A post should appear each Sunday!

Sunday September 19th 2021

Isis’s skin has been much better this week, and the scratching much reduced. Her skin still looks pinker than normal though, is hot to the touch, and she still scratches several times a day. She also continues to nibble and lick her front legs. This has always been a stress response. Clearly, she is not happy with herself.

She’s not had to wear her plastic collar this week, but tonight I put it on her to prevent her from worrying her legs.

She falls asleep almost immediately. She doesn’t wake up even when I place tonight’s tablet, wrapped in a tiny bit of cheese, literally under her nose. We won’t panic though: she’s just found it!

O., her vet said that he thought she would need to continue with the medication after this first course is completed. I’ll ring the practice to discuss the situation tomorrow. Bev told me on Friday that the Apoquil worked well for Nancy, who has had summer allergies for years. Let’s hope that another course will sort Isis out.

This week has been a difficult one for Isis. In addition to her dermatitis, she’s had to put up with the capricious behaviour of the weather. I look at the forecast each day and try to take Hairy One out during a settled period. But even though we leave the house under an Isis-friendly still, grey sky, within minutes of our arrival, it seems, the clouds part and there’s a blast of bright sunlight.

This terrifies poor Isis. Her cheerfully elevated tail disappears between her legs, her ears flatten and she begins to slink off towards the car park.

On top of all this, the roofers are in her garden for two days so her territory doesn’t smell as it should. Returning from light traumas in the park to invasive smells at home is very unsettling for a dog.

Usually, as soon as I take off her harness and lead, she is confident that she’s not going to be bathed and she trots happily into the hall; but this week she stays in the porch with me while I change my shoes, and won’t enter the house until I do.

Another nerve wracking phenomenon is the puppy epidemic. No sooner does one begin to relax and enjoy the scents, than some interfering four-month-old fluffy little git rushes up to leap, yap and snuffle around one’s paws.

On Friday, Rufus and Nancy rush up to greet us. As always, Rufus desires immediate full frontal muzzle canoodles with Isis, while Nancy elects to check out what Human may have to offer in the way of treats.

Although the initial greeting startles her, Isis is obviously pleased to be with her friends. She always seems more relaxed and confident in their company.

When we walk back down to the park through the orchard, Isis lingers to investigate all the new smells. Meanwhile, Bev, Rufus and Nancy, who are about a hundred yards ahead are making the acquaintance of a stranger and his human.

When they draw level with us, the dog, who is lively and inquisitive, trots up to sniff Isis. He is a sweet dog and is quite gentle around her. She, of course, cringes and backs towards the hedge. He is a rescue dog from Romania, his person tells me, and has been with her for over two years.

Suddenly, he bursts into a exubriant gallop, races past us back down to Rufus and Nancy, turns on a pinpoint, zips back up past Isis, and back down again. He does this three or four times. It’s a daily routine, his person tells me, apparently just for the pleasure of it. It’s lovely to watch.

But every time he thunders past Isis, she retreats further and further into the hedge.

Rufus looks up, realises that she is afraid and runs back up the slope to her. He nuzzles her face very, very gently and she slowly emerges.

(The image below isn’t a new one. I’ve posted it before. And no, Rufus doesn’t wear his mudcoat at this time of year.

There are two reasons for using it: 1. I love the look of concern on Rufus’s face, and 2. I have to get a new camera card before I can upload any more images.)

Don’t worry Isis. I’m here.

It’s good to have friends at times like these!

Isis came from Aeza cat and dog rescue in Aljezur, Portugal. For information about adopting an animal from the centre, contact kerry@azea.org or go to http://www.dogwatch.co.uk.