Every morning we try and get out and take our dogs for a walk on the path we mowed along the outside of our farm property. Along the northern end, the previous owners left a dilapidated shed which we tore down and removed. Next to it lies another platform on pillars that was used for storing old siding which we sent to the dump. We left this foundation and had the idea of placing a table and chairs there for summer picnics, or just a place to hangout and enjoy the view.
Thursday, following Mother's Day, we took the dogs on our usual stroll around the farm and their attention was drawn to the platform. We did not think anything of it because they always sniff around that area probing for rabbits that may be hiding about. Well, as we continued to walk past the platform, Count lingered and began to bark, alerting us to the fact that he detected something under the platform. So knowing that he couldn't get to whatever he found, we called him to come along so we could continue our walk. At this point Basie, our female dog went over to check out what all the commotion was. Of course Count persisted, moving from front to back , and back to side, round and around the platform he went. We called both the dogs to come and Basie came directly when we commanded.
BUT...Count decided he had to continue the pursuit. We called him again, and continued walking with Basie by our side, when suddenly Count comes racing down the path, stopping from time to time to paw at his face. He first stopped next to a yucca plant with a large cactus next to it, so we thought he had cactus stuck in his nose. But then he continued to run about stopping and pawing at his face. We finally realize he had encountered a porcupine and was trying to remove the quills form his snout, mouth and tongue.
We found this to be humorous and if you knew our dog Count you would too. He has a very "hyperkinesis" ( A Canine form of ADHD) personality and is always getting himself in some type of pickle. One of the reasons we walk every morning is to get him to calm down throughout the day. He gets so excited and moves his body so much even when he is in the sitting position it makes it difficult to pet him.
So, we got him home and he allowed us to hold him down to pull most of the quills out. We then called the neighbors to help us out. Three of us held him down on the table and one pulled the remainder of the quills out. The most difficult was on the roof of his mouth. Two were in his tongue, Ugh!
This is one of five incidents Count has experienced in his five years of living. He has broken his front left leg while jumping for a stick; which took months to heal and many trips to the vet. He has twice been sprayed by skunks while exploring animal holes on the property, bit in the face by a baby rattle snake, that ventured into the dog kennel; somehow he survived. He slashed open his paw while running about on the farm, and now he's been impaled by a porcupine on his daily walk.
Never a Dull Moment With Count,
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