Lloyd The Dog

It's ALWAYS Lu

Sunday, April 27, 2008

This morning the pups and I took an extended hike through the forest. Along the way we met a porcupine. Actually, Lu met the porcupine, Lettie and I only watched this historic encounter unfold. The way Lu was snorting around I feared she had found a rattlesnake. Thank heaven for small favors.

As if our failed negotiations with the porcupine weren't enough, we also met a bear. Lettie and Lu barked at the bear, I yelled at Lettie and Lu. The bear, perhaps scared of the 23 barbs protruding from Lu's snout, beat a hasty retreat -- not in my direction. Ibid on the thank heaven deal.

I guess I should be grateful that we are all still OK, except for Lu, who is in some discomfort. Prior to our adventurous walk, I had a post nearly completed but Lu and I have to go to the vet because I've already lost in the single quillimination tournament.

I vow not to write again until every quill is removed from Lu's nose.

UPDATE-- Mon eve 6 p.m. EDT: Back from the vet. Lu got sedated and had the quills removed. She's groggy but will be fine. She has a bottle of antibiotics - Lettie got a biscuit. In retrospect, the bear seems like the bigger deal. We'll try again in the morning. BC

ADD COMMENT

sabMonday, April 28th 2008 11:21PM

Yikes! My little girl used to mess with skunks. Porcupines and BEARS! I'm glad Lu is still among us.

uncle buckMonday, April 28th 2008 6:28PM

Barry,
Thanks for the update.
Glad the doggie is out of the woods and on the mend.
Years ago my late, great mom was walking our golden in the fields up the 150 from our lake. She - the dog, not my mums - went into the tall grass and came out yelping in pain. Fortunately the proprietor of "Packard's Camps - Burton was his name - who was the quintessential tuff, gruff, Mainer, with arms like Popeye's, and who did not like doggies, was there. He took a pair of pliers and, holding the muzzle with one hand, removed the quills one by one. Mom said she had never seen such gentle handling of what had to have been an excruciatingly painful procedure.
It is an even better story the way she told it over the years, on the screened-in porch looking out over the channel, at the cocktail hour.
Apparently there is some skill involved as you have to push in on the quill (in or down) before twisting it out.
Hugs to Lu...

JeanMonday, April 28th 2008 5:07PM

Oh, poor Lu. I hope she didn't get any in her mouth and throat. A dog of mine tangled with a porcupine once, and required emergency surgery. Keep us posted.

COMMENT ON THIS

CRayMonday, April 28th 2008 1:31PM

Poor inquisitive baby, hope she doesn't have any way up her nose.
Bart sends a low moan of pity to Lu.