Prince suffered so much in his final days.
And yet he was his noble, calm, stoic, stupendous self.
Our glorious lion boy, friendly, gentle, happy -
The lepto booster hastened his demise and added to his misery. I argued against it, at his June 6 vet visit -- should have adamantly refused to pay $30 for a vaccine booster he didn't need AND which would cause terrible side effects. My bad: I should have researched this first instead of trusting a veterinarian.
Note to Self: BE MORE ASSERTIVE
All of 2024 was hard for our beautiful boy, after a hostile rescue dog charged into our yard and bit him (long story, not gonna go there right now).
The bite got infected, and it took 5 rounds of antibiotics and staples and MONTHS, months, months, on an off, in the miserable e-collar, and many bandages and pain killers. (The first vet visit was February 2024.)
I will not describe the heartbreak of going on walks without Prince. He loved our meadow walks with Bear. He valiantly tried, but a walk was so tiring for him, he just gave up. To go without him, to see him left behind - not gonna go there right now.
Not every dog needs every vaccine.
That’s the heart of integrative, individualized care.
Prince was inert for 24 hours after the booster. He started walking around but could no longer get in and out of the house without assistance.
Then, the licking began.
We hoped the donut would deter him. It did not.
He bled through the bandages even after days in the miserable e-collar.
Too late, I'm learning more about this booster.
Why We Don’t Recommend the Leptospirosis Core Vaccine for All Dogs
Overvaccinating can burden the immune system, trigger chronic inflammation, or contribute to long-term sensitivities, especially in senior pets or those with underlying health issues. We believe in protecting your pet without overwhelming their system, and that means vaccinating only when truly needed, not as a blanket policy.
From our holistic perspective, recommending the leptospirosis vaccine for all dogs regardless of lifestyle, health history, or risk amounts to overvaccination. While broad guidelines aim to simplify prevention, a one-size-fits-all approach can have unintended consequences.
..... Even vaccinated dogs can become infected, and vaccine protection is incomplete. From our integrative perspective, this makes a strong case for focusing on true risk reduction, like immune support, environmental awareness, and early intervention, rather than relying solely on partial coverage through vaccination.
Dr. Becki Baumgartner is Natchez Trace Veterinary Services' Certified Master Herbalist. Her passion is helping people find natural solutions for mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional challenges--for themselves and their pets!
PRINCE SUFFERED
Our cat knew
"Bobi the Bad" (now Bobi the Beatific) has known for weeks that Prince was fading. He started consoling Bear before the Last Day came round at last.
When I brought home a souvenir of Prince's fur, Bobi sat on it and pulled it closer to his heart with a paw (so help me God, it's on video).
Prince was SUCH A GREAT DOG and I cannot even begin to convey how much he was loved and is missed.
Our first collies, Blaise and Bailey, are long gone but not forgotten. Our son composed a song about the lack of white and gold...
"Bailey" by Miles
When I go back to my parents' place
You're not there with the same old happy face
Body covered in white and gold
Or looking sad like you know however I was feeling
when I got home
I don't find you dancing up the driveway
Moving tall and pretty or resting on the lawn
All the emptiness that fills the yard
All the silence I notice when I get there
To the place we used to play
And where you'd devour your lunch
Always scared during a thunderstorm
There's a lack of white and gold
And your wagging tail
But we keep on playing in the yard
Like we can feel you watching us
More at https://mileskean.bandcamp.com/releases
