It’s that time of the month again.

I have made an appointment with the vet for Penny’s injection and also to collect a load more tablets.  This is the only time Penny goes near the car so now she makes a point of not going near it, if you get my drift.  Bad associations and all that.

So cometh the hour  [in actual fact an hour from now] I shall retrieve her lead from the car, return to the house, put Penny’s harness on her [which used to be a joyous act] and drag her unceremoniously to the car.  I’m not looking forward to it.  She’s indifferent now but only because I haven’t told her yet.

The old arthritis comes an goes.  I notice she frequently walks slightly sideways like one of those Lipizzaner horses which is weird.  For a dog who is supposed to be in pain she spends a hell of a lot of her time wandering around the house or garden.

The only time the arthritis really causes a problem is when a change in altitude is involved.  She doesn’t like steps and hates jumping onto the couch or my bed.  This is unfortunate as both are very important Penny-places.  She tends to fling herself at the task, get just the front legs up all right but then slide very ungracefully back onto the floor, usually onto her back.  This miffs her somewhat and she sulks for a minute or two and will then jump happily up like nothing was amiss.

She’s still pissing all over the place and dropping turns whenever the fancy takes her.  I have laid in a vast stock of paper towels and have become quite adept at finding poo before I step on it.  She’s hard fucking work.  And expensive.  Close to €200 a month just for the vet?

But she’s worth it.