Reading the thread on vets reminded me of a long, long time ago, when we were expecting Baby No 1.

Our pedigree tripe hound at that time was an 18month old lab (now THERE'S a surprise :D) by the name of Simba.
I was booked to have baby at home (as we did in those long ago days) - and about 1 month before, we started to think about what we should do about Simba... so, we trotted off to the vet's with Simba, explained the situation and - oh no problem, said Mr Vaddon the vet - we can give him sedatives.   So, we came home with a pack of about 10, with instructions to try him, that same evening, with 1 tablet, to see what effect that had - if not sufficient, we were to leave it for 2 days, then try him with 2, then if that wasn't enough to keep him less exuberant, then leave for another 2 days before giving him 3 - with the warning that if 3 didn't work, we ought to think about putting him into kennels for the duration!!!

So, we duly tried 1, then 2, and finally 3.   We were quite worried when it appeared to have no effect, because we really wanted to keep him at home, so that he could meet baby on his own territory as early as possible.   He had been bouncing around in the back garden, when the midwife knocked on the front door - he immediately galloped through to the front door - and collapsed in a heap at her feet - he looked so puzzled that his legs weren't working!!

3 days later, we gave him 3 knockout drops, he snoozed quietly away in the kitchen whilst I was busy upstairs - & met No1 Son at 4 hrs old!

Margot

LOL :D Some boy that Simba. I remember when District Nurses and Midwives were dog owners. They always seemed to have Cairns or Border Terriers to guard their cars, possible because steering locks and car alarms were yet to be invented....

Nowadays the helth visitors seem horrified tat the presence of a dog around yoru babiers :(  I am sure it iw one of the reasons new parents feel pressurised to give up the canine companion.  That and over protective Grandparents.