
Let me first explain I am the crazy dog lady you hear about. I have the expensive attitude of 'when in doubt go to the Vet'. This morning grooming went as usual, no one needed nails clipped or fur cut from between their toes. So off to Mary Holland Lake park for our two mile walk. I have all the basics in my big fanny pack, pepper spray on my wrist, and a walking stick. I am on the alert for snakes,bees, wasps, fire ant hills, alligators, free roaming big dogs, hawks, eagles, and poison toads. Thought I was girl scout ready for most anything. First Mile down, everyone watered and off leash for a short romp. I called them away from the water edge,and three came promptly wanting their stinky liver treat. Where was Rubin ? some how I lost sight of him. I called," Ruby Boy Let's go ! " He started for me and yelped. I ran to him because he was holding his front right paw up. I thought, Oh gosh a bee sting, thorn or something. I picked him up and jiggled the the other dogs on leashes to a picnic table. I put Rubin in my lap to examine his foot feeling relieved that I do have bendryl in my pack, IF he was stung. I almost screamed when I saw his second toe. It was huge, nearly as big as his center pad ! I swallowed the fear and gently touched it OMG it was hard as a rock and all weird feeling ! He whimpered. I am thinking OMG OMG as I called hubby on cell phone. Come get us OMG Ruby was bit by a snake or something his toe is ready to burst ! Hubby arrived in 4 minuets with half a shaved face and in his PJs. He barely had the car stopped when I yanked open the door, screaming OMG OMG hurry. Hubby called our Vet on speaker phone, I am crying and talking to nurse, 'No I didn't see a snake, no leg is not swollen, no blood, breathing is fine, Oh Mine ? sure I will try to calm down, we are almost there OMG !' We pulled in making a cloud of gravel dust. I jumped out and ran for the door. They were waiting for me. I went straight to the exam room. Dr D was there calmly asking questions. The Tec took Ruby and gently sat him on the table. He was holding his foot up and tight against his body. Dr D had the Tec pick him up and she sat on the low stool looking up at his foot. She tenderly took his little foot and looked. She made that throat sound haummm.. that means WTHeck. She turned the table lamp directly on his foot, and peered at his huge hard toe, intently, and said "Well I'll be ... " she touched it and his toe popped off and landed on the table. I almost fainted but then I heard the doc say," It was an Acorn cap and it was wedged so tight on his toe, I could hardly get it off !" Needless to say I humbly paid the thirthy-eight dollars for office call. All in a day of the life of my just right Yorkies. Rubin, Gracie, Ginny Joy, and Abba.