That's what I would have been thinking if I were Socs, and if I knew what we knew that today was "oh no, not neutering day!" Yup. Socs, when you get home , I hope you'll be forgiving; it came up on us without warning, really.
Yesterday, pretty late in the day, the vet had called to make sure Socrates was coming in at 7 in the morning and that we should make sure not to feed him after 6 pm, and that they would be boarding him overnight--after the 'deed was done.' Of course they didn't call it the 'deed,' and they didn't think much of it.
But I had, a lot. I thought I'd put it off until Socrates was at least nine months (I heard that does no harm). In my heart of hearts, I didn't want him to be neutered. He's so adorable, so beautifully marked, so what if he isn't show dog material, so what if he isn’t what "they call" breeding material? Why the heck not? I saw your Dad, Socs--and he sure as heck didn't look much like breeding material to me; he was a blah kind of color and well, I also hate to say this, but he was a real roly-poly dog, way past 40 pounds, which is in Corgi poundage obese, and by all reckoning, he just liked to lie around the farmhouse and sleep, oh and eat. His name was Lucky and his mate's name was Charm (how clever), but it was Lucky I was most focused on. He had a really laid back personality that matched his portly posing; he was a sweet dog who, I guess, just got used to eating, and sleeping, and siring, You know, same old, same old!
As for neutering Socs I went through all the dumb excuses. What if he got sluggish and fat? That doesn't happen to dogs when they get neutered! It’s a myth. (And after all, just take a look that his unneutered dad!) I thought, wow, what if Socs ever had the chance to sire some pups of his own? Wouldn't they be really, really cute, a chip off the old Socs, and all. I went through all the reasons not to neuter him -- including all the silly myths I knew were myths, but couldn’t help uncovering anyway.
Well, I do know better; there are too many dogs; it's pet overpopulation, and every year I even show my students a video on pet overpopulation "Best Friends Forgotten" hosted by David Ducovny (of X-Files fame and dog spokesperson-obviously dog lover).
So now Socs isn't here. I came home tonight and knew he wouldn't be. He’s staying over at the Vets, as they had told us . We don't know why exactly, but maybe it's better--maybe we don't want to be associated with the gruesome event. Let Socs blame it on the Vet, not us. It's kind of lonely here though, good thing I do so much work for my course blogging , and blogging, and blogging...
Someone just went out to the porch and rang the bell that Socrates usually rings when he wants to be let out (he learned that all by himself, all we did was hang the bell at snout and paw height). But this time-- but it wasn't Socs ringing, just a human. Tonight I do not have to share my rice cakes, or get my socks bitten as soon as I peel them off my feet; tonight I don’t have to bring Socs out in the cold and shiver till he's done with his business; tonight I don't have decide whether or not I go to sleep early and bring him with me onto the bed and later someone else will bring him down to his crate. So, tonight's peaceful --and cheerless. Socs certainly can fill a room and make everyone in it cheery!
Tonight, all the right people are here; they are loving, and kind, and caring. They are also Socs’ favorite people, every one of us and we're all thinking he misses us but is probably sleeping it off, so he won’t have to think about where he's been and what he's missing; maybe he’s just tired out from the day’s events, anyway.
Tomorrow when he comes home, will he be different, not just in a physical way, I mean his personality? Will he nip a little less and kiss a little more—but, he was already doing that on his own! Well, the deed is done, and the vet called to say everything was fine. I hope you agree with that Socs, and don't feel any different really.
There's a bright side to all this too: Now you'll get to go and play with abandon in the dog park at the vet school property with all the other dogs off leash, and if you jump and romp, and play and get into a little trouble, at least it won't be that kind of trouble! You know, if we hadn’t had you neutered, you probably would have thought it lots of fun to pick out an award winning dachshund, or King Charles spaniel, maybe a Jack Russell, or even a lab and have your way with them. I can imagine shrieking middle aged owners telling me to get you off their little darlings, and looking at all of us in distain and horror. Well that possibility is now aborted, forever, so play to your heart's content Socrates.
I promise, I'll bring you to the dog park a lot. It'll be worth it, after all. Sleep tight, don't let the flee bugs bite, and I'll see you tomorrow!
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