Sydney was due for her yearly round of shots and general checkup this month, and I managed to find her an opening at the swanky new vet while Austin's away. The vet was very understanding at how chicken our dog is around new people, and just sat and chatted for a half-hour before any action took place. Once it was time for the shots, they insisted Sydney would be taken to the back and I stay in the hall, since the dogs will pick up on any stress from the owner.

I felt bad at the howling from the back from our otherwise silent dog, and I heard her feet trying to scrabble away as they held her still. Apparently it wasn't the shots, it was the "people I don't know are touching me!" that freaked her out. If I were in such a situation I would have barked and bit and tried to run, but our dog is much more clever. She decided on the strategy of pooping all over and then rolling in it to ward off attackers. They gave her the shot and cleaned her up, and led her back out to the main hallway. I was mortified for five miunutes until I saw the bill. Two hundred dollars for some shots and a blood draw? I wish I fed her spicy sausage for breakfast. Go, dog, go!