Wednesday night we made Crack Chicken Sandwiches for dinner. Our regular five at the house for dinner.
After dinner we cleaned up the table and I headed to empty the crockpot of the leftover chicken. Finishing up, I do what I've done a hundred times prior. I let Daisy lick the spatula. The bright red, on a long wooden handle, silicone, harmless spatula. One that many in this family have licked before.
And along comes Duke.
I move from one begging dog mouth to the other to give him a lick...
and in ONE QUICK GULP--- GONE!
The head of the spatula-- GONE! Like magic! Poof!
So fast I couldn't grab it, couldn't see it, couldn't believe what happened to it!
And this Houdini Dog is looking up at me for more. "Wow, Mom, that tasted great! More!?"
I stood shocked. I must have said something because everyone came running back into the kitchen to see me standing, dumbfounded, wooden handle in my hand, staring at the dog. He's wagging his tail, licking his lips, begging for more.
Thankfully Evans knew to induce vomiting and googled right away. Peroxide.
For the next hour we tried and tried. To no avail. I gave in around 9pm and called an emergency vet. The first one- a four hour wait. She told me she didn't advise waiting that long. The second one- no surgeon on duty (yes, sadly, we already guessed that was where we were headed).
The third one was a success. Talked to Megan on the phone and she was wonderful. She agreed with what I already knew, helped assure me he would be in good hands and told me to ask for her when we arrived. Evans & I took off with Duke immediately. Megan took Duke from me at the door and promised to take care of him. She really was great!
After another failed attempt at inducing vomiting Dr. Lohmann called me as Evans waited with me in the parking lot. Surgery was our only option. This was a 2x3 flat silicone spatula that had no way out.
She sent us home after hugs and kisses to Duke at the hospital door and I practically cried the whole way. My poor baby (and poor Evans, such a trooper). Surgery at three years old for a dumb, fluke accident Mommy should have prevented.
Waiting by the phone, we all fought sleep and watched a movie. At 2am Dr. Lohmann called with great news! She had gotten the red spatula head removed from Duke's stomach, in tact, with no issues. Right where I said it would be.
She even sent the video.
(You're welcome)
The next morning the day shift of Amy & Dr. Kupprion updated us on Duke's progress. They were all wonderful angels at VCA Newark helping my baby boy. God blessed us with amazing care! We were even able to pick him up by lunch time.
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| I Miss My Mommy |
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| Can I Take This Home with Me? |
Duke is now resting for two weeks. He's on three medications and a bland diet for now. He sports a tee shirt while we're with him and a cone when we can't be to keep him from the incision. He is quarantined (imagine that) to the family room as he is not permitted the use of stairs. He is, most of the time, a zombie, very tired and subdued. The medicine helps with that as they don't want him running around opening his stitches.
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| Resting Pup |
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| Zombie Pup |
Daisy.... is miserable. She wants to play. She wants more attention. She wants the spoiled snuggles Duke is receiving. And, we're trying.
Duke has two AMAZING nurses at home with alarms set, leashes at the ready, rice prepped, medication notes, and all the attention he could possibly need.
Oh, and that red spatula? It's going to be framed!
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| Don't Try This at Home! |
