Doctor O

A Trip to the Vet

Every couple of months we make the trip upriver about 16 miles, to see Dr. Occhipinti, or Doctor “O” for those who can't properly pronounce his name, (which is almost everyone.)

Taz and Squeak seem to know ahead of time what's coming, and all of a sudden they get hard to find. Taz usually tucks in under the computer desk and Squeak slides down behind a cushion on the couch.

It's a lot like when Carol starts drawing water in the bathtub or even thinks the word “Bath,” Taz can magically transform his 19 pounds into 91 pounds and it's all I can do to pick him up. Squeak just starts quivering like she's on a vibrator. Once Carol's through bathing them it's straight for the back door and out into the backyard to find something stinky to roll around in, their favorite odor being, “Eau De Bird Poop.”

Doctor O neutered Taz and Squeak when they were puppies and they've never forgiven him. Now he just checks them out, trims their nails and gives them whatever shots they need, but you'd think they were getting major surgery done. As soon as we start slowing down at Dr. O's driveway they start objecting and the only way to get them through the doorway into the office is to carry them. I tried dragging Taz inside by his leash once and he left claw marks all the way and then pooped in front of the door just to make his point.

Dr. O's wife Linda and their daughter have a WWE professional wrestling hold they put on Taz, it's kind of a cross between a full nelson and a sleeper hold that keeps him still while Dr. O trims his nails and does whatever he does to Taz's butt. I notice Taz's eyes get big for a few seconds while he's doing it, though. Squeak just makes a lot of noise and vibrates.

It usually only takes a few minutes per dog and before you know it we're on our way home, sighs of relief coming from the back seat, until next time.