Gilbert the Good – enforced rest
Barry and Janice went out this afternoon and left all us animals at home, but before they went, Janice noticed I was limping and holding my paw up. They had an appointment, so couldn’t look at me more closely then, but when they reached home again, they tricked me with words like ‘Treats’ and ‘Chicken’ and ‘Chews’ just to make me get up and trot towards them. I wanted to stay in my bed because my paw hurt, though I wasn’t whimpering or shivering. They thought I was a bit quiet, though, so Barry ‘phoned up and took me to see Selene-the-vet. She’s only five minutes away by car.
Everyone at the vets made a fuss of me, and I was pleased to see them all – they’re so friendly and always give me a couple of yummy biscuits.
Anyway, it turned out that my paw has a cut on the pad. I’ve just come home and I’m a bit fed up because I’ve been told I mustn’t go out for a walk for seven days! SEVEN days!! AND I’ve got to wear a boot on my foot every time I want to go out to do the necessary – that’s going to be a bundle of laughs, I can tell you.
Jellicoe, Gilbert and Herschel
I’ve got some medicine to have once a day with my food to take away the pain and make sure the cut doesn’t get infected. There’s also some stuff to mix with water to bathe my paw. Janice groaned when she heard that, remembering Dominie-who-went-before me and how when her paw was bathed, she shook the mixture off her paw and all over the place, principally over Janice. I’m sure I shall be a good boy, though. My paw has to be bathed twice a day for five minutes. I think Janice is looking forward to that, because she laughed when she read that out to me.
It's going to be hard seeing Roxy go out for a walk, knowing that I can’t go out for SEVEN WHOLE DAYS! Roxy says it will soon pass, but I will miss it, especially the ponds.
Yesterday, Barry threw a big stick into the pond for me to retrieve. (They have to be big sticks, so they don’t get caught in my throat.) The stick must have been quite old and damp because it sank, and I spent ages diving under the water to find it. I could smell it, but I just couldn’t locate it. Eventually, Barry called me out because he was getting worried about me getting too tired.
When we went back this morning for our walk, he wouldn’t let me go in the pond. I think he knew I would be hunting again for yesterday’s stick. He told Janice I’m the most persistent retriever they have ever had, and that’s quite something. I am a very good boy – well-bred, don’t you know!
Time for supper now and my first dose of medicine. Seven whole days! SEVEN whole DAYS . . .
TTFN
Gilbert
Awww Gilbert, so sorry about your hurt foot and having to stay in for a week- that is about two months in dog time! Be well soon, enjoy the fur pile around you, must be warm and cosy.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Linda Sue. I'm sure there will be compensations, but SEVEN days - sn'f, sn'f.
DeleteOh Gilbert, this is unhappy news. May you heal quickly! Being surrounded by so many dear friends will surely help pass the time. Good luck, Janice on the paw bathing!
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Stephanie. I will be a brave boy. Janice says thank you, too.
DeleteAh poor Gilbert. Listen closely though and you'll soon be well! Lovely cuddle pile there.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Sharon. It's good to have the cats cuddling up . . . most of the time.
DeleteIt's nice to see the feline nursing staff at work but SEVEN DAYS!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Bob. The felines do their best, and it's nice to have them looking after me, but they can't compete with the forest and the ponds.
DeleteOh Gilbert - you are just adorable. Yes seven days is a long time but at least you don't have to wear one of those hideous cone things around your neck. Elizabethan collars they call them but Madam Pip tells me she can think of a much better name than that!!! Take care sweet Gilbert. xx
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Julie. The Collar of Shame is horrible and I'm glad I haven't got one of those. I'm sure Madam Pip's name is superb - and rude!
DeleteThey are all lumping together like a giant mass
ReplyDeleteDearest Gilbert, I hate to break this to you, but these will be seven human days, not dog days which are 1/7th of human days. If I am right, it is 49 of your days. Good luck mate, and take care.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Andrew. I can't count beyond three, so I shan't worry too much, but I will take care, and it's so nice to have an Australian mate.
DeleteI hope your new boot is stylish and flattering. All the neighbourhood dogs will be so very envious.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, JayCee. I will take a photograph, well, at least, one of the humans will. I can't manage cameras.
DeleteOh Gilbert that was a lovely post from you. You won't seize up in 7 days, and at the end you will be 7 days closer to Spring and daffodils and stuff. In the meantime make the most of warm cuddles with the felines.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Tiggers' Mum. That's a really nice way of looking at it - I shall have to remind myself of that when Roxy goes out and I don't.
DeletePoor Gilbert! Please pass on gentle scritches and I hope that everyone survives the next seven days.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Lyssa. I shall do my best to make sure that everyone is counting the days until I can go out again.
DeleteSeven days, I hope you have extra treats to keep you happy.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Poppypatchwork. Extra treats sound good. I'll nudge the humans.
DeleteDear Gilbert, we hope you can find something to keep you occupied indoors for seven long days. And maybe Janice can wear it rubber apron when it's time to wash your paw. You want to make sure you keep it clean and it heals properly you know.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Lynn and Precious. I expect I'll manage . . . sigh! Good tip for Janice, though - I'll be sure to pass it on.
Deleteoh no, sweet Gilbert. I am so sorry you have to do this for SEVEN WHOLE DAYS! and poor mama also.. prayers for quickly healing paw and for Mama to have lots of patience and that you get treats for being treated.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, MadSnapper n Beau. I like the idea of treats - that's quite cheered me up.
DeleteOh Gilbert, I am so sorry to hear about your paw. Yes, seven whole days does sound like a long time but I'm sure it will be over before you know it. And won't it be nice to have your paw feeling all better so that you don't have to limp any more?
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Ann. You're quite right, of course. Limping's not much fun, and one day has already passed.
DeleteI think I am seeing three dogs and two cats. Am I missing any?
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: There are just the two of us dogs and two cats, but I understand there used to be four dogs and three cats once upon a time.
DeletePoor Gilbert! Olga once cut her paw on some broken glass but she healed pretty quickly, so fingers crossed. That last photo is a gem! (All of them are, honestly.)
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Steve. We dogs have to be so careful with our paws. It's surprising they are not damaged more often. We are quite photogenic, aren't we?
DeleteAww Gilbert, I am sorry to read about your hurt foot and that you are having to stay in for a week, that will seem like a long time to you.
ReplyDeleteI wish you good healing and you are surrounded by your other furry friends and of course Janice and Barry who will look after you so well (perhaps if you are extra good you may have an extra treat or two!)
All the best Jan
PS I did enjoy seeing you and your friends in the photographs.
Gilbert says: Thank you, Jan. I am hoping for extra treats. I'm not poorly, but I do feel a bit miserable.
DeleteOh, poor you, Gilbert. 7 days will go by so quickly. I bet in between you'll get lost of treats and cuddles.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, CJ. One day has already gone. That's good, isn't it? Treats and cuddles are always welcome.
DeleteGilbert, I sympathize - I would hate to have my walking restricted for a week. But you'll heal that much quicker if you listen to the vet's instructions. You might even get an extra treat or two.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Alana. I know it makes sense and I will be good, especially if treats are involved.
DeleteI am very sorry Gilbert, this is hard for a human to be so restricted and I know how hard it will be for you as an energetic pup. Take heart, this is all done for the love of you. You will be out diving for that stick in no time and I wish your paw speedy healing.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Denise. I know you're right and I will do as I'm told. The time will soon pass, so Roxy says.
DeletePoor Gilbert! xxx
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Polyester Princess. It's so nice to have everyone wishing me well.
ReplyDeleteAt least he has Jellicoe and Herschel to comfort him and they do look sympathetic.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Jellicoe and Herschel like cuddling up with me and grooming my head, like a very large kitten.
ReplyDeleteGilbert, at the beginning the seven days feels like forever, but once it is over you will be surprised at how fast it went by.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: You're right, of course, and now I'm two days in!
DeletePoor Gilbert! I hope he heals quickly.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Kathy. I'm not limping any more, so that's good.
DeleteGilbert: I'm sorry to hear your paw is sore, and hope the time passes quickly for you in the company of your excellently colour-coordinated furry family :)
ReplyDeleteJanice: Ach, the dreaded nursing duties we take on for our animals!! Being humans, we do not live just in the moment and the knowledge of the effort that lies ahead can be crushing - good luck :)
Gilbert says: Thank you, Jenny. The cats are very kind!!
DeleteJanice says: Thank you, Jenny. I know you understand about veterinary nursing! 😺😸
Hi Janice and family ... I've been following the fun and games ... and now hope that you Gilbert recover quickly ... look after everyone ...cheers for now - Hilary
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Hilary. My paw is feeling much better now. 🐶
DeletePoor Gilbert. This will surely require many treats and much sympathetic petting. I would wish for you to get well soon, but I suppose it would be a waste of time. The 'seven long days' seem to be writ in granite. Patience is a virtue, the humans like to say. I would respond that those humans have never had a cut on their paw.
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Debby. The humans can never understand what we quadrupeds have to put up with.
DeleteGet well soon Gilbert .
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Beverley.
DeleteAw, poor Gilbert. Get well soon and do what Janice says - she knows best! xx
ReplyDeleteGilbert says: Thank you, Joy. Janice does know best . . . occasionally.
ReplyDelete