There was something on the dog. Vince found it. Vince: “What is that?” Me: “I don’t know. Is it another tumor?” I examined it. It was dark brown and fat, maybe 3/8” in diameter. And... shiny. Vince: “It’s like a seed. But its gross. Me: “I don’t know what it is. Let me just pull it off her.” But I couldnt pull it off. This fat ‘seed’ was on the back of my dogs head, and I couldnt grip it. I got a paper towel and tried again. I pulled HARD. This time the contents burst in my hand. It was wet and it smelled bad. (Bowie-dog is enduring all of this without complaint. Not a peep.) I peered inside the napkin. The ochre was fetid and brown. I looked back at the dog. The ‘seed’ was now (I realized) the deflated abdomen of an insect. Well, not an insect, a TICK. Oh my god. Now I was pissed. With the strength of a mama bear, I pulled the tick free from my dog’s head. It was still alive. (The tick. And the dog. And the contents of my stomach.) You need to understand that I am the least twinge-y mom youve ever met. Ive pithed frogs. Ive cut open live rats. I would saw off your leg if we both had enough bourbon. But this tick? Revolting. I watched the thing crawl around on the napkin, its full belly now empty of its blood lunch, and I did the only thing I could: I set it on fire. P.S. There was a second tick just above Bowie-dog’s eye, and I plucked that one off too. I also set that one on fire. P.S.S. In 10 years of running this dog through the woods, this is the FIRST TIME Ive ever found a tick. I have washed my hands three times. My soul will need more cleansing. [Click on link for NSFL photo. Or dont.] i.imgur/hXL78Iq.jpg
Posted on: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 01:49:45 +0000
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