Happy pig, happy pig tail!
I’m giddy. I’m walking on air. I’m bubbling over with joy.
I had superheroes arrive in the barnyard yesterday in the form of three veterinarians. Three wonderful, highly skilled, engaging, informative vets. Two hours after they arrived, Doink had a beautiful pedicure, clean ears, and no tusks. All done with ease, lack of fuss, and virtually no stress – for me or Doink. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?
I met the Head Vet, we’re gonna call her Wonder Woman, when I took Pumpkin up to Colorado State University to their world-renowned vet hospital. I spoke with her about my nightmares with Doink’s tusks, and she offered to bring a team to the barnyard to do the job right.
She came yesterday with Captain America and Bat Girl, arriving in the VetMobile (beat up pickup) with boxes and totes filled with happy drugs and tools of the trade.
While I was over-the-top excited, Doink was wary of my superheroes. Pigs are crazy smart and he was instantly nervous when they entered the barnyard wearing coveralls. Doink does not have good memories of people in coveralls.
But superheroes are kind and good at their jobs, so the first shot of tranquilizers was delivered without much fuss.
Captain America held the board, keeping Doink safe (and kinda still) during the injections.
Brandy kept a close eye on the entire process.
We stood around and waited for Doink to go to sleep. He didn’t. He was like a toddler fighting a nap.
I am NOT going to sleep! You can’t make me!
In the end, it took three shots, enough for a pig twice his size, for the Doinkman to go to dreamy land. Wonder Woman was amazed – and glad she brought enough drugs!
And….he’s out!
They then went to work, with great care and attention to detail. A hoof trim was first. Careful trimming, no blood, and a sweet filing and buffing to finish the job.
A porcine pedicure – just like at a spa!
Then the tusks. It took all three of them to get the job done. I didn’t even know Doink had small upper tusks, ones that frequently cause mouth problems for pigs because food gets caught behind them – and pigs are always forgetting to floss 🙂 Those smaller tusks were trimmed too. All were filed to smooth the sharp edges.
All hands were needed.
My, what beautiful teeth you…HAD.
The job was complete. No screaming, no fear, no drama. Doink was wiggling even before they gave him the “antidote” to the tranquilizers. Wonder Woman said he might be seeing purple elephants for a while – the drugs will do that to pigs. They said he would probably sleep the day away, but no, he refused to simply relax and kept on standing and weaving around the shed like a drunken sailor.
On his first trip out to the barnyard, he had to lean on the stumps for balance! Are you seeing those purple elephants, Doink?
Whoa. Will you make the ground stop moving? I gotta lay down for a minute.
And today? He woke up a very happy pig. Not like last year or earlier this year. Today, he woke up and trotted out to get his breakfast like nothing had ever happened.
We had two years of nightmares with Doink’s tusks, then superheroes came and saved the day. I cannot possibly thank Wonder Woman, Captain America and Bat Girl enough. (Oh, their mortal names? Andi, Lincoln and Petra.) I look forward to seeing them again next year. Same bat time, same bat channel – or for us, it’s same pig time, same pig channel!
Maybe for them it’s all in a day’s work. But for me? For Doink? Priceless.
(Shared at Thank Goodness It’s Monday, Farmgirl Friday, Simple Lives Thursday, HomeAcre Hop, Down Home Hop, Backyard Farming Connection, Tuesdays With A Twist, Maple Hill Hop, Homestead Barn Hop, Clever Chicks, Simply Living Saturday, Old Fashioned-Friday, From the Farm and Fabulous Friday)
OMG, I got teary eyed! …and of course, I laughed at the thought of Doink the Drunken Sailor, leaning on stups an weaving across the yard! So glad all went well. <3
Tara Pantera recently posted…I canned, we ate, and we didn’t die!
This is wonderful news for you and Doink! So glad it went well – I’ve been thinking about his upcoming tusk removal ever since your last horrible experience with this event. So very happy everything worked out and that you found the vets with super powers!
This story makes my day! I can just picture all of it. You are such a good story teller!
A vet visit story with a happy ending- hurrah! I am so happy for for both you and Doink!!
Finally! OH I am SO happy for you and for Doink! Thank goodness you have someone that can do the job properly and with care now. Bravo for the super heroines!
KpMcD recently posted…Japan Prep: Taking the boys to the vet.
I actually teared up reading this for some reason. About time something went right for you guys!! Been a rough year. Doink (and Brandy) must be much relieved. 🙂
Chris at Hye Thyme Cafe recently posted…Soft and Chewy Apricot-Almond Oatmeal Cookies
Did the tooth fairy come too??? 🙂
Read your blog for the first time on Sunny Simple Life!
What a wonderful, fun, sometimes sad, but loving little backyard farm!!
I would love and dream, to have backyard chickens, a couple of goats and a pig or two!!
but your animals have names and you don’t eat them!!! Congrats to Doink and thrilled for you!!
I look forward to reading your back yard farm tales!!
Suzan
Suzan recently posted…SEE ROCKY CITY
I am so happy to read that FINALLY theres good news with Doinks spa days. Yay for both of you guys, I know how hard it is on you in the past. Glad you have super hero’s now.
Jen recently posted…Life Happens…
I am so in love with Doink through all of your stories, and so happy that things went well! Hopefully this is the beginning of a beautiful year for you, Doink and Brandy!
Vickie recently posted…We Have Walnuts – and Pears!
What an absolute cutie!
Green Bean recently posted…5 Fall Garden Tasks To Save Money in the Spring
So glad it went well after your past bad experiences. So happy for you and Doink.
Carol Caldwell recently posted…Emerald is on antibiotics
This is totally something I never have to deal with!!! Wow, there is a lot to dealing with the animals… glad it went well. 🙂
Gentle Joy recently posted…A New Look At Butterflies…
What a relief for Doink and you! Happy to hear some good news from the farm. ♥
Kathy Shea Mormino, The Chicken Chick recently posted…Flock Focus Friday, 10/3/14 featuring TWO GIVEAWAYS!
Love your blog, Thanks for sharing this on Fabulous Friday few weeks ago, please stop by this friday and share more of your sweet pets! this posts remind me when I used to care for my horses hoofs with tender loving care.
Hugs Maria
Simple Nature Decor recently posted…OCTOBER FABULOUS GIVEAWAY!
Lol! Who knew pigs could cause so much concern? I’m glad he survived in good spirits 🙂
Thanks for sharing your adventures on The HomeAcre Hop!
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