Three-Legged Pete
Donkeys will be donkeys. And when they hurt they're cattle dogs.
What I mean is...donkeys are a stoic bunch, like cattle dogs. So when they hurt they don't tell you until it's really ouchy. And you say (like to a small child), "Why didn't you TELL me you hurt?"
They look at you with those big brown, liquid eyes. How can you scold them at a time like that?
Pete started going almost 3-legged Saturday afternoon. I put a perfectly sound, 4-legged Pete in the corral at 6:30 a.m. Came home at 2:30 p.m. to a limping Pete.
I mixed his anti-inflammatory medicine with applesauce and squirted it into his mouth. "Oh YUM," he said. "May I have more?" Every twelve hours buddy.
Dr. Bob said to do an Epsom salts soak twice a day or a poultice. We started soaking but changed over to the poultice. It's quite the project and requires: a donkey, two people, a spatula and some ichthammol ointment (say that three times real fast!), Vetrap, patience, scissors, sheet cotton, more patience and the mother-of-all-sticky-stuff, duct tape.
We're keeping our fingers and toes crossed the abscess shows it's ugly self soon and Pete can start being just a donkey again. (Besides, cattle dogs don't have the cool ears donkeys do.)
The room service hasn't been too shabby though. You shout your order.
And dinner is served!
6 comments:
Love this little guy! Hope he feels better soon.
Thanks! Me too, cuz it's hurting him and killing me to watch him hop around. ;-)
Poor Pete. I would tell you about my lack of first-hand experience dealing with hoof abcesses, but saying such stuff out loud is never a good thing so I won't. I will say that the desert climate is very kind to the hooves of our equine friends and Pete will definitely appreciate it as soon as he gets here. Meantime, give him a big hug for me.
Love the call for room service. My last hotel needed that - they never picked up the phone. :)
Hope he is on the mend quick!
Poor Pete!! In think he deserves a little extra kennel corn...and lots of extra loving.
awwww, Pete. I'll say a prayer for quick healing! Although....he may fake being lame since he's getting such premier room service!
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