Susan Stephens' Writing Diary

Thank you all for your kind messages- both direct to my e-mail and through this diary.

Finlay has come through her operation really well. Unlike other occasions when she's had to have a general anaesthetic she was quite alert when I collected her at the surgery.

We have a new young vet who only visits on a Wednesday and I feel he has a real vocation. I didn't need to explain to him that Fin may be fourteen but she is the liveliest and most intelligent dog I have ever owned... like most dog owners I make the strongest case I can rather than fall blubbing at the vet's feet and explain Fin is like another baby to me- but I think he got that part too.

She is fine this morning and has taken a stroll around the garden... a short walk on the lead coming up later. She is asleep here in my study right now, and if Blogger wasn't playing up I could show you the picture I just took of her...
She has been naughty because the vet removed another small growth on her head- plastic surgery, he called it (with such a kind smile) Fin scratched the stitched wound in the night however- so it may not quite have the Joan Rivers flawless quality about it when it heals!!
And Fin will not tolerate a plastic collar under any circumstances- it offends her doggy-dignity, she tells me.

So relieved I can bring you this good news... my first dog- when I was a little girl -went through a similar procedure and didn't come through the operation, so this is more of a relief than I can tell you. I guess veterinary science like everything else has come on since then- and thank goodness for it.

Back to work now!! (with my loving companion at my feet)

Susan (who really really appreciated those kind and thoughtful messages of support)