Thursday, October 4, 2012

Telling Him Off


Life can be unpredictable. Correct? It can produce experiences that are quite unforeseen by we mere human beings. Whatever the event. In this same sense, it is my experience that canines, also, are unpredictable!! We drove Rose to our veterinarian yesterday. She was due for a vaccination of some sort. I do not recall what!! Our minuscule-sized veterinarian's office is located in an outlet mall, with various businesses ranging from some oriental restaurant, to a hair salon. And Salvation Army. Unbeknownst to us, the second-hand store was hosting their 1/2 off sale. Uh-oh. As resulted, the parking lot was crammed with cars. Bumper to bumper, tire to tire. Great. I said a swift, silent prayer that there would be a space--one space--preserved for us. We had an appointment to keep!! Then, there it was. One vacant parking space!! It was ours for the taking!! Score!! Unfortunately, however, this preserved parking space was also several shops away from our destination. Ugh. So, after I wound Rose's red leash tightly around my right wrist, we were forced to embark on this dangerous trek through a busy parking lot!! All the while pulling poor Rose away from every sniffing opportunity!! Sigh.... Oh well, we managed!! Once inside the veterinarian's waiting room, I found this chair which was positioned next to a large window. I always fret about every canine which enters the clinic. Every ill, injured or stressed canine. Will Rose see them, grow excitable, then bay on the top of her vocal chords? So. We were conveniently positioned in a corner!! Rose was so well-behaved!! A few pitiful whines here, a few pitiful whines there, but I stroked her velvet-soft fur, flying it everywhere, comforting my little girl. No high-pitched baying!! And Rose certainly enjoyed that window!! They were a bit backed-up at the clinic yesterday. So, we waited. Waited. Waited. And waited some more just to hear Rose's name be called!! This was a first. Usually we arrive on time, then somebody calls us in immediately!! Eventually Rose became bored of waiting, window-watching, plus whining at other canines. She lie down and fell asleep!! Twice!! Good girl? Huh. Heedless of our acknowledgment, my "perfect little angel" was holding some "bad dog" behavior within her!! And I mean "bad dog". Because Rose was putting on a little "innocent" act. Her "plan"? Unpredictable!! Nobody could have guessed what Rose had in mind!! Sneaky, sneaky.... After finally hearing Rose's name be called, we followed some lady down their narrow hall, weighed her canine patient on a scale, then entered this vacant room. Which, of course, my hound dog's ebony nostrils inspected!! Every corner, every crevice!! When our busy veterinarian simply passed by the doorway, Rose let out this low, resounding growl. I firmly, yet patiently, scolded her. It meant nothing.... Right? Rose sometimes growls at our neighbor boys through the living room window before remembering that they are friends!! Silly girl!! But there was a negative vibe at the veterinarian's office yesterday. A negative vibe. As we were waiting--patiently!!--for our balding silver-haired senior experienced doctor to step through the door, some poor woman was euthanizing her canine. We could overhear their somber conversations. From across the hall. Then later, I saw her--an emotion-wrought face, empty collar and leash in hand--on our way out. My heart breaks for this poor woman. We have all been there, done that. Okay. Back to my story!! The second our veterinarian walked in, Rose's mighty vocal chords let out this series of loud, ferocious barking!! Followed by aggressive growling. More barking. Further aggressive growling. Weird. Rose's behavior was "out-of-character"!! And mean!! Rose is my little sociable "pacifist"!! She loves everybody, and would not hurt a fly!! Ever!! Nonetheless, if my reflexes were not well-trained, I am afraid that Rose would have bitten our veterinarian!! What a frightening concept. But, I yanked Rose back so fast!! Then I scolded her. Eventually, she settled down. We lifted her up onto this tall, silver examination table. He injected his syringe into Rose's thigh. By then at least she was calm and relaxed!! The doctor asked a few questions. We answered. And, within seconds, his task was complete!! Just like that. So, Rose's temporary "mean streak" was for naught!! Or. Was it? She had "opinions". This balding silver-haired senior experienced doctor with the syringe is not her friend!! A canine died here, for Heaven's sake. She does not like this man!! This murderer!! So Rose "told him off"!! She was only expressing freedom of speech, after all!! Is that such a bad thing?    

 

22 comments:

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

She obviously knew something what going on...that she didn't like.

XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

Sketching with Dogs said...

You are right Raelyn, you never know what is going on in their little heads. They can sense things we can't and for all Rose knew, she might be the next. I always get a lump in my throat when someone leaves the vet after having to do the most difficult thing a person can do.
We took Dip to the vet for her yearly booster on Wednesday and she squirmed the whole time.
Lynne x

Unknown said...

Oh bless the poor lady. How sad. We are pleased to read that Rose is fine. Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly

Mary Lou said...

Daisy, Bella & Roxy....
Thank-you for the comment!!
"She obviously knew something what going on...that she didn't like.". True. What I oft forget, is that canines possess this amazing sense of observation.... ;op

Mary Lou said...

Lynne....
Thank-you for commenting!!
"They can sense things we can't and for all Rose knew, she might be the next.". Good point. What I oft forget, is that canines possess this amazing sense of observation.... ;)
"I always get a lump in my throat when someone leaves the vet after having to do the most difficult thing a person can do.". Yeah, it was not this happy feeling, for certain. Not too long ago, I was that woman.... :-(
You took Dip for her yearly booster.... On Wednesday?! Seriously?! That was the day when we took Rose to her vet!! Funny!! ;op

Mary Lou said...

Molly....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Yep, Rose is most certainly fine!! Healthy, contented, and happy to be out of that vet's clinic!! I guess that she can be sometimes irrational.... Like her Mama!! Hee, hee, hee.... ;op

Finn said...

I know, Finn is super crazy at the vet's office too. You never know! Have a great weekend!

Mary Lou said...

Finn....
Thank-you for the comment!!
That's right!! You never know. ;op

coffeedog said...

i've read that dogs can sense death in the air. poor woman. i too have experienced that loss 32 months ago, though it feels like yesterday :(
i'm glad rose got a clean bill of health.

Mary Lou said...

coffeedog....
Thank-you for the comment!!
"I've read that dogs can sense death in the air.". Yeah. I wonder if that was what got into Rose? Huh. She could sense death in the air? :-(
I had to put my first Beautifully Unique mutt, Shadow, to sleep on June 15th, 2010. I still think about her. That is not a negative thing!! ;op

Remington said...

She knew something was going on....

Suka said...

Very sad for the lady.

I am sure Rose sensed the passing of the dog, and she may have been sensing other things as well. Either way, something obviously got her in a bad, or scared mood, and she did what she had to do! Or maybe Rose was just having a bad day. Regardless, glad you were able to reign her in and help her relax her mood so the Vet could do his job.

It seems like you felt the negative energy as well, so perhaps there was more going on that the eyes could not see. Interesting.

At least Rose is healthy, current on her shots, and you are both home safely!

Suka and K

Alison said...

Oh poor Rose. Dog's are so much smart then most people give them credit for. She knew exactly what was going on.

Stacey said...

Aw, sweet Rose!! My Jess is terrified of the Vets! She will not sit on the table, she literally throws herself in the air frantically to avoid it so the vet has to see her on the floor. It's so strange what dogs can sense! They deserve much more credit than we give them!

Mary Lou said...

Remington....
Thank-you for the comment!!
"She knew something was going on....". True. What I oft forget, is that canines possess this amazing sense of observation.... ;op

Ryker said...

I'm sure Rose could feel all the stress of the situation that day. What a sad moment in time.

Mary Lou said...

Suka and K....
Thank-you for the comment!!
"I am sure Rose sensed the passing of the dog, and she may have been sensing other things as well. It seems like you felt the negative energy as well, so perhaps there was more going on that the eyes could not see. Interesting.". Yep. Interesting, indeed!! Thanks for the thought, Suka and K!!

Mary Lou said...

Alison....
Thank-you for the comment!!
"Dogs are so much smart then most people give them credit for. She knew exactly what was going on.". I concur!! ;op

Mary Lou said...

Stacey....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Weird. You adopted Jess as an adult "second chance" dog, right? I wonder if she had a negative experience at some vet once!! Poor girl!! :-(
"It's so strange what dogs can sense! They deserve much more credit than we give them!". I concur!! ;op

Mary Lou said...

RYKER....
Thank-you for the comment!!
"I'm sure Rose could feel all the stress of the situation that day. What a sad moment in time.". A sad moment in time.... ;op

Ruby said...

How funny! She is a smart dog, and I am sure he was not offended. Most doctors and dentists are used to people not being too happy to see them. I would not like that job at all!

Mary Lou said...

Ruby....
Thank-you for the comment!!
WELCOME BACK, stranger!! ;)
Oh, no. He was not offended!! Or daunted, either!! He just went straight to work!! I was the confused and scared one!! Hee, hee, hee.... ;op