The masked heeler had her first post-operative check-up this afternoon.

As usual, we got there right on time. And had to wait a full hour to get into an examination room. And another 15-20 minute wait in there.

I've come to expect that, and always understood that when you serve as medical center and emergency room at the same time, things often do not go according to schedule.

I'm even more understanding now.

The gals on the staff took turns coming out to visit with Kira. She's a big hit. And all are pleased with her progress.

But she still won't accept treats from these people.

JoJo is still there. She is just starting to get the hang of getting around on three legs. Especially hard with a broken pelvis thrown into the mix.

Its been over two weeks. Her owners have come in to visit once.

Once.

One of the staff wants to take her home and give her some real loving. If I wasn't tending my own heeler, I would have gone back to say hi.

A couple of the town animal control officers came in to settle a bill. One recognized me.

Hadn't seen her since last year, when she called regarding a "wolf hybrid" they had acquired. Seems the large canid had bitten someone, so was placed under observation. That was when they learned the owner had often claimed the dog was part wolf.

Not legal in this state. No way, no how. No matter how little of a part.

Because of the biting incident (in which the girl had been teasing the dog), the owner abandoned it to the pound. But the cops and a game warden went to court to get the dog destroyed, based upon its supposed wolf heritage. Meanwhile the animal control officer had found a new owner, a woman who came daily to visit and care for the dog.

The game warden had visited the pound, and declared the canid part wolf, based upon its face, large size and the fact that it cowered in the back of its kennel, slinking away from him.

Not like any natural dog.

So the animal control officer wanted a second opinion.

Last thing I wanted to do was get in the middle of this. But I went anyway.

She let me in the pound, and I went down the aisle between the mostly-filled kennels.

I guessed which large dog was the "wolf hybrid" and went to her kennel. She immediately came to the gate and licked my extended fingers, before pushing her head down so I could scratch her neck.

Desperate for attention. Like any dog in a pound.

Her tail curled up and forward, like a husky's. A non-wolf trait. This was just a big white dog, with no aggressive signs.

One hates to contradict a fellow professional, but I advised the officer of my opinion of the dog's heritage: no wolf (the vet also pronounced it a mix of two domestic breeds). And told her to quote me if she needed to.

Never heard back on this case, from her or the warden. Learned today that the dog had been put down by court order. Been a lot of months, and she's still upset about it.

But remembers me. And thinks our masked heeler is gorgeous. I didn't tell her that this heeler and her sister also do not favor that game warden.

The vet's evaluation? Masked heeler is doing great. All limb functions appear okay, although possibly some tendon damage in the knee. Incision is almost fully healed. It is fully healed everywhere except where she chewed out the stitches (twice), and now has staples in her butt. They come out next week. So the cone stays on.

Wife pointed out to her this evening that if she hadn't chewed the stitches out in the first place, she would be done with the cone by now.

She didn't want to hear it, shoving her head into her Alpha's lap.

Now I have to go up and relieve the wife, who is heeler-sitting. Another night on the floor.