The doctor is often more to be feared than the disease. ~Proverb
I Monkey here.
As a rule, Mama is pretty healthy. She takes extra-good care of herself, doing all those things humans are supposed to do — eat right, get enough sleep, exercise, avoid crowds of people coughing.
So it’s a Big Deal when she finally takes sick.
Especially when I Monkey am by nature so needy and, shall we say, anxious for her full attention.
All the time.
Of course, I have reason to be, having re-developed “the itchies.”
Mama thought they were gone, after the expensive vaccination Dogtur gave me a while ago. My fur was even starting to regrow.
But when I started scratching and biting my hair again in early February, Mama hauled me to Dogtur for a consultation.
Dogtur gave Mama a special spray to rub on my balding spots, along with two-and-a-half pills for me to swallow. Every day for two weeks.
You should know that I Monkey don’t do pills.
Never have. Never will.
Nope.
When Mama kneels down beside me and starts sweet talking, I clamp my jaw shut tight and give her the side-eye.
Daring her to try forcing my mouth open and shoving a pill in.
Huh.
Humans aren’t nearly as clever as little Monkeys, though, and it didn’t take long for me to train Mama to give me blobs of peanut butter every day before dinner. Cool, huh?
She thinks the peanut-y odor hides a lot of things.
Like icky pills.
Whatever, Mama. Just keep that PB coming!
But I digress.
On Super Bowl Sunday, poor Mama was feeling puny with what she thought was a stomach bug. She told me a gazillion times she didn’t feel well and I shouldn’t aggravate her.
Who, me?
She never threw up. She never coughed. She never took any medicine or consulted her doctor. But she did spend an abnormal amount of time curled up on the sofa with a blanket tucked around her.
I know that because I Monkey refused to leave her side.
Just in case she did anything interesting.
Are you ready to play yet, Mama?
By the next day, she felt fine again, before relapsing the following day; and she kept “the crud” for several days more.
When it was all said and done, she practically tore the house apart, cleaning and sanitizing everything that didn’t move. Tossing stuff into the washer and dryer. Spraying Lysol everywhere.
Yuck.
But I Monkey haven’t quit watching her. Nope, that’s a given. She didn’t realize she was getting a “watch dog” when she got me, but I take my job seriously.
I mean, it’s not like there’s much else for a pup to do on these long, cold, gray days, right?
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
awwwww. Penny and I are so sorry your mama has been sick! I can send Penny down to spell you on keeping tabs on your mama if you need help. She’s very good at noticing and commenting loudly on everything too.
Miss Dawn, I Monkey would LOVE for Pretty Penny to visit, but I think I’ve got this one. Mama’s all better now, and with the warming weather we’re having this week, she’s even taken me for walkies. So all’s good here. Still, it’s nice to know Penny could be my backup watchdog … just in case, ya know!
You are such a good dog to look after your mom so well. I hope your itchies go away soon. xo
Nice to meet you, Miss Darlene — I Monkey am usually shy around strangers until I get to know them, but maybe I won’t spook around you! Thanks for the good thoughts about my itchies — they really disturb a pup’s sleep!
I have two goofy dogs of my own and many granddogs. I think we would get along very well.
Oh, I Monkey am certain we would … I seem to gravitate toward people who love dogs!
Aw, bummer, but good job handsome boy for watching over your mama. Wren recommends Pill Poppers: https://www.greenies.com/collections/all-pill-pockets 🙂 Tasty without the mess!
Pill Poppers?? Hmm, I Monkey have never heard of these magic creations, Miss Eliza. Yes, I definitely will bring them to Mama’s attention. All those flavors, too — what a novel way to administer pills to pups like me! Thank you!
Yes, so very sorry Mama is sick. Hope Mama is back to good health. And, Monkey, it’s so sweet that you stayed by Mama’s side.
Miss Laurie, I Monkey didn’t have anything better to do so I stayed with Mama … even though she was pretty cranky and super-boring! She doesn’t do “sick” well at all. When I Monkey get sick, I much prefer to snuggle up close to Mama, but she tends to be a “touch-me-not” when she’s not feeling well. You can see how fun that would be!
Monkey, good boy! I applaud your devotion and loyalty.
Miss Laurie, I Monkey am glad *somebody* appreciates my devotion! Mama. of course, has never been a little Monkey, so she doesn’t understand how I see her as my entire world. I have to remind her of that … often!
I’m sorry to hear you’ve both been feeling poorly! I’m glad to know you’ve started enjoying peanut butter treats 😉 and hope Mama is back to her regular self!! It’s been a tough winter!
Miss Kelly, it definitely has been a tough winter. I Monkey miss my daily walkies, but Mama claims she can’t walk in ice and snow. On the positive side, we’re seeing warmer weather this week (probably a fluke), and Mama’s all better, so things are improving. And my furs are regrowing, too — woof!
Oh, Monkey, I am so sorry to read that you’re re-experiencing “the itches.” That’s can’t be fun. Sure hope they subside soon.
And I am also sorry to read about Mama’s “crud.” That can’t be fun either. She sounds a lot like me. I very rarely take ill, but when I do, it’s heavy. That’s why I’ve been taking a lot of vitamin/mineral supplements. So many people I know are sick with something or other.
Sending you and Mama LOTS of positive energy for a speedy recovery!
X to both of you!
P.S. Handsome photo of you!
Mr. Ron, thank you for the positive energy. I Monkey know that is helping. Mama’s feeling so much better now, and as long as I take the peanut butter-laced pills, my itchies improve. My dogtur said she thought my itchies were the result of me lying on my back in the yard and rolling around, but Mama assured her I don’t do that. Dogtur insisted, however, that my itchies were environmental. That’s when a light bulb went off for Mama. She knows I rub up against the trees hedging my back yard — a LOT — so she figures that’s what’s causing me to itch. But gee, that’s where all the good things hide — things like cats, rabbits, and squirrels that a little Monkey needs to chase. Now Mama’s looking askance at my trees. Mama, don’t be getting any weird ideas about cutting them all down!! Licks and snuggles to you XX
“Feeling poorly” never is fun, no matter what form it takes. Here’s to a return to full health for you both — and here’s to a little more pill-less peanut butter!
I Monkey thank you, Miss Linda. Yes, we’re both feeling much better now (well, Mama is; I Monkey am still battling the itchies). However, I understand Mama’s been holding out on me — there are things she could use to “hide” those yucky pills inside, things I wouldn’t mind eating. And she hasn’t been giving them to me. Doesn’t Mama understand that nobody wants her hands and fingers jammed down their throat?!!
I’m glad your Mama is feeling better, Monkey. I can tell you when my Mom is under the weather it is a very sad thing indeed. By the way, I’m with you on the pill thingy. There is no reason to just take them. Gotta habe the PB or no dice. – Your friend Twiggy.
Miss Twiggy, I Monkey thank you for empathizing with me. Only another doggin really can! Mama used to slather St. Dallas’s pills with something she called “squeeze cheese,” and he took them regularly. I Monkey might have to get her to try that, although the PB is working fine for now. Still, it’s good to keep pet parents on their toes, don’t you think?!
Absolutely 😀
Hi Monkey! Yorkie here. I’m wondering what is the cause of the itches. Last February I caught the itches due to a wicked batch of fleas that hit our area. As soon as this February rolled around it triggered my mama’s high anxiety!
With all that snow and ice you are seeing, it can’t be fleas!!
Once Mama conquered the flea episode, I was still itching, loosing hair and having bloody diarrhea. My Dogtur Julia who is smarter than my mama, did a lot of poking on me, but did not know what the cause. This went on for months. Mama was exhausted from caring for me. Can you believe that my mama actually gave up to the point of saying that I was dying in August.
By chance September our local food store had a coupon for a kibble recipe made without chicken, gluten or soy. It was loaded with probiotics and vitamins. The main ingredient is duck and sweet potatoes. I love it!
Immediately I had regular perfect poops three times a day. The downside is that meant no treats or other food for me. Mama doesn’t know why my Dogtur doesn’t know about the kibble cure.
Now I can have an occasional treat made with sweet potato and chicken. And once a week I can have canned shredded chicken.
So Monkey try an assortment of ideas. No one really knows what cures us. And most importantly keep your eyes on your mama by taking care of her so she can take care of you!
Poor Yorkie, you had a terrible episode, didn’t you? I Monkey am thankful you’re back in the land of the living and found some good kibbles that don’t aggravate your system.
I Monkey know all about tummy upsets. After all, my entire first year of like, I was going from both ends on practically a daily basis. Poor Mama had never experienced anything like it. She kept muttering that I was a defective puppy. But she stuck with me, and I’m awfully glad!
Dogtur thinks the trees in my back yard are the cause of my itchies. Mama is wailing over the potential cost of removing the entire hedge versus the cost of keeping me on pills. It’s a dilemma, that’s for sure. I’m glad little Monkeys don’t have to fret over stuff like this. As long as I feel better (which I do) and my furs are growing back (which they are), I’m satisfied. Hang in there, my friend!!
Oh dear seasonal allergies to trees and shrubs, Monkey, are everywhere! Let’s hope that the peanut butter pills will help you feel your best just like my Sweet Potatoes & Duckies! ❤️🐾🐾
Monkey … bummer that she has a case of the yuckies … but I hope she realizes how lucky she is to have you as a caregiver. But you shouldn’t chew your hair.
Aw, gee, Mr. Frank, chewing my hair is a great pastime! Not that it tastes particularly good or provides much in the way of nutrition — but at least for a time it eases the itchies. Now that Dogtur has me on this new medication, though, I’m finding it less necessary to chomp my furs. For that, Mama seems almost giddy!
Good for you, Monkey, looking after your Mama so well! February has been brutal in our house, too, with several viruses making the rounds. I hope your “itchies” are getting better and that both of you are on the mend and back to normal by March!
Thank you, Miss Barbara. We hope so, too. Of course, March really doesn’t feel much like Spring (to Mama, at least). She seems to think it should be warm by then … and she fails to remember that March is still pretty much winter! We hope you’re all feeling better at your house.
Take good care of your mom, Monkey! Just like she takes care of your itchy skin. I’m glad she’s feeling better now, and also glad that you stayed by her side when she was so ill. It always helps to have someone there to comfort you when you’re sick. You’re a good dog!
Thank you for acknowledging that, Miss Ann — Mama seems to need LOTS of reminders in that area, heh heh!
I’m glad you’re keeping an eye on your poor mama, Monkey – we humans need cuddles when we’re feeling ill! And it’s very nice of her to give you peanut butter every day! I used to give my cat Tuppence foamy cream for the same reason, and she appreciated it much more than the mouth forcing too! You animal overlord s sure know how to make your human servants dish out those treats! I hope your mama feels better soon, and I hope that annoying itch goes away!
Thanks, Miss FF. I Monkey am feeling much better, now that my furs are growing back; and Mama seems to be fit as a fiddle, too. All good here — hope that’s the same where you are!
I’m so sorry you and your mama weren’t feeling well, Monkey. But happy to see in the comments that you’ve both recovered. Bella (she’s a cat and I’m not sure you would appreciate her — she does, however, like dogs) feels the same way about pills or any medication. She knows it’s there and she spits it right back out.
Miss Robin, I Monkey am not particularly fond of kitties, but it’s nice to know your Bella feels the same way I do about pills. At least this time, Mama doesn’t have to use that plunger-device Dogtur sold her. I sure wouldn’t like that!