To Spay Or Not To Spay

Kiko and Lyra are going in to be spayed on Friday March 19th.

As the date comes closer and closer, I find myself worrying about them as though they are one of my children.

When we made the decision to spay them, it was the logical thing to do. We are not going to breed them, and the benefits of spaying a female dog as early as possible are many. The chance of getting mammary cancer is reduced to 10% if they are spayed prior to their first heat and to about 25% if spayed after their second heat. Spaying also eliminates the possibility of them getting ovarian or uterine cancer. The chance of them getting Pyometra (an infection of the uterus ) is also eliminated. Having a female dog in heat is also not the most sanitary of situation (as we learned with Kiko).

However, logic and emotions are two totally different entities. I am concerned about their reaction to us leaving them. They've never gone anywhere without one of us. I know that they will be sedated and as such asleep most of the time. Yet I feel this uncontrollable desire to go and overnight at the vet's office (we're not allowed - I got Ansaar to ask). I know that it's a routine procedure. I know that they are very resilient. I know that they will heal and be ok. Yet I cannot help but feel like I should be there to hold them and reassure them. They are dependent on us for so much, yet we are the ones who will cause them pain - even though it is for their own good. How very strange to feel such an attachment....It was much simpler when dogs were just that..dogs. They slept outside, you fed them once a day, gave them a bath once a week, didn't really play with them or share space with them, never got to know them as individuals, there was no emotional bonding, just humane compassion if anything happened. With Kiko and Lyra, they are very much a part of the family, not just dogs....and so I worry until I know that it is over and that they are well again.