Leonard "Bones" McCoy (justmybonesleft) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2019-05-16 19:27:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, leonard mccoy, veronica mars |
Who: Leonard McCoy & Veronica Mars
What: Veronica brings Backup for a check up
When: Early May
Where: Leonard's vet clinic
Rating/Warnings: G / None
Status: Complete
It had been about five years since Backup had just shown up in Veronica’s life. He came from the dreams and one day she had just woken up with him in her room. Backup had always been well behaved as well as fiercely protective of Veronica. As time went on Veronica had less time for Backup, especially when Liam was born. But he was still as good of a dog as ever, protective of Liam now too. Still Veronica knew she should give him more attention. Take better care of him than she had been lately. More walks, dog parks, that kind of thing. And also the vet. She couldn’t remember the last time she had taken him for a check up but it was probably before Liam was born almost two years ago now.
Veronica heard about this clinic run off the veterinarians’ s ranch. She liked the idea of that. It felt more personal than just taking him to one in the city. And Backup deserved the best care there was. Veronica had called and made an appointment. She showed up a little bit early, putting the pit bull on his leash and walking to the clinic. She had to admit the fresh air of the ranch felt nice.
“Backup, sit,” she instructed once inside which of course he complied right away. Veronica made her way up to the front desk checking in, Backup remained sitting the entire time. Once that was taken care of she took a seat herself in one of the waiting room chairs. Letting Backup follow and sit right in front of her.
Retraining as a veterinary may have seemed like a crazy idea to anybody else but to Leonard it made absolute sense. He didn’t really like people whereas he loved animals, horses especially, and it would give him a chance to do some good for them as well as limit his exposure to people. Thankfully business was booming which was further evidence to Leonard that he’d made the right decision.
His clinic had been running pretty smoothly this morning and that put him in a good mood so after seeing Princess Fluffy Gloria the First out he got his next file from the nearby receptionist and Leonard glanced around the waiting area.
“Backup Mars?”
At the sound of his name Backup stood up, tail wagging. Not at all concerned or aware that he was at the vet’s office.
“That’d be us,” Veronica said following suit and standing up after her dog. Leash in hand she made her way over to the veterinarian. “Veronica,” she said offering out her hand to shake. Backup at her side gave a small bark. His way of saying hello. “And as I’m sure you’ve guessed. This is Backup.”
Leonard took the hand that was offered, grip firm and warm, and gave it a steady handshake. “Pleasure.” He glanced over to the dog in question before he tucked his file under his arm and reached down to rub a hand over Backup’s ears. “Well it’s nice to meet you, Backup. How about we get you checked out and then you can go on your way.”
And with that he led them in the direction of a nearby room.
“So, tell me about Backup, anything you’re concerned about or I should pay attention to?”
Backup wagged his tail at the ear scratch, but then his tail fell between his legs as they were led into an examination room. Backup was no dummy. He knew what was going on.
“I’ve had him for about five years,” Veronica replied bending down to give Backup more pets now that they were in the room. Of course she didn’t mention how she got Backup. ‘Just showed up in my bedroom after a dream’ probably wouldn’t go over too well. Especially if the guy wasn’t a dreamer himself. “He seems pretty healthy,” Veronica went on. “But I can’t remember the last time I took him to the vet.” She gave Dr. McCoy a sheepish smile. “Life, you know?”
“Alright then,” Bones said as he walked around and proceeded to lift Backup onto the table so he could take a better look at him. He started with his eyes first then moved onto his ears before he ducked down to get a good gauge on how his teeth were holding up. Some tartar build up but nothing that couldn’t be fixed with some good brushing and appropriate chews. Once that was done he asked Veronica to hold onto Backup as he proceeded to feel about his stomach. “One thing I’m gonna suggest is some chews, to help with the tartar build up on his back teeth but other than that his teeth are in pretty good shape.”
Veronica hadn’t even thought about his teeth. Man she was a bad dog owner. But at least he didn’t seem too bad off, other than the teeth thing. Veronica hopes she would notice if anything was seriously wrong with him. She may not have known to keep his teeth clean, but it wasn’t like she was oblivious to his well being. “Got it,” Veronica replied holding on to Backup so Dr. McCoy could finish his examination, one hand petting Backup on top his head. “Is there anything you recommend?”
“Well his heart sounds good,” Leonard assured after having a listen before his hands moved to Backup’s paws where he took a look at his claws. “Maybe get these trimmed so the quick doesn’t grow too long.” He then felt along Backup’s spine and was happy with what he could feel along with his weight. “Overall he’s in pretty good shape even for not having seen a vet in a while. I assume he’s neutered and up to date on is vaccinations, flea and worming treatment?”
That was reassuring. She really needed to keep up with taking him to the vet. She did want to keep him healthy. “Definitely been neutered,” Veronica confirmed. “How often is he supposed to get his vaccines and,” she waved the hand that had been petting Backup, “all that?”
“Vaccines are once a year, worming is every three months and flea treatment should be done at least once a month.” He checked his system and sure enough he had both flea and worm treatments in stock. “I can do the flea treatment right now and give you some worming stuff to go home with and you can sneak it into his food ‘cause I know from experience that’s always easiest.”
“Oh yeah that medicine that comes in the mail every month? He’s been taking that. But he probably needs the worm treatment and vaccines.” And Veronica was going to have to remember to take him to the vet more often.
Leonard made a couple notes about Backup on his system so he could keep a track of the dog’s health along with his medical history. It was just as important as a person’s medical history, animals were basically extended family. “In that case Molly at the receptionist desk will be able to get you and Backup booked in for his boosters.”
“Who’s been a good boy?” He says with clear affection as he rubs a hand over Backup’s ear and plucks up a treat from a nearby container which he makes him sit for before letting him have it. “Alright, lemme get you set up with some worming treatment.”
Again Backup’s tail wagged as he was given pets and then a treat, proud of himself for surviving the vet. He even licked Dr. McCoy’s had affectionately after he was given the treat.
“Got it,” Veronica replied picking Backup up off the exam table and letting him on the ground. “So how long have you been doing this for?” Veronica asked. Not because she didn’t trust him as a vet, it was just her curious or some might say nosey nature, to know these things.
“Couple years,” Leonard replied. “Not as long as I’d been a doctor but I wanted a change of pace after getting back home from deployment.” He stepped over to the nearby cupboard and reached in to dig out some worming treatment for a dog of Backup’s size and weight. “Here you go.” He passed it over to Veronica. “Slip one of those in his food and that’ll sort him out.”
“What branch?” Of the military she meant. She had to admit she was impressed that he had been a doctor beforehand. But right, back to Backup. “Thanks,” Veronica said accepting the treatment. “Every three months,” she repeated mostly to confirm she had heard right.
“Army,” Leonard replied as he added a couple notes to Backup’s file before turning back to look at Veronica. “I was last in Afghanistan.” Coming home had been a pretty rough transition but thankfully that was long behind him.
“Ah,” Veronica replied not sure what else to say on the subject. The only experience she really had with people serving in the military was in her dreams. She knew thanking for their service was the appropriate response, but she didn’t feel like this guy was the type to want to hear that. “Well thanks,” she settled on instead. Could be for his service or it could be for taking care of Backup. He could take it however he wanted.
Leonard smirked slightly before he gave Backup’s ears another quick ruffle. “I’ll see you for your next check up in six months.” He looked up at Veronica. “Or his shots, whatever comes first.”
He glanced at his computer and could see his next patient was waiting. “But it was nice to meet you both.”
“You too,” Veronica replied giving a small wave before she turned to leave. Well that was taken care of. Veronica left feeling a small sense of accomplishment.