The Vet, Again

Yes, Nougie's visit, so soon after the previous time. Nothing serious though, just a squirt of vaccine up the nose. The waiting room was not as full as it can be, but the patients in line before us were in consultation for a good while, so I took Nougat for a walk. As usual the first house just next to the vet had loud dogs which alerted the rest of the street's resident dogs that someone peeing on the sidewalk is on the way. It makes for a noisy and unpleasant walk. Nougat is a very sociable animal and the more dogs bark and jump up and down, the more she wants to meet them since barking loudly and jumping up and down when you are super happy is how things are done at home. I tried to explain to her as we walked along that all is not always as it seems, but before she was willing to heed my advice a snippy little dachshund pushed his snarly little muzzle through a fence and nipped her on the nose. My baby' expression was that of a kid on the playground who's sandwiches were taken from her by the school bully. Two houses further a big dog looking like he wanted to inflict serious injury was accompanied up and down their fence by a young spaniel running with a chewed plastic bottle who shook it furiously at each turn at the end of the fence. I turned us back to the vet where we resumed waiting. Still Nougat wanted to say hello to each sick moody dog and every doggie so much smaller than her that they snarled in self defense.

I don't think Nougat will ever understand why any other dog can even think of not being curious and friendly towards strangers. You see, in our house you have to have a good reason to get snarly, like another snout in your food bowl, someone in your bed, or someone drooling on your yummy snack or your favorite toy.

Please bark hello before you bite.