Vaccinations. Their importance is clear to every pet owner. But there should be no illusions - no vaccine gives a 100% guarantee that your pet will not fall ill. However, it increases the chance of a favourable outcome of the disease many times over, if infection does occur.
I have 17 dogs and four cats. I don't need to explain that any viral infection would be a catastrophe that I can't cope with physically or financially. That's why I place a very high priority on vaccinations.
It is for this reason that once a year my house turns into, as I jokingly call it, a drug haven. Indeed, if anyone looks at my monsoon on this day, they may draw very sad conclusions about my moral character.
With 17 dogs receiving two vaccines each and four cats receiving one vaccine each. Huge amounts of used syringes and empty vials with incomprehensible labelling. Oh yes, my neighbours have a lot to think about!
Observing animals is very interesting. At first they show a keen interest in everything that happens. But then one of them realises that they are about to be injected and makes a scene. Usually we manage to vaccinate three or four dogs by this time, but then the whole scheme goes to hell, because they start hiding and resisting
No amount of coaxing or reassurance works. The dogs' collective intelligence tells them we're up to no good.
But at last the last injection has been given and the last vaccination record has been entered into the veterinary passport. We can breathe a sigh of relief: the next round is still a whole year away.
