Jackie is always a bundle of nervous energy. There are times when he becomes over-stimulated by an environment that is completely unfamiliar to him and his stress levels soar. Although our twin poodles have been to the veterinarian enough times in their short lives to have a familiarity with the process -- or perhaps it is because they have been regularly exposed to the procedure -- it is not a place that they're raring to return to.

They like the people they come across there well enough, including the veterinarian who looks after their medical needs as well as the technicians and office staff, but no doubt the odour of the place informs them that they needn't get too comfortable, because nasty things tend to happen there. Like an inoculation yesterday afternoon for Leptospirosis, which has lately returned to our area.

As though Heartworm and Lyme Disease thanks to the growing prevalence of deer ticks aren't enough of a problem. But we got through the agony of the visit and to their great relief finally left, driving downtown to Byward Market briefly to pick up magazines of my husband's choice at the place that stocks more newspapers and magazines than you'd ever think were published, and which also sells a wide array of Eastern smoking paraphernalia like water pipes, etc.

It seemed as though we spent the better part of the afternoon running these errands. Leaving us time to make our way to the ravine for a walk in the woods a far shorter distance than we usually devote to it.

It's somewhat difficult to become accustomed to Jackie and Jillie's new look, our svelte, sophisticated-looking little bumpkins -- after their grooming of the day before, but we're managing. Their haircoat is now very short and it feels as silky as a spider's web. They look skinny, long-legged and muscular.

In fact, the vet noted in particular the good condition of their bodies and legs; tight and muscular, thanks to their daily forays on the forest trails. He did recommend that we begin brushing their teeth, as my husband had done daily with Button and Riley. First you've got to pin Jackie down and pry his little jaws open to have any success in that endeavour, and short of breaking a few bones in the effort, it isn't likely that'll fly with him. Jillie is far more biddably compliant, but even she can be inordinately stubborn when the mood takes her.