Hello everyone, how have you been? Today I had planned to be productive, but life had other plans. Lara, our sweet toy poodle, woke up with a paw infection and a bit of a fever, so the whole day quickly shifted. That’s the reality of being a pet parent — sometimes caring for them comes before everything else.

This blog is about caring for a sick toy poodle at home. I’ll take you through how I recognized her symptoms, the first steps I took to help her, our vet visit, and how we spent the rest of the day keeping things calm, cozy, and healing for both Lara and us.

It wasn’t the day I expected, but it was still a beautiful reminder of patience, love, and slowing down when life asks you to.

Recognizing the Signs & First Steps

It all started yesterday, when Lara began licking her paw a lot. By this morning, it was clear something wasn’t right — she seemed to have a fever, she hadn’t eaten all day, and the constant licking had made her paw bleed. Seeing her like that made me uneasy, because Lara is usually full of energy and rarely gets sick.

The first thing I did was to gently clean and dry her paw, then wrap it in a clean sock to keep her from licking it further. She wasn’t thrilled about it, but it was necessary. I also started researching symptoms and natural remedies. To be honest, that can be overwhelming — suddenly you discover all the scary conditions you didn’t know existed.

While waiting for the vet’s office to open, I focused on giving her extra comfort. I let her snuggle in bed with Joen (who also wasn’t feeling great that day) and gave her all the love she wanted. When dogs are unwell, they often stop eating as part of a natural detox, but I still tried offering her a snack just to see if her appetite was coming back.

These small first steps — cleaning, preventing further irritation, and lots of cuddles — gave us a little more peace of mind until we could speak to the vet.

Vet Visit & Home Care

When I finally reached the vet, they couldn’t fit us in until the next day. That didn’t sit well with me, because Lara clearly had a fever, and I didn’t want the infection to spread deeper. So instead, I drove over anyway to pick up a few essentials: a cone collar and an anti-inflammatory spray for her paw.

It was Lara’s first time wearing a cone, and let’s just say she was not impressed. But it was necessary. Without it, she would keep licking her paw, undoing any healing. I felt so guilty watching her struggle with it, but I reminded myself it was for her own good.

At home, I cleaned the wound properly using the spray the vet recommended. It doesn’t irritate her skin, but it keeps bacteria at bay. Twice a day I have to rinse it off, let it air dry, and then keep her paw protected. It’s a simple routine, but it makes a big difference.

The hardest part was seeing how uncomfortable she was. Treats didn’t cheer her up, so I focused instead on creating a calm atmosphere: letting her rest in bed, giving her gentle cuddles, and just being present. Sometimes love and patience are as much a part of the healing as medicine.

A Cozy Day at Home

Since Lara wasn’t feeling well, the whole pace of the day shifted. Normally I would have done some work or tidied up the house, but instead I stayed close to her so she could rest and feel secure. She curled up in bed with Joen, who also wasn’t feeling his best, and together they had their little healing corner.

While they rested, I went into the kitchen to make something nourishing: Saag Paneer, one of my favorite Indian dishes. It’s a spinach-based curry, rich in vitamins and perfect for boosting the immune system. I even made it with homemade cashew milk, which gave the sauce a creamy texture without being heavy. Joen loves this dish too, so it felt good to make something comforting for both of us.

The smell of spices filled the apartment, and for a moment it felt like everything was in balance again. Cooking is often my way of calming down — it gives me a sense of control and creativity when things feel uncertain.

Lara, meanwhile, got a little spoonful of drained goat yogurt. It’s healthy for dogs and easy on the stomach, plus she absolutely loves it. Seeing her lick the bowl with a bit of excitement gave me hope that she was already starting to feel a little better.

Finding Calm in Creativity

With Lara and Joen resting, I decided to spend some quiet time with one of my long-forgotten projects — a painting I had started months ago but never finished. For me, painting isn’t about creating something perfect. It’s about the process.

I often get stuck when it comes to the details, because my perfectionist side wants everything to be “just right.” But on days like this, I remind myself that the result doesn’t matter. What matters is the act of creating, of letting go, and of enjoying the moment.

As I painted, I felt a sense of meditation setting in. Every brush stroke became an exercise in patience and acceptance. Mistakes turned into part of the artwork, and the whole thing reminded me that healing — whether for Lara or for myself — takes time and doesn’t need to be perfect.

This little creative break helped me feel calmer and more grounded, even while waiting and worrying about Lara. Sometimes the simplest acts — cooking, painting, cuddling with your dog — are the best therapy.

Sweet Comfort: Zucchini Cake & Offline Moments

Later in the day, I decided to bake something sweet yet nourishing — my healthy zucchini cake. It’s one of those recipes that feels indulgent, but still wholesome with dates, warm spices, and zucchini for moisture. As it baked, the apartment filled with that cozy, homey smell, and it felt like exactly the right way to end a stressful day.

While waiting, Lara and I curled up together to watch some YouTube. She actually enjoys watching other animals on the screen — it’s the cutest thing. A little later, Joen and I decided to go offline completely and play UNO. It was simple, but exactly what we needed: quiet time, laughter, and presence.

And while Lara enjoyed a few spoonfuls of goat yogurt earlier, it reminded me of the long journey we’ve been on with her food. Ever since she had that awful food poisoning a few years ago, we’ve struggled to get her off processed kibble. Every time we tried, her stomach would react badly — until we found Yumwoof, a natural dog food that’s been a true game changer.

Lara now eats their low-fat turkey recipe, which is made with real, clean ingredients like turkey, coconut oil, and even herbs like thyme. For me, it’s such a relief knowing she’s finally getting food that supports her health instead of upsetting it. If you have a dog, I can’t recommend it enough — it’s worth checking out whether you want to transition away from kibble or simply give your pup higher-quality nutrition. I have it in my shop you can find here.

Final Reflections

This day was nothing like I had planned. I thought I would spend it working, being productive, and getting things done. Instead, I found myself slowing down — caring for Lara, cooking simple meals, painting, and just being present.

It reminded me of something important: life with pets (and with people we love) is unpredictable. Sometimes we’re forced to pause, to adapt, and to give our full attention to what truly matters. Lara may not have enjoyed her cone collar or her paw cleaning, but she got extra love, snuggles, and care. And that’s what she’ll remember.

In many ways, this unexpected shift in the day became a blessing. It was slower, softer, and filled with small acts of care — from cooking Ayurvedic food to baking zucchini cake and cuddling with Lara on the couch. These are the moments that make a house feel like a home.

Thank you for being here with me and sharing this glimpse into my life. If you’re a fellow dog parent, and especially if you have a toy poodle like Lara, I can’t recommend exploring natural dog food like Yumwoof enough. It has truly supported Lara’s health in a way that nothing else has. You can find it in my shop if you’d like to try it for your pup too.

Until next time, hugs x 💛

And remember, you can always connect with me on Instagram @DearJamilaa.