Dale Comes Home from the Vet

It was time for Dale’s annual exam.  He got into the car as willingly as a big blind dog can, and wallowed around in the back seat area during the entire drive.  I am glad the vet is not far away, as it is difficult to drive with a giant Labrador bumping the seat-back and tickling my armpit with his tremendous tail!  We walked into the vet with no difficulties, and we were directed quickly to a consultation room.  The tech who came to get Dale was a nice young guy who obviously loved big dogs, and Dale went with him immediately.  He and the Doc came out in a bit—his eye problems have progressed and he has an ear infection, he was grumbly and growly while they checked his ears, and he’s lost a bit of weight while developing some nice muscles—the old blind dog loves his walks!  We checked out and Dale hopped up on the back seat and stretched out—time to go home!

The problem came about five minutes later…Dale would not get out of the car.  No.  Nada.  This dog is not moving.  I tried treats.  I tried getting Maggie to come out and help.  She looked at him, whined, and walked back into the kitchen.  I tried shaking the crinkly bag of snacky snacks.  I tried a trail of them.  Dale tried to put his paw on my head to get to them—and I said “no way” to that.  Next, I tried opening the opposite car door and pushing on Dale’s posterior.  Dale said in his most fed-up-growl that that was not going to work.  Finally, I gave up, leaving the car door and the kitchen door open (garage door closed).  Thankfully, the weather was cool.

I fixed dinner, did some laundry, unpacked the dishwasher, checked email, fed Maggie dinner, with more noise and drama than normal…each time I checked on Dale, he was not coming out.  (I think he napped most of the time, stretched out on the comfy seat.)

Finally, Dad came home—he had been away all week for work, and Dale was glad his favorite person was back!  Dale grumbled a bit while being pushed out of the roomy car—he had had it all to himself, after all, but then he was happy.  He enjoyed a good dinner, and carried Eagle and Bunny all over the downstairs, and of course, had another nap.  Next week, Maggie and Dale will go to the groomer’s.  They will smell sweet when it’s over, but I wonder, how will it go?