I could write a book about the relationships my animals have. But this photo is better than words. Let me explain.
It brings me to tears every time time I look.
First, the bad news. The vet came out yesterday to trim Doink’s tusk and hooves. Actually two vets. My guy and the young woman vet who comes for barnyard visits.
Basically, it did not go the way I was hoping, just like last year. I gave Doink the prescribed sedatives (the vet and I had talked at length about the proper drugs) yet he struggled as they trimmed his hooves. The vet seemed to think Doink was sedated enough so he wouldn’t struggle – and I took the vet’s word on it – but he did. He struggled so much that the vet decided to not trim his tusks and to come back in a couple of months with a stronger round of drugs. Yes, stronger drugs. PLEASE.
I appreciate my vet. I like him. I don’t understand him, but I like him. He is my choice because I have no other choice. For me, this is unique. In most areas of my consumer-driven life I have choices. Not here.
My vet pats me on the back right before he leaves, I give them a wave as they drive off, then I turn around and burst into tears. I appreciate the pat, but I really, really want a better outcome. I want what I believe my Doink deserves.
Like an idiot, I continue to have this story line in my head. I talk to vet, vet understands and gives me enough drugs to put Doink into a deep, deep sleep, vet arrives at my house, does his job, leaves, Doink wakes up all happy and full of love.
Maybe next time. Actually, next time the pig will be fully sedated before the vet touches him. Fully. Sedated. I may be slow but I’m not stupid.
The real story, the one that counts forever, is Brandy. Brandy stood on the other side of the gate during the whole thing. Never left. And when the vets were gone and the gate was opened, she was RIGHT THERE.
I’ve got this guy’s back. You hearin’ me? Now leave us alone.
She didn’t leave his side the rest of the afternoon.
They have a very, very special relationship. We should all be so lucky.
When life has been hard, it sure is nice to have your best friend there to make it better.
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Aww, poor doink! I know what you mean . . . One of my horses hates the vets and the other one doesn’t mind the vet but hates the dentist!!! Neither mind the farrier though which is good!
The goats don’t mind their hoof trim – they’ll stand there as long as the animal crackers keep coming!
Joan, this makes me so sad. But Brandy is the blessing in it all.
She is one sweet goat!
It is very special to witness such devotion in animals towards one another. I can understand the tears – it is so hard to see our friends struggle in pain especially when we are the culprits (even if it is for their own good health). Is it possible to transport Doink to another large animal vet? I am very fortunate to have choices but for my little horse and now my chickens I have used the same practice for nearly 30 years. To sedate horses for various procedures, they have always injected something to knock them out and to date – no struggles or complications. Maybe contacting veterinarians out of your area to find out how they handle Doink like animals and then asking your vet to talk to them or somehow presenting this information to your vet so they don’t take it as criticism. Some vets really despise being questioned – I see it as being an informed consumer. But I’m sure he would like to have the same outcome as you do – a very happy Doink!
Oh, Ellen, believe me I have tried! I don’t think transporting him is a good idea unless it is some kind of acute emergency, and anyway I would have no idea how to get him in the back of my CR-V!
I know sedating pigs safely is a bit tricky. I think the disconnect with my vet is his level vs. my level of being able to tolerate Doink’s fear. He thinks of it as two minutes of inconvenience. I think of it as two minutes of terror. But for sure, this will not happen again!
Hi Joan,
This is Deb (we have met at your back fence…Doug and I have the brown and white border collie, Rylee and the blond shiba inu mix, Annie. We often walk with Jo and her german shepherds Ziggy and Moxie).
I am so glad you mentioned you have this blog! 🙂 We have missed visiting your gang since the ditch has been running high this summer. We are looking forward to getting back there to say “hi” soon.
It warms my heart to hear of Brandy being so supportive of Doink. I have truly been touched by their friendship many times and this just brings tears to my eyes! I will send good thoughts to Doink.
See you soon!
~Deb
Hey Deb! I’ve missed you this summer! The grass back there was almost over my head until it got baled a couple of weeks ago. The farmer said he hadn’t seen it that tall in his 68 years of farming!
The barnyard misses your visits, too – you know they love company! We’ve got teenage chicks and baby chicks running around everywhere now. Hope to see you soon 🙂
Dear Mrs. Hobbs,
I fully understand your frustration, in the world of Dairy Goats we face the same issues of finding a vet, who is able to help us with our animals. Many vets are not trained to deal with goat illnesses. Many times we loose goats that might have lived, if; we had a vet that understands goat illnesses. I am sorry that your having this issue. You may consider searching for a local farmer, who has raised pigs for many years and they may be able to help you. Many members of the Goat Community deal with our goat issues in this manner. We have a fully stocked medicine cabinet and we learn to treat the common illnesses or other issues. You may able to build some device that will confine him, much like the one that cattle people use, but home made and on a much smaller scale. You may look at those devices on line or in farm stores. I hope you find a solution to your problem. I like the sweet story about the goat and pig buddy system. Thank you for sharing, Phyllis K Gault
Thanks for the suggestions, Phyllis. Amazingly, I have a GREAT goat vet and a wonderful goat dairy farmer who has taught me oh so much 🙂
I believe the best thing I can do, like you said, is learn as much as I can from others so I can be a better advocate for the animals in these kinds of situations.
awww…love your pictures of doink and brandy. Don’t like the story of the vet and trauma for your poor doink. Hopefully things will go better next time. I know it’s hard when you love your animals and want the best for them without undue pain and suffering. Hopefully watching brandy with doink made you feel a tad bit better too. Better give that doink an extra hug!
The Doink Man is getting plenty o’ hugs – he seems to appreciate the extra attention!
Joan – my husband and I TOTALLY get how you feel about watching a beloved furry family member struggle with terror. Yep, we feel it’s terrifying for them to have to see the vet (who comes to the house) or to have to be stuffed into crates when they need to go the animal hospital. Lord knows we could all use some Xanax for any of these visits!! My hubbs is especially sensitive to their pain, so I try to have things done when he’s not around. I tend to be a little more stoic, knowing that they need whatever’s being done, and hurry the heck up Mr. Vet, so they can get back to their normal routine! How fortunate we all are, to be able to love this critters!!!!!!
Thanks for the sympathetic ear, Karla! I guess I continue to be amazed that with the growing popularity of hobby farms and backyard animal keeping, there’s not more vets out there to treat the animals.
And yes – we are very, very lucky to have these critters around!
Joan Hobbs recently posted…An Unsuccessful Vet Visit. Again.
Ahh, how sweet. Critters really bond, even across breeds…
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