A very traumatic day.

I love my puppy, Willamina. I love my other dog, Max, too. But he's always really been my husband's dog. Willie has been a mama's girl from the start. (could be the similarity in our hair).

Saturday, I had an experience I hope I never have to go through again. I had come home from a hair appointment and decided to take Max and Willie out for a walk. Everything went well - Willie did #1 & #2 (picking up puppy poop is my life - ain't it glamourous)! When we got back home, I noticed some vomit by the back door. It had obviously happened before our walk.

Next thing I know, Willie is trying to sit - but she's listing to one side...almost as if she were drunk. Then her eyes start to shut....almost as if she were drunk. She became very non-responsive and I became very scared. My husband had the car and was 25 minutes away on the other side of the city. I called him and told him to come home right away. Then I called my very good friend, Joe McParland because I started to panic and wanted to get her to the animal hospital. Joe came over immediately and when he came in the house, Willie jumped up and started barking at him and I thought, okay, maybe she isn't as bad as I thought. But about a minute or two later, she started listing to one side again. She wouldn't or couldn't open her mouth and she looked like she was going to pass out.

Anyway, my husband - the other Joe - got home in record time and we rushed to the animal hospital where a wonderful vet (who looks like a surfer) named Dr. Kaye took care of Willie. Blood tests, thorough examination. He said she probably ingested a pill of some kind or even a cigarette (apparently nicotine can have a very strong reaction in a little puppy). About two hours after the initial incident, Willie seemed to be coming out of it, so we took her home with some activated charcoal to shoot down her throat. The vet had given her gravol before we left to try to settle her stomach.

Today, Willie is back to her old self.

But I beg all of you - before you throw that cigarette butt, or roach, or pill or gum on the sidewalk/lawn/street, please think of the puppies whose owners take them for walks and what might happen if they ingest it. Please.