I haven’t written about Leia In a while but we learned of a situation late Saturday night. My Mom brushed her with the mitts I ordered for her and on Sunday, we noticed that she had bare patches of her coat that showed her skin. My Mom said that it looked like mange. When she said that, this song immediately popped into my head:
You know, because when he stops at the bar in Gatlinburg he sees, “The dirty, mangy dog that named me Sue!” I thought it was pretty gross if she had mange which because of our virtual appointment on Monday, she does NOT! The vet told us to begin the flea and tick regiment and to bathe her twice a week with an oatmeal-based shampoo.
Leia has her first appointment with the vet at the end of the month. The vet said that we should do that and she will determine what is going on at her appointment. She thinks that she may have sensitive skin. My Dad had sensitive skin and hearing that made me think of him. That and the Johnny Cash song!
My Mom bathed her on Monday evening and the vet said to wait 24 hours before we administer the flea and tick medicine. Last night, she was going to put the medicine on her back, between her shoulder blades. Neither one of us have ever done this before and being in the chair, I didn’t think I could be much help.
Leia was NOT all about staying still so my Mom laid her across my lap after I turned the chair off. Her front paws were on the outside of my right armrest and her back paws were on the outside of the left armrest by the control panel. My Mom stood just behind her to keep her steady and Leia was squirming a whole bunch.
it surprised me that I began speaking softly to her to calm her down and pet her head. She kind of started to calm down a little until I rested my right cheek on her head and continued reassuring her in a soft voice. She smelled good because of her bath the night before. She relaxed then as my Mom continued putting the medicine on her back.
Her coat looks shinier and she’s not scratching as much but she will get another bath tomorrow. I think with the administration of the medicine that we finally have bonded, more than I think we have because with me being in the chair, I haven’t really gotten able to get close to her like I did on Tuesday.