Last week, Tim and I had the awful experience of rushing our beloved Tulsa, black lab/veterinarian companion, to a veterinary hospital. True to her “eat everything at all costs” Black Lab mentality, it seems that when Tim shooed her out of a client’s grain room thinking she was eating cat food (a personal favorite!), she was gorging herself on D-con rodent poison!

We were at the appointment for about an hour and a half. Tulsa had been playing with our client’s lovely Yellow Lab, Lady. As we were packing up to leave and go to the next appointment, our client and her husband, realizing what had happened, came to tell us the news.

I receive compliments from clients that, after speaking to me in an emergency situation, I have made them feel better. When clients are frantic or consumed with concern for their horses, I remain calm and measured. I was on the other side of that coin now. My face fell not knowing exactly how serious D-con injections is for dogs, or the proper course of treatment. Tim and I jumped in the truck and drove as fast as we could to the nearest veterinary clinic. Tim hurriedly called our best friend, Chris, a small animal internist at Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston, MA.

Tulsa is fine. She actually was asking to play Frisbee that afternoon! Tim and I waggled our finger at her for the worry she caused us, and scolded her that she should look sicker! We are very grateful to Deb and Bob for their quick realization of what had happened to Tulsa. Time is important in these cases. We thank all Tulsa’s well wishers, especially Lady who sent a beautiful get well card for Tulsa. We thank our friend Chris, who comforted us and counseled us, calming me not as a veterinarian, but as a pet owner.