Whitney Visits the Vet

    Today was the big day: Whitney's first visit to the vet with us. Whitney will be six in June, so she has had visits to a vet prior to us owning her. She has lived with us since Dec. 2009, and today was our first adventure together as a family, to a new vet.
    Before we went on this new adventure we had a little prep work to do. Whitney is a miniature poodle, with black curly hair. Just before we got her, she had visited the 'Doggie Parlor' and was given the typical poodle cut. Temperature wise that was a very brutal winter, and she was cold and uncomfortable every time she went out to do her business; so for the next few months we let her hair grow out. When spring came we both agreed that the typical poodle cut was not our 'style'. Don't misunderstand, the poodle cut is very nice, but it's just not the cut for our Whitney. Knowing that she needed short hair for the upcoming hot months, we decided we would do the trimming ourselves. Neither of us had any experience in this field, so it was a 'learn as you go' time for us. (Actually, DJ does the trimming and I do the holding.) The first trim turned out pretty good and DJ has improved her skills with each trimming. 
    This past winter we decided to let Whitney have a nice coat to help her tolerate the cold trips outside. As the winter moved along and her hair grew, it was hard to tell she was even a poodle; at times she reminded me of a fat woolly lamb. Quite adorable, I should say.
    Okay, on to the prep work; Spring has finally arrived, its warming up, and it's time to rid Whitney of her heavy coat. Better have her new spring 'do' before we go to the vet. When I came home Thursday evening, there was Whitney with her new spring 'do'. She was wiggling with excitement as she welcomed me home. I looked in her eyes and heard, "Look at me Mom, isn't this just the coolest cut ever?" The woolly lamb look is gone, and the short haired little Whitney has returned.
    Friday and it's time for our trip to the vet. As we venture down the long driveway to the clinic, the car windows are down a bit, just enough where Whitney's nose begins to twitch as she picks up some scents. The closer we get to the clinic her little body begins to quiver. Having never been here before, the smells must have triggered a memory that screamed Doctor.
    She showed no fear as she marched into the clinic. The Dr. and his staff were kind and gentle with Whitney, which helped with any anxiety she may have been having. She was a brave little trooper through it all.
    Whitney loves her treats, say the word and she's there. When the Dr. offered her a treat, she looked away, with her nose in the air, as if she were saying, "You've got to be kidding, I just want out of this place."
    Doctor visit over, and enjoying being back in the safety of her home.

     So long, I'll see you soon!