[Dale]

I have been trained all my life to react to what other people do.

They do "X".....I do "M"...they counter with "C" I go to "T".

But today I felt so, so ,so helpless.

Sitting here at the computer I hear my two dogs going at it like I've never heard before.

Knowing they get along so well I have to go out and investigate.

The four year old "pup", and the youngest, is foaming at the mouth...looks like he is wearing a three inch 'foam' beard and Cujo has a slight cold compared to him.

The older female....who looks after him like mom......is barking at him with a tone I have NEVER heard before and the pup is 'going after' her.

I run out...not knowing what is going on or if the pup is gonna turn on me (he took the defensive alert stance almost immediately) and, yet, the pup keeps slowly moving back and not letting me near him (not knowing what is going on, I keep my distance).

I've seen some things similar and it tells me he got ahold of a toad but I'm not sure since no other dog I've had acted like he was on alert to attack.

I call the veterinarian, who is 20 plus miles away, and explained to the gal answering the phone and she immediately said, "sounds like he has distemper...get him in here!"

I explain that Caleb (the dog's name) is NOT about to let me near him she says, "well, when you get him bring him in right way" yet she couldn't say one way or another if the dog would turn on me...and I'm supposed to go and find out?

Now...having no idea if distempered dogs will bite I decide to test my idea he got ahold of a toad.

I sit in the middle of the lawn with the water hose at ready and, with a LOT of luck, I call him in and washed his mouith out.

He is fine now.

But, I am pizzed at the gal in the vet's office scaring the H E double crap outta of me thinking I am about to lose one of my daily companions.

But, more so...I am pizzed at myself because I didn't know what to do at first.

I felt so helpless thinking, "am I gonna have to shoot one of my friends?"
(and yes, he, and the lil girl) are my daily friends and companions and I'd be lost without either one.

I guess my major point is when you THINK you have your act together something comes along to show you just how falible you really are.

Like I said I know how to take people down...how to talk to suicidal people.....how to talk to victims.....how to console families...when to pull that weapon if needed.....whatever but I realized today that I haven't taken as much time as I should have to care of those that matter the most to me.

Friends...learn that...learn that first!

Whether it be your beloved wife, husband, kids, grand kids, your loved pets...whatever...show them tonight you care!

[PAPA G]

my GSD, Belle the "Blunder Dog" got a hold of old Mr. Toad couple years back. it was our evening walk, we both saw the toad and she was burning foot pads trying to check it out. i let her get close enough for a sniff, then she lunged mightly picking it up and she got a mouth full of anti-dog frog juice. same thing, foaming at the mouth, going nuts, but she didn't make like i was the bad guy. rubbing her muzzle in the grass. finally got her back in and she emptied the water bowl a couple times to get rid of the taste.

far as the clerk at the vets, they know squats. beyond the phone and filling out the billing.

at least you both are fine know.

[Shaun]

soiunds like you handled it right -- just make sure your buddies have had there shots up to date and those are the things you never have to worry about. The you can respond how you did in an informed manner.

[Snakebite]

Glad it turned out ok. I think I'd be making another call to that vet's secretary and tell her to learn a few things about animals.
I had a dog that died of distemper. He came from the pound and supposedly had all his shots. Within about 3 months he became slow, lethargic and finally started to lose his balance and fall over. Not once was he ever mean or vicious. I had to have him put down and the pound would not give me a refund....just another dog. Yeah right, like I'm going to get another dog from the pound!
I will bet that dog leaves the toads alone from now on. My sister lives outside of town and the toads really come out after a rain. Her dog will just watch them now. He also learned the hard way.

[7mmag6]

Same thing happened to me last time I went toad lickin

[Troy]

Dale, I wouldn't have wanted to be in your shoes. Dont knock yourself, when it came down to it, you had your head screwed on straight. Thats what counts. I like your post, it has excellent advice.

7mmag6, Stay away from the toads. You cant eat them. Or lick them.