Rosie the cream Cockerpoo  usually leads Polly the  Cavachon into mischief, but she hasn’t been herself for a while. So off to Skeldale Veterinary Centre – our Thirsk vet, better known worldwide as The Yorkshire Vet.

We followed the new protocol and parked in the car park alongside other distanced cars, with the owners chatting across the spaces to one another. Then we had to  telephone reception to let them know we had arrived.

A cat in a basket was brought out, by the nurse, and delivered to its relieved owner.

Then out came lovely Rachel, masked. A wave, a bit of a chat about symptoms, and in she went with Rosie who extraordinarily let herself be led away.  My baby… Chewing of nails. We kept Polly with us. (They can’t go anywhere without one another so if one goes, the other is at her side)

Polly whinged ‘Oh no, is she off for a treat? Will she even return?’  When I explained where Rosie had gone, Polly gulped, ‘Would there be the dreaded temperature taken, from you know where?’ She sat down firmly, unbudgeable because no-one, not even Rachel, was taking her temperature thank you very much.

In time, out came Rosie. She has a gum and throat infection, and yes, stiff joints. (Well, she is 7) . Rachel had given her a dose of penicillin and today we start the twice a day antibiotic regime. The stiff joints will be helped with medication delivered via a pipette. Onto the food or however – Rachel suggested. We knew the food would remain uneaten – we have trodden this path before, so it must be squirted into the mouth after food. Oh Lord,  Rosie has experienced pipette medication before and is an arch jaw clencher. But needs must – let battle commence, which it did that evening. However, I am her parent, not an underling and what’s more,  I’m bigger than her, so very there. Mission successful.

We had been parked next to the oak tree. Small acorns are in evidence. So the year is getting on. With that thought, we headed for home.  

And Rosie this morning? Ah, much more herself, so off round the corner to the new Thirsk and Sowerby Sports village, landscaped so that not only is there a cycle and running track which passes between wild flower beds,  the track encircles  team sports fields. During the Covid pandemic, these are given over to walking, playing and so on.

Off went Rosie onto the playing fields, whirling and twirling, playing with her friends, with Polly in her wake, her recovery has begun. Thank you Skeldale Veterinary Centre, and Rachel.

Annie Clarke is the author of Wedding Bells on the Home Front. pb pub on July 23rd.