Cheek Swab – Friday 8th August 2025

Cheek swab

Pebbles needs to give a cheek swab for the DNA test she’s doing. Now, if you think about it, Pebbles is a chewer. She never stays still and never falls asleep during the day, This is partly how we got here in the first place. It suddenly occurred to Mum, fortunately in advance, that if she put a swab into Pebbles’ mouth there was only one thing that was going to happen. In a moment of foresight, Mum thought it might be best to try with an ordinary swab first to get Pebbles used to it. What could go wrong? As you’ve guessed – the answer to that was any one of a number of things. The most obvious being trying to bite the swab. Sadly, that was as far as Mum got.

No treats

Mum can’t use treats to encourage Pebbles to stay still, as Pebbles can’t eat for two hours before doing the swab. Now Mum is considering three options. Firstly, getting Dad to help. Given Pebbles gets even more excited around Dad, we don’t think that one is going to work. Secondly, waiting until we have made some progress with pebbles being calmer before doing the swab – but that could be quite a long time away. Thirdly, booking an appointment at the vet and asking the veterinary nurses to rise to the challenge. Mum is tending toward option three, but says she is going to see if she can condition Pebbles to accept a swab over the next week first.

The next couple of weeks

I may ask Pebbles to write the diary for the next couple of weeks, if she will sit still long enough. Either that or I’ll have to dictate it to Mum. I suspect My eye and face are going to be a little sore and I’m not going to want to look at the computer screen. One way or another I will update you on how I’m doing. I’ve got my hospital bag ready and am just waiting for Mum to put it in the car. Hopefully if everything goes well, I’ll be home again just after lunchtime. Paws crossed.

Love and licks

Wilma

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