Please Don't Let Him Think He's Being Abandoned Again!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

On Monday morning, I'll be taking Jackdoodle to the Veterinary Specialty Clinic, where he will finally undergo the intradermal skin testing that I've been putting off for 14 months now. It has to be done; the autoimmune disease that causes his problems only gets worse, and it can become life-threatening without treatment. There is no cure, but hopefully we can manage it and give him a decent life. The best way to do that is to first find out exactly what is causing his flare-ups. And it has to be done in the "off-season." Since the procedure involves general anesthetic, he will have to stay all day, in an indoor "run". I have never left Jack anywhere besides the groomers for 2 hours, and even there, he really doesn't want to go in back without me. How am I going to leave him? He will have his blanket, and the pillow I sleep on, and whatever garment I sleep in the night before. I hope that will be enough to comfort him. But I am so afraid he is going to think he's being abandoned again.
It was almost exactly three years ago that he was abandoned, left in a place that will seem very similar to him, I'm afraid, and even at the same time of year. The people who had purchased him from the pet store, with whom he spent the first year of his life, dumped him in a non-kill shelter, in an indoor run, and walked away forever. He was then taken to a clinic, where he was anesthetized & neutered. And then back to lie in his cage afterwards. At first, he must have thought they were coming back for him...but they never did. I am so afraid that this is going to seem horribly familiar to him. I am so afraid that he's going to be in terror that he's lost his home and family again.
It will only be the one day, and then he'll be back here again. But it's going to be the longest, hardest day of his life. Will it be enough that he has his blanket, and things with my scent on them? Does he know that I love him too much to ever ever leave him? I hope so, but I don't know, and I am crying as I write this, thinking of how frightened he'll be, how lost & alone again. I have been crying over this image for 14 months...I couldn't even make the appointment without breaking down on the phone. Now that the day is almost here, I am terrified for him. And I need to get a grip on this before I bring him in Monday, or I'm going to stress him out even worse.
So I am asking Whoever Watches Over Big Shaggy Goofball Doodles to please, please, let Jackdoodle not be afraid, and please let him know that I am coming back for him at the end of the day, that I love him with all my heart and would never leave him, no matter what. And if anyone reading this happens to have a free moment on Monday to think of Jackdoodle and send him a little strength, it will be much appreciated. By both of us.

[Lori and Sadie]

Aww, my heart goes out to you! I hope it went well and gave you more information regarding his condition. Remember that Doodles are resilient, you may have more apprehension regarding this procedure than he has memory of his previous ordeal, we can only hope!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have posted Jack's test results in the main forum, in a discussion called "All About Allergies-Jackdoodle's test results". I would love all of you to read the info there and give me your opinions & advice as we proceed with treatment plans. And thanks again so much for your kindness & support!

[Elizabeth]

Karen, Don't worry.. your going to do great with the shots! It's so scary at first- but it's really much easier than you would think.. and he likely won't hardly feel a thing if they are sub Q. Give him lots of love for Sophie and I! Thinking of you, Liz & Sophie girl

[Lake Girl, Lizette]

Karen,
I hope yours (and our in our thoughts and prayers) is doing alright. I am so crying about Jackdoodle and also worried about his frame of mind. Please let us know how he is doing and you as well. I know you are very distraught. Be strong and if you prayed that he will understand and know he will be back with you very soon...than he will. How is he today? Please let me know what is happening. Thanks Lizette, Molly, and Nestle

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

OMG!....He looks like a Light Brite board!...Poor Baby.....I can really see the welts where he had an obvious reaction....Thank goodness we know now exactly what he's allergic to.....and BIG FYI YOU RAW FEEDERS-IT"S NOT HIS FOOD!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

What a sight. At least he is resting comfortably, now. You should, too.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep, subcutaneous. They had some kind of a stuffed sock, but I just wasn't in the state of mind, I could barely focus on what they were telling me about the test results. I am going to give myself a week, at their recommendation...I'm the kind of person who has to be lying down to have blood drawn, so today was not a good day to be practicing with needles.

[Cam & Oski]

Oh Jackdoodle! My side hurts just looking at you but then I think about all the great information they got to help make you feel better. Smoochies from Cam & Oski!

FYI: we use pig skin to approximate human skin when practicing suturing in terms of how it feels/how much pressure you have to apply to go through the skin but considering how skinny these doodles are, it might be easier to practice injections using a peeled orange inside a thin sock to practice pulling the skin up cuz I'm assuming that they want you to do subcutaneous (just under the skin) injections?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The below photo is graphic, but I don't think it hurts him, it just itches. We're using cream on it. And he's so much better tonight! He took his walk & even brought me a ball earlier. Honestly, you all were right...I think it was harder on me than it was on him!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

His war wounds. I hope they look worse than they feel.