Loving Your Pet Sometimes Means Being a Jerk

Loving your pet means lots of great things. It means walks and romps and treats and snuggles and trips to the beach.

“Woohoo, love your pet!”

But loving your pet also means some not great things. It means baths and nail clipping and teeth cleaning.

“Whoa, whoa, let’s slow down on this whole ‘love” thing.”

Simply put, loving your pet means sometimes you have to be a jerk. I can think of no better example of this than trips to the vet. A great vet is an invaluable asset, but unfortunately the vet is where some of a pet’s most traumatic experiences occur.

Especially after her spay, Penny is firmly anti-vet. Nevertheless, when I suspected she had a UTI I played the “bad guy” and brought her in. Penny didn’t make me feel horrible about it or anything…

“How could you do this to me again?”

Trips to the vet are an exercise in delayed gratification. No fun while it’s happening, but extremely gratifying after the fact.

Speaking of which, we practiced some delayed-gratification in the waiting room to distract Penny

I’m hopeful a relentless torrent of treats will help Penny find a more positive association with the vet and the great staff working there

The results of my efforts so far? 

“You’re a jerk. And everyone who works here is a jerk.”

The worst was when I had to give Penny up for a couple minutes for a quick blood draw. I swear she left claw marks in the tile as she tried to drag herself back to me.

They should really add a bullet point for “big babies”

When Penny came dashing back into the room you would have thought she won the treat jackpot at a slot machine.

The treats were spilling out of my hands faster than she could devour them

The good news is a simple ten day course of antibiotics should have Penny feeling right as rain. The better news is when I take Penny with me when I leave the vet she immediately regards me as her as her savior and hero.

Yes, I sometimes have to be a jerk, but I sleep easy knowing it’s for the best.

And they sleep easy because…well, they always sleep easy

Unfortunately, I can’t explain to the dogs why I have to be a jerk some days. But luckily, as dogs always do, Eko and Penny are always willing to forgive my momentary rudeness. In exchange for a few extra treats, of course.