I took my 160-pound Caucasian Ovcharka to the vet’s yesterday. He is an amazing creature.
My dog, not the vet.
Draws a crowd, a regular canine celebrity, wherever he goes.
***
We are asked to wait in a small examining room. So, we waited.
Two sturdy young women came in, both wearing smocks covered with colorful cuddly little animals . Both women about the same size as Hagrid.
Without much preamble, one put her arms around him and hugged him securely.
There’s a sign in every vet’s office: For Your Safety, Let Our Staff Restrain Your Animal.
For my safety? Ha! That always gives me a chuckle.
Wouldn’t try to restrain this animal and he loves me.
Why do you think strangers can get it done?
***
Anyway, I held his huge head, just in case. I have measured his teeth, in excess of 3/4th of an inch long.
The other woman stuck a needle in the big dog’s leg.
No problem, except no blood came out. So, she got another needle.
Problem. If you are going to stick Hagrid, let’s just say, you are not going to get a lot of chances.
Hagrid has a very low “Don’t Mess With Me” quotient.
Quietly, then a little louder, a deep, ominous growling.
Like rumbling thunder, heavy on the bass.
Then a noise, not a bark, more a roar, like somebody had stumbled into a mother bear’s cave.
No kidding, the walls actually vibrated.
Exit two young women, frightened faces the color of cuddly little animals.
***
Enter the vet and his senior aide.
‘I have a room full of chemicals,’ the vet tells me.
A dart gun from the doorway would be my suggestion, I offer.
I come to this particular professional because he understands large dogs; he owns large dogs himself.
Vet begins by speaking confidently and calmly to Hagrid.
‘He has a dominant personality, especially with strangers,’ the vet explains.
Both me and my dog, I note.
The doctor decided on local anesthesia, delicately administered. Some sleight of hand was involved.
And then there was no problem.
Well, there was the bill.
Wife and Pomeranian actual size. Hagrid has NOT been photoshopped.