We took Ellie for her first vet visit last week, or her first one as an official member of the family, but for some reason she didn’t see it as the beautiful rite of passage I’d imagined. She sat on my lap in the waiting room, ignoring Boopy, the African Grey parrot (even though he was whistling and banging on his noisemakers to get her attention). She also ignored the enormous German Shephard puppy on the floor, and the little apricot poodle on the bench across from us, and just sat there and shook.
Boopy, giving me the eye
She didn’t need the kind of restraints Cricket generally needs during her exam, though she was clearly tempted to pee on the table. The vet took blood and gave shots and added another tag to her collar (we’d gotten her a blingy grey collar, and red flower name tag by then). Then the vet answered my questions: about a grain-free diet (because we’d been told that Havanese dogs need a grain-free diet, but the vet said no way, research has shown heart trouble resulting from unnecessarily grain-free diets); and about wet versus dry food (both fine, to Ellie’s great disappointment, since she was hoping for a prescription for whole roasted chickens). And then he said that Ellie would need a dental cleaning, as soon as possible. Eek! He showed me the plaque at her gum line, just to make sure I got the message, that only bad dog mommies would leave those teeth uncleaned. We paid for the visit but I didn’t schedule the dental procedure right away, because, one, anesthesia scares the crap out of me, especially for someone as small as Ellie, and two, the cost of the cleaning would start at $400 and go up from there depending on the seriousness of her dental situation.
Ellie, very concerned
My last experience with anesthesia was with Butterfly’s emergency hernia surgery, a few months before she died, when, with her heart disease, she had less than a fifty percent chance of survival. I tried to talk myself through the differences between the two situations, but flashbacks were inevitable. Of course, I decided to go through with it anyway. I trust Cricket and Ellie’s vet, both on what he thinks my girls need for their health, and on what is safe or unsafe for them. And I want Ellie to have her teeth for as long as possible. Miss Butterfly made do with the teeth she had, but I know she would have enjoyed having more teeth to chew her food with.
Miss B
So, a week later, we took the food and water bowls off the floor at nine PM, because Ellie had to be empty for anesthesia. And no one got treats after the first walk of the day the next morning, because I was afraid that if I gave one to Cricket, Ellie would wrestle her to the ground and grab it out of her mouth. She likes food, a lot. Cricket stared at the treat shelf for an extra ten seconds, to let me know that I was making a horrible mistake, but she actually gave up pretty quickly and both girls went back to sleep.
The girls, resting with Grandma
The real problem came when I went to put Ellie’s leash on, and Cricket pushed in front of her and started jumping at me, looking for her own leash. Usually Cricket gets her leash on first, so clearly something was wrong. I told Cricket that she didn’t want to go to the place where Ellie was going, and that as soon as we left she’d get to eat her breakfast, but she didn’t believe me. I had to pick her up and hand her off to Grandma, so that I could get Ellie out the door.
Ellie sat calmly in the backseat of the car, and then sat by my feet in the waiting room until the vet tech arrived to take her to the back. She even made sure to give me nose kisses before she was taken away, and that helped a little bit. Well, it helped me.
We got the call about an hour later that she was already out of the anesthesia and awake and no teeth had to be extracted. I’d been ready for a day of worrying, that I’d never see her again, or that the procedure would get complicated and she’d lose ten teeth and maybe a limb, but here they were calling and saying, nope, all good. We weren’t allowed to pick her up until three o’clock in the afternoon though, and, since I couldn’t think straight, I ended up doing a jigsaw puzzle for the next few hours, until we were finally allowed to go get her.
Cricket refused to be left at home for the pickup, even though I made sure to remind her that we’d be going to the vet. She sat on my lap in the passenger seat of the car while Mom drove, and then she huddled behind my neck as we got closer to the vet’s office, and then she jumped out of the car as soon as the door was open half an inch. When we went to the front desk to tell the receptionist we were there to pick up Ellie, Cricket spoke up too, and then we heard Ellie’s little whisper bark from the back room. She’d heard our voices! She knew us! Either that or she’d been barking at every noise for the past four or five hours, but I prefer my version.
“Where’s my sister?!”
They had to do a few more things in the back room, though, and Cricket was impatient to see her sister, so she waited at the door, ignoring Boopy’s whistles and greetings. When Ellie came marching out she was perky and totally fine, and I was shocked. Even after just getting x-rays Miss Cricket always looked like she’d been hit by a truck, but here was Ellie, after anesthesia and dental scraping, looking like she was ready to party. And she knew exactly who I was, and that I was her home. How had she learned that so fast? I was sure she’d be angry at me, or think I was a stranger coming to pick her up, but no, she was blasé about the whole thing. Like, Hey Mom, are you ready to go? Anything good for lunch?
We loaded back into the car and Cricket immediately took up her spot behind my neck, letting me know that her ordeal had been much more traumatizing than anything Ellie had gone through. And Ellie was cool with it, leaning forward to see what was going on, sniffing Cricket’s nose, and licking my arm.
“Look at my beautiful teeth!”
The fact is, even in the short month they’ve been together, Cricket and Ellie have learned how to work as a team. They wake me up early to go out for their first morning walk (and then their morning treat, and breakfast, and their second morning walk). Ellie waits for Cricket to finish as much as she’s hungry for, before she gobbles up the rest of the food in Cricket’s bowl. Sometimes they elbow each other out of the way when scratchies are on offer, but they’ll accept tandem scratching. They even nap together, or at least they nap in the same place and at the same time.
When we got home, Ellie was only allowed to have a few ice cubes and still no food, but she was still fine with everything. I was wiped out and in need of a three hour nap, but she looked like she could have taken another five walks. I don’t know where her resilience comes from, or how she’s managed to adapt to life with us so quickly. She trusts me. She snuggles next to me. And she smiles. She asked to come up on the bed, and she let me look at her newly shiny teeth, and then she stretched out for a nap, a few inches away from me on one side, and a few inches away from Cricket on the other side and she fell asleep. I’m pretty sure she was dreaming about eating roasted chicken, but maybe she was just sending herself to sleep with the knowledge that she was finally home, where she belongs.
rachelmankowitz 
Ellie is a beautiful pup!
Thank you!
Rachel–I cannot wipe the smile off my face. This was such a heart warmer. Ellie loves you. You’re a good mom. She and Cricket get along. Wow–have the planets aligned or what?! Such a happy read.
Thank you!
Rachael you are a good Mom.🐾
What great news about Ellie bouncing back from the anesthesia so quickly and completely! If she will let you brush her teeth, I suggest that you try using coconut oil. I have read about doggie toothpastes containing carcinogens. And the coconut oil contains antibacterial properties. Lucy eats a big spoonful every night and the little plaque that was forming on Xena’s teeth soon disappeared when I started brushing her teeth with it. (I use a child’s toothbrush, but finger brushes are also available.)
In any case, Go Team Rachel!
Cricket is already working hard to discourage Ellie from the toothbrushing experiment. She is a very good teacher.
Ha, ha, ha,!
So happy things went so well, and especially happy to learn that everyone is settling in so easily together! This summer must be “dental summer” with vets around the continent … we got the push to have Quetzal’s teeth done, but he had quite a few extractions (poor boy). He’s managing well though … like Ellie, not much will stand in his way when it comes to eating!!! I confess he takes after his Mom a bit in that area 🤦🏼♀️ … 😂!
Ha! Miss Ellie is a champ at eating. Cricket finds it very suspicious!
gentle, cooperative troopers!
i’m not fond of being taken
to the vet, either 🙂
I’m sure Cricket will teach Ellie not to be quite so cooperative next time. She’s generous with her teaching.
So glad everything is going well! Tippy may need a cleaning soon. I dread it, but don’t think she would allow me to brush her teeth. Ellie is very cute!
There’s something to be said for being knocked out during a dental cleaning.
I wanna hear more about Boofy.
He is very handsome and graceful and welcomes everyone to the waiting room. He is also a musician. He’d make a wonderful catch, for someone.
You didn’t think I’d let that one pass? I don’t anything about this teeth stuff.
Ellie is so cute! And so funny how Cricket is responding. Some dogs take our coming and going in stride, but can get so nervous when one is going but not the other. Dexter seems to think that Comet is getting some special treats – even when he accompanies me to the laundry and the door to the garage shuts between Dexter and him. I had Dexter’s teeth cleaned at the end of last year when he was having his ear surgery. I always hope t he chewies help them with their teeth and gums..
Cricket has never had a teeth cleaning, and she’s eleven and goes to the same vet. I’ve always assumed the kibble was keeping her on track, but it’s probably just genetics.
great genes!
So good to hear that both Ellie and Cricket are feeling good, and that Ellie is in the process of rejuvenation and all the benefits of good dental care. This was a fine uplifting post.
Thank you!
Aww so sweet
Thank you!
I’m so glad that it all went well. My 10-year-old schnauzer kid needed quite a few extractions, so consider yourself lucky, Ellie! Good girl!
Here’s hoping we can put off the next cleaning for a few years.
Congratulations on your new addition!
Thank you!
They are too cute !!
Thank you!
So glad wonderful dog is doing so well after her dental treatment! It sounds like Cricket and Ellie are the best of friends lol! Is awesome! And, please keep up with your brilliant posts!😇 Reading all of these journals from different people and their furry companions always cheers me up.
Thank you!
Adorable pups! Look how happy she is to be home awe!
Thank you!
Glad the vet trip turned out well.
Me too. Thank you!
Such a lovely, heart-warming story! it’s wonderful that Ellie has settled in so well,and already loves you!
Thank you!
How wonderful that it’s all working out so great. Now you are all family.
Thank you!
They’re so cute. Dog maintenance with the vet is definitely expensive, even here in our country,
It’s crazy! But how could I say no to those little ones?
Ollie quite likes going to the Vet’s, as he gets to see and smell all the other dogs. But he sticks by me once we go through to the examination room.
(Do you have pet insurance there? We would struggle to pay all out Vet bills without it.)
Best wishes, Pete.
I never got pet health insurance for some reason. I think the plans we found were too expensive and didn’t cover the costs. Maybe I should look into it again, though.
We pay a hefty monthly cost for Ollie now, at £88, ($112) but he has had over £7,000 ($8,990) spent on him in just over six years, so it’s worth it. The premiums started at £32 a month, but kept going up every time we claimed.
Wow!
Oral hygiene is essential for a healthy pet. Without it, a dog is susceptible to all kinds of problems, the least of which is the loss of teeth. Left untreated, bacteria introduced by lack of good dental care can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, kidneys or liver. Pet insurance (depending on the carrier and plan) may be a viable option for future care. Glad everything worked out so well for Miss Ellie. 💗
Thank you!
Home is a wonderful place and I’m glad Ellie found hers. BTW home is not always a place sometimes it’s a “who” and that seems to be the case with Eliie and you.
Thank you!
I work with dogs for a living, but even knowing the importance of my girls getting a dental and the unlikelihood of something going wrong, I too get nervous about anesthesia. My girls are my babies and it’s me being a protective mom. Also, dogs are just so wonderful, they just know who their people are. When I rescued Lillith, within a little time she knew I was her mom; it’s incredible how resilient and how open to love dogs are. Thank you for sharing this, it was beautiful!
Thank you!
Lovely post Rachel. Doggie dental care here is expensive, and Maggie has had hers done twice. Her problem is that she doesn’t chew, not even her toys or hide chews. She’s lost a front tooth, but that fell out under anaesthetic so we weren’t charged for it. I”m so pleased Ellie has settled in so well. ❤ ❤
Thank you! Miss Ellie has discovered the joys of chewing on random things, so maybe that will put off the dentist for a while.
Hopefully that’s a good thing and she doesn’t set to on something she shouldn’t!
My opinion is that Ellie was afraid (going to the cleaning) that she was being taken back to somewhere and left again. When you showed up to get her again, she ‘knew’ she was safe and had found her a home. $400 seems a LOT for a teeth cleaning. Wow. My condolences, but I’m glad there were no extractions involved!
I’m so glad she knows where home is.
Thank you for sharing about Ellie’s teeth cleaning. Both our dogs need it and I am so nervous about them being put under. I’m guilty of projecting my experiences on them I think plus it is very expensive if it isn’t part of your wellness plan. It’s getting to the point I almost feel like you should be able to add your pets to your human health plan!
I definitely thought no they should be covered by human health insurance, as long as they don’t have to go to the same doctors I go to. They tend to suck.
I’m so glad you’ve found such a beautiful little girl for your family!
Thank you!
You are obviously a good “fur-mom”. 🙂
Thank you!
Glad things went good for Ellie. As Anna Waldherr said and I agree you’re a good fur-mom
Thank you!
So glad to see you, Ellie, Cricket, and your mom have formed a family unit so quickly. I guess it was ordained that you not get another dog soon after Butterfly’s passing, but rather wait until your life path crossed Ellie’s, or as I’d rather think, Butterfly had a chance to pick out someone who would understand and accommodate Cricket’s quirks, as it seems she has. ( and unbelievably quickly!)
Butterfly did such a great job!
I will have to get my act together and think about getting Benji to the Vet for the same reason. His teeth are not too bad but they probably could do with being checked over and cleaned. He’s had his Parvo injection, so that’s ok for this area.
I only did it because the vet insisted, otherwise I would have pretended the plaque wasn’t there. Too scary.
Yay! Great that the new family member is truly part of the family 🙂 I agree, grain free diets are not the best for dogs. There are many diet fads for humans and pets out there but your vet is the best source of info on that. I’m happy you got Ellie’s teeth taken care of and she did so well with anesthesia! Happy, happy blog!
Thank you! Miss Ellie is such a little sweetheart! I thought she was going to be angry or depressed or not recognize me, but she was just happy to be back with her family.
Ellie is a sweet trooper! Great story, Rachel.
Thank you!
So glad it went without a hitch and even better than you had imagined!
Thank you! Me too!
I love this story! Ellie is home, where she belongs, with you, Cricket and grandma. Family. 🙂
Thank you!
My dog Teddy loved to go to the vet despite all the indignities they performed on him. All I had to do was say, “Time to go to the vet,” and he’d jump in the car. He never gave them a hard time,either, and the vet called him a gentleman. They never recommended a teeth cleaning, though.
Teddy is clearly a magical creature!
first, I am SO glad your vet is aware of the whole grain free issue! Second, I’m so proud of Miss Ellie for doing so well. Third, I’m so proud of YOU for the way you’ve accepted her into your family. Maverick says I can’t count and it should be “pirst, fird and sebbendee sebbinth.” Ah, how much we learn from our puppies!
Thank you! Miss Ellie did great, much better than I would have done.
I always find I’m more stressed at the vet’s office than either Max – till the last few months – or Maverick. But right now, everything is a party to Maverick, even getting shots! 🙂 I love Miss Ellie, by the way.
Thank you! Miss Cricket refuses to be outdone; she’s anxious enough for all of us.
She is so cute I love dogs. I have a border collie called ‘Colin’ it would mean so much to me if you could share my blogs xx
Thank you!
Love the orientation!
Sweet, I’m a sucker for a good dog story.
Me too!
Cute pup💕
We’re so glad the procedure went well: it’s truly amazing how resilient dogs can be! Pip and the boys
Thank you!
Ellie is such a cutie…glad to hear the fur kids are getting along nicely!
Thank you!
I’m so happy to know that Cricket and Ellie are going on well together. The anesthesia thing worries me, also, when it comes to medical/dental procedures. We are more diligent with using the anti-plaque spray with our Scampers. Some of our previous dogs had plaque, but no tooth decay, for which we count ourselves lucky. Enjoyed your story about the vet visit. Is nice!
Thank you!
Such a beautiful family you have!
Thank you!
Wonderful to see Ellie is settling in well and that both girls are getting along quickly!!
Thank you!
Poor Ellie! I’m the same at the dentist! So glad she has cricket to look after her 😊
Beautiful
Thank you!
You and Ellie did fantastic even though it took alot out of you. This was haed for you but you conquered this demon.
Jean
Thank you!
Well done, Rachel for getting through this. Every time we make it through a hurdle, it makes us stronger and gives us a bit more encouragement when we face hurdles in the future.
xx Rowena