Miss Ruby’s Big Vet Day
Miss Ruby’s Big Vet Day
It has been a few days since our last update, but Lori and I have been soaking up the downtime, truly relaxing and enjoying the slower pace of life on the road. However, life as a full-time RVer isn’t all scenic overlooks and sunsets—sometimes, it involves a 7:00 a.m. dash to the city for some much-needed maintenance on our favorite four-legged traveler, Miss Ruby.
A Grooming Revelation
If you’ve spent any time around a long-haired dachshund like Ruby, you know the hair between their toes can get a bit out of control. She was starting to look like she had pom-poms on her feet! We found a wonderful groomer right here in Ajo, Arizona, named Debbie Morrow. She was incredibly pleasant and did a fantastic job tidying Ruby up.
During the appointment, we mentioned to Debbie that we’d been keeping Ruby on a soft food diet to help her lose a little weight. Debbie pointed out something we hadn’t fully realized: soft food can lead to a quicker buildup of tartar on a dog’s teeth. She spoke so highly of a veterinarian in Glendale, Arizona—Arizona Animal Dentistry—that we decided it was time for a check-up.
The Long Day in Phoenix
Glendale is about an hour and 45 minutes from our camp in Ajo, but we got lucky. We called, and they had an opening for a physical the next day. Then, just as we were settling back in on Thursday afternoon, they called with a cancellation, which meant they could fit her in for the actual dental cleaning on Friday morning.
That meant an early start. We were pulled into Phoenix by 7:00 a.m. Friday.
For those who haven’t been through a doggy dental, they use anesthesia to keep them safe and still. While Ruby was under, the vet performed X-rays and discovered two teeth that needed to come out—one with definite decay and another that was heading that way. We also decided to have the vet remove a fatty lump on her chest that she’s had for years since she was already under.
Recovery and a Gila Bend Pitstop
We picked up a very groggy Ruby around noon. To make the most of the long trek, we met up with some friends on the way back and had a great lunch at Little Italy in Gila Bend.
By the time we got back to the camper Friday night, Ruby was still feeling the effects of the anesthesia and wasn’t interested in much. But, true to form, by 3:00 a.m. this morning, she was up and ready to go!
The Lesson of the Week: Even when you’re living the dream on the road, you still have to find the right care for your “little ones.” It makes for a long day of driving, but seeing Ruby back to her old self (with much better breath!) makes it all worth it.
Until next time,
Brian, Lori, and Miss Ruby
Soulmates Uncharted Journey
