Close Call with a Sock

This past weekend, we drove up to Lancaster, PA with Fenris to see my friend Bob Sleeper for Christmas card pictures. Bob got some great portrait shots of all of us as well as some fun shots. Here’s one he took of Fenris doing long distance recalls.

What this happy dog picture doesn’t tell you is the story of what happened the night before. James and I had gone to bed late after a long night of dinner and wine in the hot tub with Bob and Sally. The plan was to get a good night of sleep, have a leisure Sunday breakfast, and take pictures.

Instead, we were woken up to the sounds of Fenris retching in his crate. The first time, he didn’t seem to throw up anything. The second time, a few hours later, came the sounds of something wet hitting the crate bottom. James got up to find a strange black thing in the pile of vomit. We couldn’t figure out what it was but, took it away and tossed it out. Another hour later (making this 3 or 4am), Fenris throws up AGAIN. This time, the other half of the strange black thing comes out. James sees a logo on it and realizes what it is that Fenris has eaten.

Let’s backtrack to Friday night: James had let Fenris sleep on the bed while I was away. Sometime that night, Fenris got bored, rooted through the laundry basket, and feasted on a black sock, leaving no trace of it in the morning. This is what he was now throwing up.

After that final retching session, Fenris happily went back to sleep with no ill effects, leaving us exasperated and exhausted.

We know it could have been so much worse. We could have had to go to an emergency vet, put the pup in surgery for an intestinal obstruction, and so many other things. Instead, his body purged it in a normal (albeit gross) method and he’s as happy as he can be (see photo).

So what have we learned from all this? Puppies belong in their crates at night when you can’t watch them (or if you won’t wake up at the slightest noise). Also, hide the laundry basket!