Something about this time of year really brings out the tough dogs.  I've barked at length about Enrico; the plucky Chihuahua that would not allow the I'm-going-to-bite-you-in-half actions of an angry Rottweiler slow him down.  Enrico showed up again today to have the plastic tube taken out of his arm.  He was not very excited at the thought of being back at our clinic, less still at being held while the humans worked on him.  Enrico remained the perfect gentleman.  Although he was thoroughly tired of being handled and held, he obliged all requests and even wagged his tail whenever his name was said, as if to say "I will do as you ask, just don't stop petting me."  Once again, mother bestowed the title of "dog of steel" with a look of awe, satisfaction and pride we don't often get to see.

The second tough-as-toenails dog was Gracie.  Gracie was a 3 year old, 40 lb cur dog -- as her dad referred to her.  "Nothing but an outdoor dog really" he began "she's carried a limp for about a month now, ever since she got loose from her chain and came back the next morning all scraped up."  Patient Pam couldn't hear another word of Gracie's story.  Pam came to the back and then barked and howled and rolled her eyes at the thought of Gracie living for a month unable to use her leg.  And a month in people time is a whole lot longer for dogs, I thought -- although it was a thought I kept to myself lest I anger Pam even more.  The only thing scarier than an angry Pam is an angry mother....and believe me, no one wants to see either one!
Mother went in the room to look at Gracie. She was impressed by the calm, polite dog who was disguising the pain of a shriveled leg bravely.   Mother had Gracie stay with us to get a pinch of happy sleep medicine.  Soon she was snoring away and was carried off to the humming table for her black and white pictures.  One look and mother knew instantly what was wrong, "Her left hip is out of it's socket.  This dog has had a dislocated hip for a month!"  Patient Pam stayed silent and just shook her head.
After Gracie had woken up, mother went over the findings with Gracie's dad;  "She's going to need surgery to fix this.  The hip has been out of place too long to try to just put it back in, it wouldn't stay."  Mother was looking for some sense of agreement from Gracie's dad but none was coming.  His only question was, "And what will happen if we do nothing, will she always be painful?'   "Yes, she will" mother answered, as Gracie hopped back to her dad on her three good legs.  Patient Pam did manage to convince Gracie's dad to take some pain medication for her, which was a small victory of it's own.  Unable to jump into her dad's truck by herself her father carried her, but instead of a seat in the cab, she went into a cage in the bed of the truck.  I didn't even know you could ride outside of car like that.  Gracie was one tough girl. I really hope that I never have to be brave like that!