In Moderation

It was the Roman playwright Plautus who suggested that ‘moderation in all things’ was a beneficial policy to follow. I agree, except when it comes to good news. In that regard, I don’t mind matters becoming a little wild, and things going to extremes. But I will accept even moderately good news, if that is what is offered.

Yesterday, Raleigh and I received moderately good news from his doctor. Firstly, the superficial ulcer in his left eye has cleared up. I am to continue putting drops in Peachy’s eye twice a day for a week, but this is a measure designed to make sure the ulcer doesn’t return, rather than to make it go away.

The more serious problem is his stomatitis. It has diminished a little, but is still evident. It is not, however, centred about his remaining teeth but, rather, farther back. In other words, removing the last of Raleigh’s teeth probably won’t have an effect on his condition. For now, therefore, more dental surgery is not being considered. Instead, his dosage of Prednisolone has been increased, from one tablet a day to one and a half, two thirds of the dose given in the morning, the rest in the evening. Fortunately, Raleigh is usually hungry enough at both times to eat enough soft-food in which to hide his medicine. (He doesn’t seem to eat any hard-food, though he had in his early days with me; therefore, he consumes nothing while I am at work.) While his stomatitis is still an issue, then, there is a plan to combat it without resorting to surgery. This is part of the good news.

There is something I have noticed about Raleigh’s reactions to going to the doctor. Though the Peach may run from me for a while, it is far easier now to catch him for both his eye drops (which is a relief for me, especially early in the morning when I have to go to work) and to put in the carrier. He cries going to the hospital and is almost literally petrified while there. But once he returns, he appears relieved and cheerful. He doesn’t hide and is rather talkative. Though he is very frightened during the appointment, once it is over, it seems hardly to have had an effect.

He is doing better over all in matters of trust. Though he may always be very timid, recovering from set-backs takes him less time than it did and, I hope, damages him less deeply. It may be a case of three steps forward and two back but the arithmetic is in his favour. And that is moderately good.