Heidi has just come through her second yearly heat cycle for this years. Not as successfully as I had intended.
When Heidi is in heat I take great pains to defend her "honour". I go outside with her, keep her on a short lease and run interference with the lovely Golden Retriever male dog next door who like to pursue her when she is "in season".
Well, I failed her this time! I left the cellar door closed but unlatched and Hunter, the male canine from next door pushed it open and let Heidi out for a romp. When I realized this the hunt was on. I called a neighbour for some help and we drove toward town and found them about a quarter of a mile away. I returned Heidi to the house to only have Hunter do this trick a second time. This time he pushed open the front door of the house. We located them in a neighbour's yard half a mile away.
Did the deed get done? Was Heidi willing to "stand for" this handsome canine. ( Can't help using that expression without remember a neighbour when I was a child who spent a lot of her time shouting at her five kids and husband, that she was "not going to stand for it any more". I wonder what she meant by it? Then and now!)
I phoned the vet for some advice. The vet tech I spoke with had only spaying on her mind. My inquiries about a morning after pill for dogs got no reply. Remembering my days of abortion counseling I asked if they ever used an injection of prostaglandins. I don't think she knew what I was talking about. I finally agreed to a day for spaying the dog being unprepared to deal with a bunch of cross bred pups.
I took the dog into the vet expecting her to be spayed only to have a discussion with the vet this time. No there is no morning after pill. Yes, prostaglandins could be used but there are side effects. (I had in the meantime refreshed my knowledge of this drug, which was experimental when I first heard of it, and found it was no longer being used with any regularity to induce late term abortions, in women. I had already ruled it out for Heidi.) Between the vet and my faulty memory of the date spotting began, he figured Heidi would not have stood for the male dog. Ther would have been no romantic "latching". I was relieved but still worried. The vet still advised spaying Heidi (and so he should since it costs $500 and an additional $111 is she was pregnant.) I relented and we set up a date for the spaying after Heidi heat cycle ended. I took her home to wait for July 27, the day of the operation.
The day after I got her home, Hunter was no longer interested in her. My memories of her dates must have been off, too much wishful thinking.
I think Heidi knows something is up. She is a little quieter than usual, or am I feeling guilty. Maybe it is just the heat (sorry! a double entendre joke).
I spend several times each day sitting on the porch swing with Heidi, consoling her; more likely, trying to make myself feel better about my role in her having the surgery.
I hate it when Heidi assumes this pose as if she is training for the position she will be in when she has her surgery.
Is she hugging the pillow to comfort herself?
I will be glad when it is all over. I know! I know! if will be better when she is finally spayed.
I can't help remembering that this is the vet that killed June's tea cup poodle with some medication. . . . . . Let's not go there. Banish the thought.