Dogs on Drugs

Lilly had another nearly perfect week. Does that mean the meds are helping? I’d like to hope so. Here are the details. …

People often tell me that Lilly is lucky to have me. They believe that the average dog owner would have given up on her after just a few panic attacks. They also believe (dare I say,
know) that experienced handlers would have rehomed or retired her and began again with another dog. And, at least, one handler teased me this week that perhaps I’m the one in need of drugs (as in,
you crazy lady for still trying to get this nutty dog back to performance status). Maybe they’re all right. …

I’m trying to keep my hopes up that the meds will help. I’m testing Lilly in different settings to see if she seems any different. Here’s what happened this week.
…

This was not a particularly good week. I’m sorry to say. Then, again, maybe it’s a focus thing. Just like in the I need three hands entry earlier this week, maybe all the things I
reward fade in my memory, but all the things that go wrong, I remember. …

It’s probably still too early to tell if the meds are making a difference. But, other than Lilly showing some disinterest in playing this week, here’s a report on how she did in
different settings. …

I’m trying not to worry too much, but as Lilly heads into her second full week on medication, I may be seeing some unexpected shifts in her behavior. It’s just now hitting me — what
if solving Lilly’s anxiety in public, in agility, means giving up some of what I love about her at home? …

Just now, Lilly came and pressed her narrow chin into my thigh. I’m madly typing away on a note for an editor, but Lilly persisted. Then, almost like she sent me a message, my head went
BING, and I realized that I didn’t give her medicine when we got back from our walk. I guess that shows I’m not yet fully in the habit. …

Last Thursday, I drove to my local big-name pharmacy to pick up Lilly’s anti-depressants. I had a long list of errands, so I swung through the drive-through. One of the 3 pharmacy people I could see through the huge window approached. She picked up the phone on her side so that she could speak to and hear me. I gave her Lilly’s name and the name of the veterinary hospital that called in the prescription. She disappeared to pull the bag from the shelves, then approached the two other women, said something, and all three laughed.