Pooka has never had a bad vet visit. She loves the vet even after getting spayed. She has not even flinched for any one of her shots. Pooka, if standing next to a wall and a ball flies over her head will turn to follow it as quickly as possible and smack her face against the wall/corner and it won't phase her. When fetching down the hall, she does not put on the brake until it is much-more-often-than-not, too late and she smacks her head (or whole body!) into the door.
Could Pooka have like... a desensitization? My husband and his younger sister have a diminished pain response (ex: his sister was placed in bath water that was too hot as a baby, but because she didn't even notice, ended up with burns before mom could realize it). I don't see why this couldn't happen in dogs.
All the time I read about corgis on here who are super sensitive and getting hurt will cause them to fear things. If Pooka hits her head on the wall as hard as she can, the only response she shows is smacking her jaw a bit, but only if I've halted the play time. Otherwise she's focused!
She DOES feel pain, I know. She was miserable after being spayed. She once stepped on a sticker and hopped around til I took it out and then wouldn't leave my feet. She had a minor leg injury when she was younger (still idiopathic).
SO! Could she have a diminished pain response? Or is she just a very focused, tough little dog who is not really sensitive about getting hurt. I just worry because every time she hits her head on the wall I feel like she must've fractured her skull/jaw with the impact, because it sounds so bad! But if she doesn't show pain, how would I know? Another part of me says that it is unlikely she would be able to exert enough force to fracture her bones. (The other parts I love! Being really good at taking shots is just fine with me =) not holding a grudge if I accidentally step on her paw or close a door on her, great!)
Just wanted some thoughts!
(Valenpooka:
)