And the winner is...

[ksmith]

...yup, kennel cough. Not as bad as it could be. The vaccine likely blunted it some. We're going to see if it can resolve on its own, since King and antibiotics don't get along all that well.

Bit of a dust-up when vet, who King does like, tried to take his temp. He had never done anything like that before--mouthed her arm through her coat, enough to leave a bruise. Vet and I had a talk about the changes he's been through recently--she sees the differences in him more than I do. He apparently does miss Mickey more than I thought. The trying-to-crawl-in-my-lap thing, which is only a few months old, probably started when King realized Mickey was sick. If that's the case, he knew it before anyone else did.

He may not be feeling too great from the kennel cough, either.

Anyway, he and vet made up. Vet and I talked some more. Then King and I went back to meet Gabby, who someone left at the vet's a few days ago, tied to the front door. A terrier mix, about 26 pounds. She will get bigger--she's very underweight. Very sweet. Does tricks. Is eager to please. She gave me her paw, and was very happy to let me pet her.

It's tentative. No aggression shown by either party--body language said "he's OK--she's OK". The vet still needs to check Gabby out--see if she's been fixed, etc. I take King back Friday for a date to meet her outside.

Comments

[ferragus.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed, for King, Gabby and yourself.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I got a good feeling. But I don't want to assume too much too soon.

She is a funny-looking little thing--think 'attenuated Yorkie,' fringy coat and all.

One day at a time...

[torrilin.livejournal.com]

I hope they get along. Sounds like King is *really* unhappy.

[aj-writers.livejournal.com]

My boxer-lab mix just recently went through kennel cough. I would warm some honey up for her - just a tablespoon a couple of times a day to help her throat. My mom found doggie ice-cream at the local grocery store too, which she loved.

I hope it works out with Gabby, poor little bug. *fingers crossed*

-Jenn

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I try to be there for him, but there's apparently a Mickey-shaped hole in his life, too.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I wonder if King's throat is sore. He did cough a little when vet felt his trachea, but he hasn't coughed yet this evening. He did eat dinner. I didn't think of honey. Didn't know doggy ice cream existed.

The vet figures someone either had to move to a place that didn't allow pets, or otherwise lost the ability to care for Gabby. The vet staff named her--whoever left her there left a note saying that she had her shots, but didn't tell them her name.

The vets office has another dog there that someone left, a young male Lab mix (or maybe a full Lab) who's a complete live wire and needs a big backyard and a ten year old. They have kittens. They've gotten other dogs in the past. People seem to leave them on Sunday, so they find them Monday morning.

[aj-writers.livejournal.com]

Katie's cough was just...painful for me to listen to at times. She had had her vaccine as well but my sister who is a vet tech said they are really only good for 6 months. I only wish she had told me that before the trip to the kennel.

The ice cream comes in little cups with pull away lids, kind of like the vanilla that used to come with wooden spoons. She's usually okay with the cat nosing into her food but was not so gracious with the ice cream.

Katie and her siblings were dropped of at the vets, which is better than the side of the road I suppose. I think King would do well with a well-behaved little lady. *G*

[torrilin.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it sounds like it. Most dogs I've known just don't bite like that without being horribly upset. Guard types are *very* reluctant to bite humans under normal circumstances... and that's the kind of dog I grew up with and like best.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

The key phrase is "well-behaved." As I discussed with other folks, I'm concerned about fence-jumping and digging and general destructiveness. I don't get that sense from Gabby, but issues possibly would not arise until after she settled in.

One day at a time.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

It was strange. I saw exactly what he did, a rapid-fire series of nips on one spot on her sleeve. He really restrained himself--vet knew it. She said he could've gotten her if he had wanted to, but he held back. He just didn't want that thermometer in his rear.

So vet and I sat on the floor. King stayed on the other side of the examining table for a few minutes while vet and I talked. Then he circled around the table and licked her face, which was his apology. As we talked, he licked her face again, put his head under her arm, then tried to stand on her lap. So alles forgiven.

King then tried to stand on my lap, too. I have the bruises as a reminder.

I knew he wasn't himself, but yesterday was a glaring example of how far he's deviated from plumb.

[(Anonymous)]

Thank goodness it's just kennel cough. I hope he's over it soon.

Good luck with Gabby!

Adrianne