Going to the vet

Chester's Tales ... veterinarian visit report. I was wrong about his weight. Thought he'd be more than 70 pounds because he looks so filled out through his middle. He still has too much bone showing (shoulder blades and hips), but you can't see ribs anymore. Chester is officially 68 pounds (up from 50-55 when we got him). Doc says you can tell his hair coat is growing in more healthy and shiny because you can see some of the old hair on his sides.

I LOVE this vet. Edmund Sullivan, DVM of Bellingham Veterinary. He's been Casey's vet from day one and she likes him too, but I am even more impressed than I was before. This was Chester's first time at the clinic. He doesn't like strangers anywhere but being in a vet clinic with all the smells, etc. could have been traumatic. First of all when I scheduled the appointment I asked for a slow time of day to lessen the possibility of lots of other dogs. I told them that I understood they didn't have control of when other animals would show up, but they obliged by giving us a time slot when it's usually more quiet ... it was very quiet.

Doc said this type of rescue dog, one so fearful and unsocialized with people, is a full time job and commended us for adopting him. 

The vet came into the individual exam room with us and he sat on the floor (as he always does). Chester was under a small chair (amazing how such a long-bodied dog can squish himself into small spaces). I sat on the floor next to Chester. The vet sat across from us. We talked for 30-40 minutes because he wanted to know Chester's background (as much as we could tell him) and he wanted to observe Chester while we spoke. I told him I needed something for Chester's ears, they're not infected but he's starting to shake his head more than usual. He gave us the usual bottle of white cream stuff to put in his ears every day for 10 days and then once a week after that. We use the same stuff for Casey.

Then Dr. Sullivan did something I never expected. He said that he wasn't going to touch Chester today. Actually he did end up petting him to feel his hair coat as we were walking out of the exam room. He wants Glenn and I to take turns bringing the dogs to the vet office a few times a month (or weekly if we have time). He said bring Chester by himself and other times to bring him with Casey so they have a routine of getting on the scale, walking through the exam rooms and out the back hallway. The dog scale is literally just inside the front door of the clinic. Then when Chester is more comfy with the place we can walk him into the actual treatment area. Then when Chester is familiar with being there, we'll schedule a real exam for him.

The vet wants to make sure we're socializing Chester. He said that it's a bad thing to have Chester too tied to just me. I explained that Glenn is also a caregiver and since last week Chester prefers to spend his evenings and overnight in the basement with Glenn and Casey. Chester and Casey are beginning to bond more like siblings so it's a good thing he enjoys being down there with her. I also explained that we have 3 little girls who come pet Chester every week. He thought that was a great idea to get him accustomed to children too.

Doc said Chester looks very healthy ... can tell that he still needs to gain some weight but he sat watching Chester the whole time we visited. He noticed that Chester recognized his name when I referred to him by name. The vet said he can tell who Chester's primary caregiver is because of the way he watches me, especially when I'm speaking. (His loving eyes are a total giveaway, they're so full of happiness and trust). He asked about Chester's eating habits (and approves of the way we're feeding him. The dog food we buy is the same he buys for his dog. Like I said ... I love this vet and his methods of dealing with dogs is amazing.

So, you might be asking ... what was the charge for all this one-on-one time with the actual vet (not an assistant)? $24 including the medicine for his ears.

Oh, and when we told him about the process for adopting through Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon, he was very impressed. Thanks GBR for being there with just the right dog for us. We love him so much and he's a huge part of our family and our lives.