Jackie is an energetic and fun-loving little fellow, but he will not submit gladly to anything he appears to feel does injury to his dignity. He initiates overtures with huge enthusiasm, but he has his limits. For some reason, although he enjoys intimacy at a certain level, he does shy away from probing and even gentle handling at times. He isn't enamoured of having his head or his ears petted and although eager for touch at times, at other times tactile demonstrations offend him.

And he was offended yesterday afternoon when he was on the examining table and it was time, after his annual physical, to have his vaccinations. Earlier, on our arrival, both Jackie and Jillie reacted with spirited annoyance at the visible presence of the Ottawa Veterinarian Hospital's resident cat, an inoffensive and attractive feline, unobtrusive at most times, but entitled to display herself when she feels like it, usually around the counter of the reception desk.

So they were both growling and intermittently barking very annoyingly at this cat whose composure never once faltered, simply ignoring the silly upstarts, unwilling to start a brief and predictable war between the species. One of the receptionists suggested we collaborate in allowing the three to become acquainted at close quarters and it was a good solution since our two have never on encountering another animal, become physical, close encounter encouraging a relaxation of tension, but by then it was time for our scheduled interview/examination to take place.

When they were weighed, it was confirmed that Jillie weighs almost two pounds more than Jackie. Given their size, that's a considerable difference in the two siblings. But it's always been that way, over the year they've been with us. We'd decided to make this venue and its veterinarians and staff our home vet service, since we so often end up here in any event, as it is also a 24-hour emergency veterinarian service.

We'd met this veterinarian before, and asked for him specifically, having taken immediately to his kindliness and unaffectedness. His interest in the animals he encounters and the extent of his appreciation for them is unmistakable. He took considerable time explaining to us his philosophy respecting health, nutrition and required vaccinations, and we appreciated that. He is a tall, broad and bluff man with a confident but personable approach, his manner as gentle as his speech.

We've been there often before during Jackie's yet-brief lifespan, given his proclivity to get into one kind of trouble after another, from pulling out one of the stitches from his neutering, to ingesting a toxic mould that affected his central nervous system, and earlier than that suddenly experiencing a series of choking paroxysms from something he had ingested in the backyard, last winter that ended up with his having a severe reaction whose symptoms of a deep chest cough lasted a month before full recovery.

Jillie, far more robust than her brother, has never been a cause of anxiety attributable to a brief health breakdown. This examination that took place yesterday verified that both are in excellent health; their dentition particularly impressed their new vet, who recommended that their teeth be brushed regularly, something my husband had done faithfully with Button and Riley, but hadn't yet begun with our new companions, and which when he did, Jillie acceded to gracefully, while Jackie firmly rejected.