I was dreading yesterday's appointment for little Riley's annual health check.  There aren't any real outstanding issues with his health, but there is always the presence of those lipomas.  They grow to a considerable size on his little body.  He's a toy poodle, after all, and not a very large dog.  Once, years ago, we agreed to surgery to remove the two that were then present.  The surgeon assured us that it was his professional opinion after many years of surgery and observation that our problems were over; lipomas would not return.

We know better now.  At least with our little Riley.  For the lipomas did return and became more numerous.  As we pointed out to his veterinarian, the one he had on his upper chest which had been a considerable size, has since been re-absorbed and he can see that from the obvious 'stretch' marks on the skin there, something that quite amazes him as he says he's never heard of that happening.  I did note that a few years back those he had on his haunch and stomach had also receded significantly.  They have since returned to full size.  Sometimes the skin seems loose over them and sometimes it feels fully packed.  They concern us enormously.  We would preferably like to refrain from further surgery on the little guy.

Otherwise, he's in fine fettle, very good health for a twelve-year-old.  Heart in good condition, and lungs, and his diet is good and his exercise regimen as well.  His weight and body conformation are excellent, said the vet.  I discussed his diet, explaining the extras given him beyond his normal canine diet.  Daily vegetable salad, a teaspoon of kefir, and small bowls of clear chicken soup accompanying his two daily meals because he tends not to want to drink water.  He often gets small amounts of scrambled egg at breakfast time.

He isn't anxious to be out for our daily rambles in the ravine, but he is resigned to them, so he manages to get in an hour, hour-and-a-half exercise walk, up and down the hills of our nearby woodland ravine.  But he is absorbed, on sunny days - even days like this morning when the temperature has barely inched above freezing, to be outdoors soaking in the warmth of the sun.  We keep an eye on his comfort, dressing him in a little coat for warmth.