, sometimes has to go out in the middle of the night and can’t tolerate as much exercise without starting to wheeze a bit. Otherwise, she’s her old, sweet self. Of course, I worry about her a lot more now and am more paranoid than usual, but the doctor said that most dogs with this kind of condition die from old age before the heart disease progresses to a point where it would be fatal. Good news, but then it has me contemplating her mortality and wondering how much longer we have with her. I had always bargained on 17 to 18 years with her, but now I find myself hoping that we make it to 15. And then wondering what I’ll do without her when she’s gone.
So, you see, I’m feeling rather morose and sorry for myself today, despite the fact that it’s a gorgeous day outside. What a bummer to be inside working from home and feeling blue. Boo hoo!
I sympathize about your pet. I love my dog also, even though he is a bit of a pain sometimes, and I can’t imagine not having him with me. I too work at home, and it is 70 degrees out, but I am working also. Have to make money to pay the bills! Your concern about boarding your dog for 10 days is warranted, but once you get back I’m sure everything will be fine. Are you able to check in with the kennel on a daily basis? That should help some. And you could always include something that smells like you (like a blanket or T-shirt) in with your dog’s stuff.
I guess you don’t have those open-type places around you. My sister always leaves her dog at the ranch or the spa or whatever those places are where the dogs are free-range. Her rescue doesn’t seem to hate her for it. (She travels a lot for biz.)
It’s Terry and me. You would say between us not between we. us=me, we=I. (I you he she it we you they; me you him her it us you them.) The nine-fingered pedant strikes again. 🙂 HAVE FUN!
DH and I had to board our first dog a few times so I sympathize with your feelings, Jenna. With Phoebe’s condition, I think boarding her with the vet makes a lot of sense and the separation will soon be forgotten once you’re back home. I like Danielle’s suggestion of including a personal item with her things!
Relax and have a great time soaking up the Arizona sun!!
We had to board Max every now and then (especially once I realised my neighbour wasn’t really taking proper care of him), i know he didn’t enjoy it very much, he usually barked himself horse[is that the right spelling, I have no idea??]. We made sure he got lots of loving when we got back. Give Phoebe a hug from me. (hug)
She’ll be fine. I am sure of it. 🙂 And to be away for as long as you are going to be, she’s in the best place to be- right next to the hospital, in a sense.
(HUGS) I understand your worry. But I learned from Chris E. that I can’t think every minute of when they are going to be gone, just to love them to pieces while I have them. Otherwise I wouldn’t enjoy Pidy, who is still with me. My son put it perfectly, “Love’em while you got’em!”
So go on and enjoy your trip!
Big hugs! I am having to board Romeo for the first time ever when we go on our trip to Virginia at the end of this month. With his diabetes, and needing shots twice a day, I just couldn’t see getting someone to watch him. I feel terrible about it, and I hope that he is ok. After Hamlet dying and now with Romeo’s diabetes and now Othello’s arthritis, it definitely has me thinking about their mortality as well. I can empathize with what you’re going through. These are our family, so it can be rather difficult.