Annual vet visit

Our one year anniversary in France is rapidly approaching. One of the first things we did upon arrival last August was take Bailey to a vet. It was actually a requirement, within a week of arrival, and we had found the vet and scheduled the appointment on our scouting trip in April, 2025, well before our actual move. It's been almost a year since that initial vet visit so we scheduled Bailey's annual check up for today.

It was after our morning walk at the Citadel and I think we'll schedule any future visits for the same time because it was the lowest stress vet visit Bailey has ever had. Both the receptionist and the vet offered treats and got kisses. Bailey went up on the scale and sat down without hesitation. She only needed two vaccines, lepto and kennel cough, so that was easy and she was good for the exam. The vet said her weight was perfect and remarked how muscular she was. 

I had come over with a year's supply of both Heartguard and Frontline. On the vet's recommendation from our initial visit, I've been giving Bailey a dose of Drontal every three months since we got here to handle any intestinal parasites that she might pick up as a result of dietary indiscretion that she may indulge in on our hikes. It's available without a prescription here. Today I got a three month supply of Simparica for fleas and ticks and a refillable prescription for more. The vet said that they don't really have an issue with heartworms in this part of France. 

It was a very easy and successful vet visit. Bailey got everything she needs to comply with the requirements of the boarding kennel for the next year. 

Hanging out at the dog park this morning.

There were two small dogs there when we arrived this morning. The one kissing up to Bailey is a puppy who really wanted to be her friend. Bailey was tolerant but not really interested. The little guy on the left was named Eclair ("Flash" or "Lightning" in English) and he was surprisingly fast on those little legs. Bailey bounced around and played with him a little bit, slowing her pace so give him a chance.

Bailey's dining table.

These signs are posted along some of the interior canals at the Citadel, warning of the potential presence of dangerous bacteria in the water due to the summer heat. Bailey doesn't go in the water but she has been known to stop for a drink. I'm watching her closely now and call her away from the water if she goes close to it. 

Bailey has a human friend that we see very often at the dog park. She gave Bailey this disc to play with.

Waiting at the vet's office today.

Laying in the sun in front of an open window at home today. This is the last open window day for a while; it's supposed to get hot again tomorrow so we'll be running our air conditioner.

These last two pictures are off topic, but I've been wanting to share them. Before we left Virginia, I scattered the ashes of all the dogs we've owned over the years, including a number of foster dogs who died in our care. There were quite a few of them, but I don't have an exact count. Although I scattered the ashes, (some in our pasture, others along the trails at Pleasant Grove), I kept and brought along the collars of each of those dogs. To display them I got a curtain rod and hung it in one of our windows. I quite like the effect.

This is a view from below of all the tags and other bling on the collars.

The rod turned out to be surprisingly heavy.