Shelter dogs aren't broken.

"Shelter dogs aren't broken.
They've simply experienced more life than other dogs.
If they were human, we would call them wise.
They would be the ones with tales to tell and stories to write.
The ones dealt a bad hand who responded with courage.
Don't pity a shelter dog.
Adopt one.
And be proud to have their greatness by your side."

~dogsrule.com

Colbert at the vets.

Normally when taking my youngest to the vets it results in an anxiety attack, heavy panting, whining, peeing, and eventually, the backwards sneeze; which involves putting your hand over his nose and forcing him to breathe through his mouth.

Took Colbert Wednesday for a routine physical at the new vet. Something he hasn't had for a while seeing as going to the vet's office was so stressful for him. We would sit outside on the bench or let him run on the grass and get called in, get whatever was needed and put him straight into the car.

Figured since it was new vet with no imprinted memories for him, such as waking up in a strange kennel when he was neutered, we might as well go for the full treatment.

Seeing as they didn't give Oreo his Lyme vaccine when I took him in a few weeks ago I brought him along too.

For new patients the vet asks for fecal samples. With an 11 AM appointment I figured they would have to pop a squat at some point in the morning. Negative. So we go to the vet sample-less, while I am checking in with the girl I look at them and BOTH are in the squat of shame in the middle of the waiting room, and both with the biggest happy faces ever. Ugh. Least the Dr knew it was a fresh sample.

Off to the exam room, Oreo has learned that if he gets on the scale and sits he gets a treat. Yeah, we did that routine a few dozen times.

They had to put the table up for Shorty McGee, the hydraulics interested him, but didn't freak him out. He did well with the shots, blood draw, and exam. Because his fur and body are so thick, and he was panting like a freight train, it was hard to hear his heart but Colbert is in great health.

His premature whitening is normal. As is his "Fly Snapping" and licking, both signs of OCD. We can put him on the veterinary equivalent of Valium if we wanted to but D and I aren't going to go that way. Mainly because it isn't incessant and the added stress of getting him to take a pill everyday would probably counter the effects of the drugs.

So in the end our little boy is healthy, as normal as he can be, and built like a brick shit house. (Yes, I know I just got that song stuck in your head!)