esrosedotblog

DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY

Franklin got his annual shots today. Bortedella, Parvo, DHLP.

And a physical.

He loves to go to the animal hospital and cooperates with every step in the process; even the rectal thermometer, although he does put his head down a bit and shoves into his dads. It is a little embarrassing and the nurse is a lady.

He doesn't flinch on the shots. He stands right up and takes it like a big boy.

We don't go that often, thankfully. So he doesn't quite 'get it' until we make the turn into the building. Then, the excitement builds.

There are people who pay a lot of attention. And then there are other dogs too.

He is a born schmoozer; an extrovert; a friend to all.

We go early and sit by the door so he can look them all over.

Cats come in too but we ignore them. Cats are to be chased or barely tolerated.

As we go into the doc, they weigh him. He even has that one down. He steps right up on the scale and, I swear, looks at the readout.

He is a steady at 67 pounds. We thought he might be overweight since the breeder works toward 60 but he is svelt and always has been. I guess he is just an over achiever.

Our first vet told us that he ought to be near-anorexic.

We don't go to him anymore. He moved out of the Valley back to Chicago. He didn't like the desert!

We had known him before he was a vet in Boston. Right after we got Franklin, we ran into him in town!

He was great with the dog. His physical exam consisted of getting down on the floor and 'wrestling'.

Since Leonard left, we just go with whoever is on duty. They are all nice and all competent as far as I can tell.

Franklin loves them all.

Did I mention the cookies?

The give treats although we don't use treats for behaviour at all. We allow it at the groomer (who goes all out of control with it) and the animal hospital.

The vets give 'vitamin' treats. A treat by any other name is still a treat.

But, it is OK.

Another family process. We love it too. It is a chance to show off in public with our 'best friend'.