Ollie And Our Holiday

~ beetleypete

On Saturday week, we are going on our long-awaited seven-day holiday. Nothing too exciting, exactly the same place we went to last year, during the same week. But it wil be nice to be somewhere different, and in sight of a beach too.

Ollie is coming along of course. Ever since we got him, we have always taken a holiday where dogs are welcome, so he never gets left behind. With Covid-19 still very much on our minds, our accommodation is self-catering, and the small seaside place we are travelling to will be quiet from the Monday, as the kids go back to school.

Less than 100 miles from Beetley, the drive to the Lincolnshire coast is not arduous, and we know the area well enough to find enough things to do for a week. Ollie loved it there last year, as the lodge has a porch at the front. I put his bed there and he sat outside with us, able to watch the world go by. Well, not the ‘world’, but the other residents of the cabins and the hotel they are based behind.

With the holiday imminent, Ollie has begun to shed his fur in spectacular amounts. Everything we have is covered in fur, and we are stuck on a merry-go-round of dusting, vacuuming, and washing clothes. And to put the tin hat on it, he has developed an ear infection, as well as a skin infection on the skin exposed by the loss of fur.

He is due to go to the groomer the day before we leave on the holiday. A good grooming and shampoo should deal with the worst of the moulting and skin problems, but we have to tackle that ear infection before we leave Norfolk. So he is off to the Vet on Thursday, to see what can be done.

The treatments that have worked in the past, steroids and antibiotics, now make him breathless as he seems to have developed an allergic reaction to them. So we are hoping our regular Vet can come up with something to help poor Ollie.

Otherwise, we might all have a miserable holiday.

81 thoughts on “Ollie And Our Holiday”

    1. He tried something new. A gel containing antibiotics that goes directly in the ear and stays there dissolving slowly. It’s very thick, and can’t be shaken out by Ollie. One tube squirted in this week, and I have to go back next Thursday for the second dose. Seems to have reduced the heat in and around his ear by 50% already, so fingers crossed.
      Best wishes, Pete.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

                1. It seems to have cleared it up in three days. No head-shaking, and the ear feels cooler to touch too. I hope that once he has the second dose next week, that will be the end of the infection. (For now)

                  Liked by 1 person

                  Reply

    1. He had the first of two ‘deep gel’ treatments in his ear this afternoon, Jennie. He also got some special canine painkillers in case it is hurting him. Back next week for the second squirt of gel into his ear, and that should hopefully sort him out. He has been sleeping since he got back and ate a big dinner. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. That dog is lucky to have you, Pete. Hoping he gets right before you go so he can enjoy the different surroundings. We almost always bring the two Labs if we are doing a car trip. It’s a bit of a hassle, but they are part of the pack. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Great post 🙂 I too hope things go well not only for you and your family, but Ollie as well. If he does not feel well, then he will have a miserable holiday as you so rightly stated. Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. As a lifelong dog owner, I feel your pain. I’m betting things go well and that you have a marvelous time. Like you, I am not taking the little pleasures of life for granted.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Oh no! I hope you find a solution to Ollie’s ear infections. I hate the thought of our beloved pets suffering unnecessarily. Have they considered putting tubes in his ears to keep them clear? They do that with kids that get chronic ear infections. I truly hope you get to the chance to relax and enjoy your holiday with Ollie in the clear. Best wishes Pete, C

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. The main option is removal of the ear drum by surgery. Sharpei dogs have unusually-shaped eardrums that make them prone to infections. I didn’t really want to put Ollie through more surgery after he has had so many operations, but it may come to that.
      Best wishes, Pete.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  11. Oh dear…poor Ollie. An ear infection. So painful. Vets, it seems, at least in my experience, are very good at putting together concoctions, or potions would be a better word for it. I bet they’ll get him in shape before your vacation. I hope so. Your destination sounds lovely.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Pam. The Vet is going to have to think of something new tomorrow, as the regular treatments Ollie has had for years now no longer work. Fingers crossed he is a lot better before our holiday on the 4th.
      Best wishes, Pete.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. We go on holiday at the time the kids go back to school, to enjoy a quieter time. Ollie has usually lost his old fur by now, but the ‘non-summer’ here has changed all that with strange temperatures.
      Best wishes, Pete.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. I am sorry to hear about Ollie’s woes, Pete. I suppose they are your woes too. My cat missed me a lot while I was away and has spent the last two days getting under my feet and slinking up behind me like a ghostly shadow.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  27. Pete, I hope the vet can sort out Ollie’s ear infection before your departure. it is hard when any member of the family is out of sorts – especially on holiday. After a long 18 months enduring the pandemic, you all deserve a nice relaxing getaway.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Maggie. We want to all have a nice relaxing time, and not have to worry about Ollie. He can’t help it of course, but the timing is really bad.
      (I posted your First Line story this morning.)
      Best wishes, Pete.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a reply to Sarada Gray Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.