Sorted!

Archie had no breakfast this morning before we set off for the vet's. Come to think of it, neither did we, as we suddenly realised we were running late.

In the waiting room were several dogs, including a lovely big black lab. The receptionist knew the lab and his owner and announced to everyone waiting that the dog (and the owner) had been in Afghanistan and Iraq on bomb sniffing duties! The soldier retired at the same time as the dog, and so he was able to keep him. If he hadn't, he told us, the dogs are put down when they are retired at nine years old. That's unbelievable! We got called in just then - I would have liked to have quizzed him more. Anyway, I hope he is all right - I think he'd eaten something he shouldn't have (the dog...).

Archie yelped as we went out and left him with the nurse, but we didn't look back...

Went back to collect him about 2pm. The place was full of barking yappy unfriendly dogs. Really noisy. Poor wee Archie must have been scared all alone in his recovery cage. When he came in to us he cried and cried and cried. He was still crying out in the car park. We weren't much better!

However, after a wee snooze on the sofa, and a mooch around for a while looking miserable, I was never so pleased to feel him begin to chew my laces, something I've been trying to dissuade him from doing of late.

He seems to be perking up a bit now. He has a new toy - a ball with kibble inside, and as he rolls it around the treats fall out. And it's big enough not to disappear under the kitchen cabinets. He's rolling it around the kitchen with a bit of feeble gusto as we speak.

His ears are sorted. De-haired and syringed out, ready to start again. We have drops to put in and go back in 10 days.

I won't mention the cost. He's worth it.