Ticked off. Literally.

Howdy blogaroos. Squirmy here. The snow is gone, the sun is shining, the crocuses are blooming… and the ticks are OUT. Guess who got the first one? The one who stays on the trail? The one who walks on leash but insists on pooping off the trail and in the woods? Or the one who races through the woods like a hummingbird on too much caffeine? None of the above. The WARDEN got the first tick of the season. And it wasn’t fun.

So since the arrival of Spring, the Warden has been starting spring cleaning- and as you may recall, she has also started yard work.

Yesterday she had some shopping to do and while she was out, she felt as if her back was sore in one spot. Like it was bruised. She thought it odd, and figured she would look at it in the mirror when she got home. When she got home, she went to take us out for a walk to the lake, but she felt her back, under her sweater. And she felt a lump. She figured maybe she bumped into something- and maybe it was a tiny sore. When we returned from our walk, she took out a mirror and was shocked to see a black bump. Like a mole. But she never had a mole there before….

Long story short – it was a tick. She got out our trusty tick removal tool and did her best to pull it out.

She managed to get most of it out and she dropped the parasite into an old medicine bottle and locked him up. He didn’t look too good when she finished with him.

So now what? She called the provincial health hotline, which is generally lukewarm. She also called a friend who had a tick last fall – to see what he did. At that time, it was recommended that he visit a pharmacy for assessment. And sure enough- the hotline did call back and recommended the Warden do the same.

So she hopped in the car and went to our usual pharmacy. They said they were too busy- try the drug store across the street. So she went there and the staff were super helpful- although they never did look at the spot where the tick had been. They asked a bunch of questions- and recommended she take some antibiotics- just to be safe and protected against Lyme disease. So she got the drugs and dosed up last night. We are usually on tick medication- but we stop during the winter months. We started them again last night. PLEASE don’t tell the Warden about the horrors of tick meds. Everyone has to weigh the risks and benefits of taking preventatives. We know that some dogs have problems with them. Just like some people have problems with some drugs that others can take without incident. Sadly, the risk of contracting Lyme disease is high here because of ticks. And when you personally know three dogs who died from Lyme related illnesses – it affects how you think about risks and benefits. And yes, we tried every “natural” tick preventative. And yes – we were diligent about using them every time we went out. The Warden will do anything to protect us. And she doesn’t WANT to give us meds. BUT, she also doesn’t want us to contract Lyme. And short of wrapping us in Saran Wrap every time we go out, or not going for walks from now until December, she had to do something.

Anyway, her back is feeling better – and she’ll be more diligent about doing her own tick checks after she does yard work. She also brushed and used a blow dryer on each of us last night, to look for any other ticks. We were clear.

Can’t wait for the black flies next. Good thing they don’t last long – AND we live in such a fantastic place otherwise. NO poisonous snakes here! Or scorpions or tarantulas or pythons or alligators or water buffalo. It really IS a great place!!

What else is new? There are some obedience and rally trials going on this weekend- but none of us are entered. One of my Borzoi babes is in and my Shaggy buds are also in. The Warden says I’m not ready. She said maybe when I’m 10. She is going on her own though, to the trials, to help out. I’m hoping that maybe she’ll learn something while she’s there. She still needs much more training….

That’s it from the asylum. Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe.