Ollie goes out in the car

~ beetleypete


Ollie, when he is ‘not happy’. Tail down, and panting.

Since he started the summer moult, Ollie has been scratching his legs and biting his ‘undercarriage’. These are sure signs of irritation caused by the usual skin infection he gets a few times a year. Rushing through nettles and brambles doesn’t help, nor does standing for long periods up to his neck in the river. That might cool him down, but it allows who knows what in the river to get into his system too.

So I bowed to the inevitable, and booked him in for a Vet appointment today. Then on Wednesday, he went to the groomer to have the loose fur stripped, and a nice bath. He came back looking sleek, and smelling a whole lot better too.

Taking Ollie to the Vet has to be done by car, as it is twelve miles away, in Swaffham. It makes me feel guilty to see how excited he gets to be going for a drive to some exciting new place, when I know where we are actually going. In the familiar car park, he emerges from his place at the back with a worried look. Having spent so much of his life to and from one Vet or another, he recognises the location immediately.

Once through the door, he begins panting and placing his paws on my knees, looking concerned, and turning in circles on his lead. I always try to see the same Vet, but he was doing surgery today, so I had to see a young lady instead. Meanwhile, a nervous Spaniel in the waiting room was whining and crying, which upset Ollie even more. He kept going over to check on the dog, to make sure he was alright.

By the time we were called in to the examination room, Ollie was trying to head for the door. Fortunately, his condition is well-known, so he only had to be weighed, and suffer a brief investigation with an ear-scope. He tolerates Vet treatment very well as a rule, and as long as I am there, they can do more or less anything to him. After a quick once-over, the lady Vet agreed that he should have the usual doses of ear-drops, antibiotics, and steroids for the inflammation and itchiness. When she got up to go and get the medicines, Ollie tried to exit through the closed door, keen to get back out to the car.

Still feeling guilty, I took him straight up to Milennium Wood in North Elmham, where he came across a group of Labradors and Terriers to sniff and play with.

By the time we were heading back to the car, he appeared to have forgotten his distressing trip.

Until the next time.

56 thoughts on “Ollie goes out in the car”

  2. I’ve been to Swaffham. We have holidayed in the area twice. Both times staying just outside Dereham. But we visited Swaffham as the “main town”! Beautiful area. My wife must like it too as she uttered the rare phrase (usually reserved for Italy) “…I could live around here”!!

    Small world.
    Glad Ollie ok too.

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    1. We live just outside Dereham. (3 miles) It’s a larger town than Swaffham, but has less character. Where did you stay around here?
      I go to Swaffham for the Vet, as I ‘followed’ our Vet there, when he opened a new practice. Ollie is much better after just a couple of days on the tablets.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  7. Thanks for including these regular stories including Ollie, Pete. I’m sure I’m not the only reader who has gotten attached to him.

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    1. Ollie is the mainstay of this blog, Pete. He has fans all over the world. 🙂
      Just type ‘Ollie’ into the search box here, and you will discover lots of his ‘adventures’.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. He has shown an improvement in just 24 hours, so it’s always worth taking him. I am always surprised it doesn’t put him off going out in the car, but he is always keen to jump in anytime. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  9. Poor boy. My dogs Chaka and Moxie hate going to the vet too.They become very needy and clingy. My cats are funny. I can barely get them into their carrier to take them. They hiss and claw and contort their bodies to avoid going in. But after being poked and prodded they waltz right in, no problem.

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    1. Hi Cindy! Nice to see you back… I have been posting all sorts of things, and really missed you!
      (And your thoughts and opinions, naturally)
      Best wishes, Pete. x

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  12. It’s a good thing that you stopped to let Ollie have a bit of ‘play time’ with his buddies. Maybe next time the vet trip won’t create such anxiety because he’ll look forward to seeing his friends afterward?

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    1. He spent a long time in the Vet when he was very young, enduring a series of eye operations. When I had a cat to take to the Vet, I used to have to wear oven gloves, to stop her ripping my hands open! 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  19. I’m supposed to have my head down in horrid work, but when I see Ollie’s name, everything else is put aside. I’m sorry about his distress – and yours – but the boy looks handsome as ever. The labradors and terriers appearing on cue prove again what a good canine support network there is out there. Cats, on the other hand……XX

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  21. All very familiar. Who knew there would be so much guilt and concern to feel over the emotional ups and downs of loving a dog. We have a Chinese Crested Powderpuff and even to tell people what breed he is causes embarrassment to a guy born in Texas. Easier to let people believe he is a poodle and a female poodle at that. Add the fact that he is three legged, after breaking a leg while we were combing burrs out of his feet, the guilt and concern for his moment to moment happiness is far greater than what I felt for my own children.

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    1. I can imagine how guilty you felt breaking his leg, Charlie. As for the breed, we have a huge guy here who walks a miniature chihuahua. He always tells everyone it is his daughter’s dog! 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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