Arria...

K the physio was here this morning to see me and then Alan.  

I had a lovely session with her as she focussed on therapeutic massage of my hands and my back.  Bliss.  It was over far too soon.  

After a late lunch David and I took Lola to the Vet for a chat about her food intake (over the past few weeks she has gone from a gulper to a nibbler) and to have her eyes checked (they've been a bit gunky and bloodshot and we suspect it's pollen allergy but thought it best to get them checked)

She loves going to the Vet as they run a doggy daycare centre on the premises and there are always dogs coming and going so plenty to see and sniff!

When we arrived in the waiting room a little boy and girl, around eight and ten years old were waiting with their mum.  Their eyes sparkled when they saw Lola and before we were fully in the door or had the chance to say anything, they were petting her.  We are absolutely fine with people making a fuss of her but it always alarms us when parents don't ask or teach their children to ask if she's a friendly dog and likes being petted, before they put their hands, and in the case of the little boy, his face, in close proximity to her mouth.  We know she is the friendliest dog in Scotland but they don't!  I did make a point of saying "it's ok to pet her" but it was more to try and make the point that they should have checked first.

That said, it was lovely to see her smiling at them and responding to their tickles.  She really is like a cuddly teddy bear.

Mel, the Vet arrived and took us through to one of the consulting room.  The weighing scale is just outside the door and I was keen to find out what she weighs as I am sure her weight has gone down, but to our surprise she point blank refused to get on the scale and was clearly terrified by it.  She's never been rushing onto it in the past but a treat normally entices her.  I can only think that the last time she was on it, she was given the kennel cough vaccine straight after, meaning she now associates going on the scale with something unpleasant happening afterwards.  We will pop to Pets at Home in Perth later in the week and see if she will get on their scales.

So, after a thorough check up Mel's conclusion is she is just being fussy when it comes to eating and thinking that if she holds out, something better will come along.  I wonder if she's gotten used to having the training treats (which she loves) during all her training and is waiting to have them.  Well she's in for a shock over the next few days as she is getting no treats, just her two meals put down and lifted again after 20 minutes.  

Our Vet is a raw feeding specialist and stocks different varieties of raw food from various manufacturers and although we do give her a varied diet, we have bought some food from a different supplier to see how she gets on with that.

Mel gave her eyes a thorough check too and they are fine, just pollen irritated as we suspected so she'll get some Piriton for that. Mel also checked her mouth and teeth and her tummy.  All good.  In fact she was full of praise for her saying she is stunning and in the peak of health with lovely white teeth (no horrible dog breath which is one of the pluses of raw feeding :-) perfect coat and perfect weight for her breed and build.  I felt much better when we left.  I think I am just being an over anxious doggy mum! 

A made a quick stop at M&S Simply Food on the way home to pick up some supplies.  I really must do a Tesco online shop.  We got home just as Alan was heading out with Ally and Lisa.  I think they were heading to Ikea.  Certainly going in the Glasgow direction.  

I had planned to do a flower blip today but of course since we were passing my beloved Arria on the way to the Vet, it had to be her.