Trixie has been disturbed by an interruption in her quiet life. In a short stretch of time, she has gotten her nails clipped, ears cleaned, resumed regular walks now that the weather is warmer (she still hates walks), got a bath last night in which I chased her around the bathtub with the steroid spray for her itchy spots (she hates the sprayer), and today went to the vet for the yearly checkup. She wasn't listening for the worst of the news for herself--she needs a dental cleaning. (Actually, I was pleasantly surprised at the cost estimate for general anesthesia and cleaning- very reasonable!)
But the most negative news was directed at me. Trixie needs eye drops for a while. She has corneal edema (thankfully in just one eye) of unknown origin, and if the drops don't clear things up quickly we will be seeing a canine ophthamologist.
Giving eye drops to Trixie is RIDICULOUS. The vet tried to prove to both of us that it could be done with one person, but she wasn't able to do it. She asked, "is there a certain time of day when Trixie is a little more sleepy, maybe?" and I had to laugh. Trixie is always well-rested and up to the challenge. She is wiggly, slippery, and astonishingly creative and quick-thinking to remove herself from every hold I devise. I need one hand to hold the drug bottle, one hand to hold her head, and my legs just aren't adequate to keep the rest of her in place. And then there is my own fear of eye drops to combat; every time I get close enough to have a chance to get it done, I pause with my internal turmoil just long enough for her to figure out an escape.
Tonight I think I might have gotten a tiny bit of drug in her eye, in addition to the drops spilled on her nose. But I'm not sure enough, and so after this break I will try again. I'll wrap her up like a burrito in her favorite blanket first. Maybe that will reduce the slipperiness.
Trixie wags her tail merrily during this whole process. She thinks it's a neat game. She especially likes when I growl in frustration.
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