Dog Days

As promised, I took Buster and Gracie in to the vet on Wednesday. Gracie pooped out halfway, and I had to carry her the rest of the way in (and more than half the way back home). Buster didn't, but he was rather overheated when we got there; alcohol on his paws and a bowl of water resolved that problem. I had them do bloodwork on both dogs, since they both need dental work. Gracie's came back fine; Buster's was a little short on thyroid hormone, but the vet and I agreed that he showed no signs of thyroid deficiency (hair loss, lethargy...). Oh, boy, does he not show those signs.

Gracie will probably have to lose a couple of molars. (I suspected she was having trouble when she stopped accepting crunchy treats. I went out and bought a bag of Pupperoni yesterday.) Buster's in better shape, but he's cracked one molar, which will have to come out. The vet and I talked briefly about reduced muzzles lacking room for a full set of teeth. (The book on canine evolution I read a while ago had a lot to say about canid teeth and muzzles; the short faces so many breeds have today run counter to a long evolutionary history.)

I've scheduled grooming appointments for them next week - Gracie on Tuesday, Buster on Wednesday. They should have gone in a month or two ago, but the screwy weather we've had all year delayed things. Better late than never, I guess; they'll be a lot more comfortable afterwards, at least.

I Should Have Worn an Undershirt

One thing I didn't mention.

From here to the vet is about two miles. On Wednesday, I walked that distance four times (to and from, once for each dog); though it wasn't always sunny, at worst it was partly cloudy. In any case, the UV was strong.

On the shirt I was wearing, the top buttonhole (well, the second if you count the collar) is worn, and will not hold the button. To keep it buttoned requires rebuttoning every few minutes, and I generally don't bother. Certainly I didn't on Wednesday, my hands being otherwise occupied.

The upshot is this: I have a curious narrow triangular sunburn on my upper chest. It isn't painful, but it's quite prominent when I look at myself in the mirror shirtless. Kinda funny-looking.