Yesterday I was working on the computer, which is located downstairs. Generally, the dogs hang out with me and often so closely I dare not move my chair for fear of pinching an ear or paw. Ole often lays by the front door, as well. He's an elkhound, he gets too hot and likes to be in the coolest spot.
Absorbed in my work, I noticed Ole wasn't nearby. I hollered, as all moms do. "OLE! GET DOWN HERE!" I figured he was upstairs trying to scrounge every molecule of organic birdie bread my parrot dropped. It is his obsession and joy, and it gives him bad breath. After hollering a couple of times and not hearing any suspicious noises, I continued on with my work, because once I get distracted, who knows when I'd get back to it?
Several hours later I went upstairs to change clothes. And I found the reason for Ole's sneaky quietness when he was out of site: he had eaten an entire tin of Bag Balm! Sneaked it off a shelf, and taken the top off all by himself. Why did he think it was yummy? I have no idea. His breath was the same as ever, so I knew he'd done it when I was hollering for him to come downstairs. I was sad to miss the bag balm breath!
Bag balm is used on the udders of milk cows to keep them from chapping. It's also great for the feet of dogs who have to walk outside in sub-zero temps, and does wonders for cracked, dry winter skin. I use it on my feet. So I know it is non-toxic. But a whole tin? I read the ingredients: 8-HYDROXY QUINOLINE SULFATE 0.3% IN A PETROLATUM, LANOLIN BASE.
Petrolatum=Vaseline. Lanolin is non-toxic and great for your skin. But what the heck is 8-HYDROXY QUINOLINE SULFATE? That's a long word, and those are generally not good in quantity.
I called the vet office hoping for a quick answer. The teenager who answered the phone said all the vets were with patients right now and that I should just bring the dog in. Well, considering that it cost $65 to do that as an emergency, and the fact that Ole was fine at the moment, I rang off, rather disgusted with the girl. She wouldn't even take a message to have the vet call me!
Who me? I didn't eat anything, Mom, honest?
Only one other choice was left....call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline. My gut level feeling was that he was going have greasy poop, and possibly barf, but I did adopt him with the help of many, and I love him, and I'd really, really hate to be wrong.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control hotline costs money. Guess how much? Yep, $65, just like the vet. (By the way, if you ever need it here's the number: 888-426-4435.)
They were very good, and I was right. Ole is fine, and the inevitable has already happened, thank doG! And luckily it didn't happen in the car, which was the next episode I was expecting. Sometimes I'm so glad these things don't have sequels! I was expecting him to poop out several socks or something, you know, with all that help. With him you never know.
I took him out last night and he uncharacteristically went to the farthest corner, hid behind the last stand of fireweed, squatted and went thrrrrrrrrpppp! I did manage to see the startled look on his face.
All's well that ends well!
