February 9, 2018

White Dog and the rest of the White Dog Army walked Nilla to the door...and greeted her like a hero when we returned. It made her feel very cared for and special.

This trip she did not like sitting on the shiny metal table in Dr. Julia's office, especially once Steve stepped back to allow the vet nurse to hold our girl. Nilla rolled back her gums and bared teeth at Dr. Julia.

"Thank you Vanilla," Dr. Julia said, "I was wondering how I was going to get a look inside your mouth. The gum infection looks pretty cleared up. Is it easier to crunch?"Steve nodded an affirmation and mentioned that although she never had stopped eating, these past few days our old girl seemed to be enjoying the process more. "Good. Let's do this liquid antibiotic once a week every month to keep the infection at bay for her. She really needs a dental but at her age this is an acceptable alternative."

Next, Dr. Julia rechecked the eyelid injury. "It is healing very well," she complimented. "Just keep the area around the eye very clean. The sutures will dissolve but there is still a bit of swelling that we need to keep watch over. Her tear stains could present a bacteria issue so try to wash them with saline eye drops. The eye itself looks fine; amazingly she doesn't even have clouding or the start of cataracts. Pretty good for a girl of 18."

"Now how about those areas of thinning furs. Let's look. The supplements seem to be helping. I see some new down and the bare parts are a lot less irritated looking. Nilla, you will be back to full fluffiness in no time. Let's keep up the supplements just to keep her autoimmune system humming."

And just like that I gathered Nilla back into my arms and she was given a clean bill of health.

"When do you want to see her again?" Steve asked. "When she has an issue we need to address or in six-months," was the reply.

Nilla could not wait to get home, out of the vet's office and tell the others that she was not only good to go but was ready for the duck jerky treats that were late.

Out on the deck with the WDA after dinner sharing stories of her experience and enjoying a night that is still quite warm.