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?