Do I look good in this?

I've just had the 'snip' and I'm wearing this lampshade to stop me licking the wound.  My doctor wasn't happy that I hadn't been wearing this.  I'm also restricted to walking on a lead as well, so I can't wait to get better.  I'm looking forward to going to the Lakes next week - that will be a nice reward.

Daddy had to think about this a lot, but he thinks it is for the best as I've given him some embarrassing moments recently.  (See earler blogs labelled 'castration'.)

A visit to the vet

I went to see the vet this morning. It was originally going to be for the 'snip' but Daddy has been having a rethink in view of comments from various sources (including here!). So I had my annual innoculation instead and Daddy spoke to the vet further. We saw a different one this morning than before and his view was that it was up to Daddy as to whether to have me 'done' or not - he was not dogmatic about it. There are medical advantages, in particular there are lower chances of prostate and testicular cancer. (However, it is more important to have a bitch spayed.) He also said that the summer would be an appropriate time, as that is when I would be mature. Daddy is therefore going to think about it further over the next few months.

The vet also said that I am now old enough for longer walks - yippee! Most of my growth plates have now closed. Here is an information sheet that Daddy found on the subject: http://www.yourvets.co.uk/html/pdf/Factsheets/Dog/24_265463.pdf.

To be or not to be (castrated)

That is the question. I am glad I don't know anything about this, but for the record I am going to the vet on Thursday for my annual innoculaton and Daddy is going to ask her when is the best time. He has read that it should be when a dog is mature and I am not yet. My trainer and my vet recommend it, and Pawstretchers won't mind me now until I am "done".

While researching this subject, Daddy has found the following articles of interest:

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html
http://www.neutering.org/
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080727041938AANpdu0
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf
http://dogtime.com/spay-neuter.html