Kate's annual checkup

I took Kate for her annual checkup and shots today. There was a little trepidation on my part because we were going to a new vet. Our previous vet in Shekomeko is just too far away, unfortunately. Kate doesn't travel well, and besides, I think it is important to have a vet/physician nearby.

The Shekomeko vet recommended someone in the area and I took her at her word. And after meeting the vet, I am pleased with the choice.

Kate is doing fine, considering she's 12 years old. She is "fit trim," according to the vet, and that is a good thing. There is some bluing of her eyes, which seems to be normal for her age. Heart and lungs sound good, too.

In six months, we're going to have a blood test done to see how well she would tolerate anesthesia, so the tartar on her teeth can be addressed. And I picked up a tooth-care kit today and promised to use it on a regular basis.

The old gal herself did not want to be on the examination table. She kept trying to jump over the nurse who was amazingly able to hold onto her.

I remember one time back in NYC when I took her to the vet for the annual checkup and shots and Kate would have none of it. She wiggled, she squirmed, she made every effort to get the hell out of there. But, alas, the shots had not been administered and the blood had not been drawn.

The vet was trying to insert the needle to take a blood sample and there were three of us surrounding Kate, attempting to keep her in one place until the deed was done. Yes, we were all covered in hair, only a small part of it our own.

The needle was poised, ready to find a vein or artery, which was necessary for the sample — and Kate bucked.

If it had been a movie, it would have been in slow motion. I saw the needle and syringe at once in the vet's hands begin an arching movement that traveled between the nurse and me and fly over my shoulder. It landed on the floor behind us.

Whew!

Today's shots were uneventful. Kate is a trooper. And she didn't even throw up in the car.

A good day.

Weekend baking project?

I haven't made dog biscuits for Kate in a long time.

I started thinking about home-made biscuits since the recent pet food recalls.

I actually haven't made biscuits for Kate — and some of her friends — since I was living in Shekomeko. That's over two year ago.

I'd clean off my long, stainless steel dining table, scrub it good, and use it to roll out the dough after it was kneaded in a stand mixer.

Actually making dog biscuits satisfies the baking urge without risking the "eating all the fruits of your labors" urge. In other words, it's a lot safer than baking Toll House cookies.

While I was preparing the treats, Kate always seemed to know that something special was up. She seldom, if ever, would hang around the kitchen when I was cooking for myself.

Just like a kid, she would eagerly try the raw batter — if any just happened to fall on the floor.

The two recipes I have — Cinnamon Apple and Carrot-Oatmeal biscuit — smell really good while they are baking. I am told, though I've never tried them, that they are bland tasting (A friend of mine tried to eat one, at great risk to his capped teeth).

Even during the summer, Kate would lie by the oven until the biscuits were done.

Of course, the proof is in the eating and Kate would gobble up as many of the biscuits that I would give her. I would even give some of the home-made treats to friends for their dogs. One guy sniffed, "Oh, my dog would never eat anything with cinnamon." Boy was he wrong!

I think I just talked myself into making dog treats this weekend.