HERE is the QE1 collar F just took off, which the vet assures me he MUST wear till the incision heals over... he is anxiety-licking not only the incision but anywhere he can reach... he was already licking the incision (and the shaved IV place) IN the collar, before it came off....

So... I punted. Not gonna trank and drive him for a new collar, not gonna make him go untranked, nononono... maybe if he doesn't settle she will send trank home? I'll leave THAT call to His Man. He's a hexpert in dealing with medical peeps/around corners and red tape.


So I took the gauze OUT of the QE1 and ran his wider, flat nylon collar thru the loops that hold it to the gauze tie they sent him home in (TOO silly BTW), and fastened it snugly under his chin (up where a Gentle Leader collar would ride), and made it tight enough to keep him from turning and trying to lick but loose enough for him to eat and drink and sleep in....

Which I can easily remove for short periods when we can hold his head, on-leash, and distract him with TV hockey and such (and ear rubs from the collars irritating!), and to eat and drink unencumbered if he gets with the program...

Because his chief joy as noted elsewhere is to GET WITH THE PROGRAM.

He had almost learned not to lick, with enough squirts of cold water and gentle-firm requests to STOP THAT. But he couldn't hep hisseff and he actually thrust his head into the newly re-manufactured collars in gratitude. And is once again fast asleep and dreaming the stress away....

He DID come into the scary screen room while I puddle-sat for a bit, and did enjoy being hand-fed his first real mouthfuls in the time since they sent him home.... so I can put him back in there later for a cool, breezy break....

He's not too sick or post-op to eat, he just gets finicky when he's worried.

In the meantime I had "urgent" ministry stuff I let go for the day, and a missing cat that lurked off prolly to die.....

But I'm fine, really I am! The fear is-- it's a reminder how GOOD I am at it and good ole God always uses whatever I'm good at and willing to do..... so, more AFGOs ahead, lovely.

~Susan