I went into an appointment today to examine a large chihuahua. Her chart had a big caution sign on it: BITES. Her owner was holding her with an apologetic look on her face and tone in her voice. I took her from her arms and sat down with her in my lap. She was very nervous but pushed herself firmly against me as I gently scratched her back. I moved my hand up her back toward her head until I was massaging her ears. She stopped trembling. As her owner watched, her canine friend looked up at me and licked my face. I had won her over. I spent another five minutes talking softly to her and rubbing her ears. Then I checked them and cleaned them. She was putty in my hands. Her owner was amazed that she was being so good, but I recognized her from the start As a fear biter and began my examination by trying to dispel her fear. I was able to finish treating her and vaccinate her without struggle. I made two friends. The dog and her caretaker. My next patient was a thirty pound terrier brought in by the SPCA that was wild. We tried to corner her to check a lameness problem and vaccinate her but she wanted nothing to do with it. My soft touch wasnt impressing her. I crowded her up against a wall and slipped a leash around her neck. She had me. I grasped the collar firmly over her neck, she rolled over three times like an alligator on a death roll and as she twisted out of my grip she bit the back of my hand to the bone and extended her bite two inches down the back of my hand. Now, seven hours later its throbbing stiffening up and stinging. I went to the chemical restraint at that point. Im getting old and slowing down, but I felt sorry that she was so afraid, even terrified. And so another day ends. Some triumphs and some defeats but each carries a lesson and a reminder. Tomorrow we will see what the tide brings in.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 06:52:16 +0000
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