Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Happy Barkday ta Toby..... Part II- Barkday Disaster

Hello ta all.....

We're still at the cottage and I wanna tell ya me 'n Toby aren't feelin' too well as of late.....well, Toby feels better 'n me right now but he wasn't doin' too good lately either.....

After the Barkday party 'n eatin' our yummy cake...we went up ta Uncle Donny's cottage ta chase around the crab apples like we love ta do in the evenings. Uncle Donny is at his cottage right now so we visited fer a spell with him....'n it was gettin' ta be pretty dark. Gram and Pap were standin' there talkin 'n talkin' when we shoulda been walkin' and walkin' and so we got bored and saw somethin' in the trees just off the driveway. We went in ta see what it was.....Can ya guess what it was??????


See that??? That's a PORCUPINE.....




"n we don't like 'em around here...cause this is our space...'n not his space....why he's an intruder fer sure...... yes siree...'n he needed ta be taught a lesson...our space here....his space somewhere else......
Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators. Most porcupines are about 25–36 in (630–910 mm) long, with an 8–10 in (200–250 mm) long tail. Weighing between 12–35 lb (5.4–16 kg), they are rounded, large and slow. Porcupines come in various shades of brown, grey, and the unusual white. The name "porcupine" comes from Middle French porc d'épine "thorny pig". Porcupines' spiny protection resembles that of the distantly related Erinaceomorph hedgehogs and more distantly related Monotreme Echidnas.


All defend themselves with hair modified into sharp spines. Porcupines' quills or spines take on various forms, depending on the species, but all are modified hairs coated with thick plates of keratin, and they are embedded in the skin musculature. Old World porcupines (Hystricidae) have quills embedded in clusters, whereas in New World porcupines (Erethizontidae) single quills are interspersed with bristles, underfur, and hair.


Porcupine quills are as sharp as needles, detach very easily, and will remain embedded in an attacker. Unlike needles, however, the quills of New World porcupines have microscopic, backwards-facing barbs on the tip that catch on the skin making them difficult and painful to extract, though they must be removed. Quills are about 75 millimetres (3.0 in) long and 2 millimetres (0.079 in) wide. If a quill becomes lodged in the tissues of a would-be attacker, the barbs act to pull the quill further into the tissues with the normal muscle movements of the attacker, moving up to several millimeters in a day. Predators have been known to die as a result of quill penetration and infection. Quills are still capable of penetrating animals and humans even after death. [1] Quills are released by contact with them or they may drop out when the porcupine shakes them, they are not sprayed out.


Know what??? We didn't want that porcupine ta be there and so we tried ta get it ta go away....actually we tried ta kill it and we did.......but if ya read about what that animal does ta defend itself.....you'll understand why then we looked like this.......

And Toby looked like this......
My Mom got inta the fight at the end and so she didn't have many quills in her and while Gram was inside makin' arrangements fer an emergency visit ta the vets, Uncle Donny and Pap pulled the quills outta her with a pair of pliers. Gram and Pap took us all ta the vet in Franklin, Pa which takes about 45 minutes ta get ta from the cottage. The Vet had ta put me 'n Toby under anesthetic ta get the quills outta us. Here's Toby after he was de-quilled and still groggy from the anesthetic..... we had ta get shots of antibiotic too ta make sure we didn't get any infection later.


I was under the anesthetic here and the Vet was pullin' out those horrible quills.....
And then I got ta rest just like Toby while I was still groggy.......
Oh, woe is me.....woe is me......I felt terrible after that anesthetic wore off....feelin' right puny and just tired. I took ta my sick bed. Gram had ta feed me by holdin' my bowl fer me and my water too. She made popcorn last night and I wanted some but was just too sick ta get up. Gram brought me some.

I'm still am usin' my sick bed taday.....my one foot hurts and I don't want ta use it. So what's the good part about all this????? The PORCUPINE IS DEAD!!!!! We killed it!!!!!!

Gee, I sure hope I remember that good part until I feel good enough ta get up and play again....

This is Dewey Dewster reportin' from my sick bed outside Titusville, Pa............

33 comments:

Gus said...

oh my oh my.....you are so brave and such great hunters, but you look so unhappy full of the critter's quills...sheesh.

We hope you feel lots better soon. Best check that footie that hurts, you might still have a little tiny piece of quill left or something.

gussie

Jackson's J1 and J2 said...

OHMYDOG! I can't believe you killed a porcupine! Good job! Those quills sure look painful, so you must have been very brave. I hope you're both feeling better now pals. J x

Asta said...

Dewey
You and Toby suwe awe bwave..being a city dog I nevew see such things..it's like you'we gweat huntews in the wild ow something..those quills in youw schaz look vewy paingul..west up little fwiends and feel bettew and dweam of youw glowy
smoochie kisses
ASTA

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

Oh my gosh!!!! This post scared me a lot. Are you and Toby ok? I have never seen such a thing and to think that this porcupine could have been one of my friends.....I think I should stay far away from porcupines. I sure hope you the pain goes away soon!
--JB

Oorvi said...

Hi Dewey,

I think both you and Toby are very brave and courageous, and that the Porcupine shouldn't have ventured into your place at all...but courage needs the company of logic:) I guess you hadn't ever seen a porcupine before, and so you didn't know how dangerous he could be!

I am sure that you and Toby will never repeat it:)

When I saw your pictures with those quills sticking out (or in?) I could almost feel the pain! I can imagine how you must be feeling. But you look much better in that last picture:)

Recover soon...my friend!

Love, licks, and wags,

Oorvi

Mr. T-Bone Beasley said...

Oh my crap!!!! I can't believe the porcupine fool got you both! I'm so glad you are okay though! The vet bill must have been huge after you guys got all fixed up!

You look so sad in your towels all covered up.

That's it...I'm sending out lots of ESP to you both...and I'm gonna send out some bad vibes to all those evil procupines...at least you guys took care of one those stinkers!

Hope you both feel much better really soon!

Slurp!
Mr. T-Bone Beasley

Lorenza said...

Hi, Dewey!
OMD! I really hope you and Toby are doing well now!
Those procupines look cute in the pictures but sure are mean!
Please take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Lacy said...

w00f's dewey and all, me seed u on momo and pinots bloggie, dat toby had a barkday last week...soooo me comed to say happy late barkday...me iz sooo sorry u gots all those spears in u boff...me shure hopes u feel better soon...

b safe,
~rocky~

Noah the Airedale said...

OH MY GOD.............
That is soooo bad. You poor things. D got the shock of her life as she scrolled down to see all those awful awful quills sticking out of you both.
Crikey Toby, that's a birthday you wont forget for a while...
We hope you're all ok now. Stay away from those procupines!!!!

tailwags
Noah

Urban Smoothie Read said...

oh poor guys... i will freak like shit if i got stick by porcupine like that...

is definately a lesson to learn... i will imprint the nasty animal's image in my brain from now on

Toffee said...

Oh no! That looks soooo painful - oh you poor babies! I hope that you are feeling better today. I know that the porcupine was an intruder but please be careful because they can be very dangerous!

Oh I hope you are feeling better sweeties!

Robynwire's Abbey said...

OMG Toby! Mom and I can't believe the pics of what the terrible porcupine did to you!!! :( I sure hope you are feeling better soon and that I never come across one of those evil things. Good job on the kill though ;)
Your wirey friend, Abbey.

Abby said...

Hi, Dewey...

OMdoG...That looks sooo painful...I don't think I will ever try to kill a porcupine...

That must have hurt really bad...& going to the Vet is no fun...

I'm sending Good Lhasa Vibes to you & Toby & your Mom...

Thanks for sending good wishes when I was sick...They really helped me feel better...

abby xxxooo

Chef said...

Oh no!! You poor doggies! What did that awful porcupine do to you? It must have been so painful. I hope you never, ever run into one of those little beasts again but if you do, IGNORE IT! Promise me! Feel better soon, my friends.

xox
Chef

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Oh my...Dewster...I am coming up to ur cabin immediately to provide nursing care for you, Tob and ur mom...oh my...how brave you all were...we can't believe ya killed it...and we can't believe how many quills ya had stuck in you...

OH MY...I actually...(Lacie shakes her head in disbelief) feel a tad faint...Scruff and Stan passed out at the first pic.

I think I'm going to go and lie down and put a cool cloth on my face...

Now...rest, drink plenty of fluids...take ur pain medicine...I hope they gave ya some...and maybe the next time leave the darn thing alone...

Very sympathetic barkies...

Laciegirl

Joe Stains said...

omdddoooog! you guys are my heroes! SO BRAVE!! Those porkypies are HORRIBLY mean to do that to you :( We are sending healing vibes to you guys!

Willow the Black Dale said...

Dewey although I think you and Toby are brave for protecting your "space".....what are you 2......crazy? Ouch that had to have hurt guys!!!
Pilar couldn't take it she ran to her bed and hid under the covers. Mommy ran for the coffee but I stayed and looked at the pawful pictures. I am so happy it won't be there next time. It didn't have kids right......
Do as Lacie says and you will be fine in NO time.
Dale smooches,
Willow

Dexter said...

You little dudes are fearless. I was just reading along, but never expected to see your square faces all full of quills... and you killed the hapless rodent as well?

You two are a couple of maniacs. I'm glad you're feeling better. Bet you would do it all over again if you had the chance.

Slobbers,
Mango

Eric said...

Dewey, oh Asta, and Toby. I can't believe that nasty Mr porky pine did that to my pals, how dare he, I'm very glad you killed him, you are all very fearless and brave.

I'm so sad for you and Moms gone all leaky looking at those terrible pictures of you both...we are very worried for you.Those quills were right near your eyes, are they ok? And are you feeling better? And Gram and Pap too cos I bet they were in shock seeing you like that. Please never ever go near them nasty things again, promise.

Worried wags, your al Eric x

Luna "The Scruffy Yacht Dog" said...

Dear Dewey, Toby, and Asta,

That is terrible, very frightening pictures. I hope you all are feeling better. You are very brave hunters. I will never tangle with one of those critters. No more porcupines for you guys.

Get well soon.

Luna Licks

Koobuss said...

Dewey, Toby, and Asta Marie,

We are so sorry to hear about your encounter with the nasty old porkypine. WOW!! They sure are ugly critters, too.

You guys are terrific to hang in there like that. Those photos are very upsetting to look at. You must have gone through so much pain. What an awful ordeal. We are glad to hear that Toby is feeling a little better and we know that you will feel better soon, too, poor little Dewey. And, how is your mom, Asta, doing? Did she get an antibiotic, too?

I think that you guys should spend more time in the city. It seems to be safer there.

Best wishes to all of you for a speedy recovery. Hope you are up, running around, and playing soon.

Love and Lots of Koobuss Kisses,
Koobie and Family

Oorvi said...

Hi Dewey,

I hope all the quills are out now.

About the book...
Haven't thought of the publishing mechanics yet! Have written a few pages...I'll start thinking about the publishing part once I'm at least half way through!

Licks n wags,
Oorvi

Girl Girl Hamster said...

Oh dear Dewey and Toby. That is so scary... I hope you doggies are ok and better now..

~ Girl girl

Molly the Airedale said...

OMG, we've heard horror stories about porcupines! How horrible for you! Our paws are crossed that you heal fast!
We're glad to hear that the sucker is dead!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Rudy said...

Awooowooowooooorrrrraawwwww.... I feel awful for you! You guys looked so sad with a snootful of quills. I can see how you would get them though; when it's a wild critter invading your space even I would get into it. Then my Mom would go nuts! I hope you're up and about by now. That porky got what he deserved!

I think you should stick to rats, they don't bite nearly as hard as porky spines do...

Rudy

Agatha and Archie said...

OMG!!! We don't read the blogs for a week and look what happens!!!!!!!!!!!!Oh you poor things!! that looks really really painfull..... what a shocker!! We hope that you are feeling better...oh dear ohdear ohdear..Love and kisses A+A

Jake of Florida said...

Whoa,

We hadn't checked in with you for a few days, so we're just now seeing your sad-looking mugs with those quills. How awful. How painful.

But if the intruder got the worst of the battle, then we guses justice prevailed.

But owwwwwwww!!

Wirey love, wirey pals,

Jake and Just Harry

(Special wiifs to Ms. Asta Marie from me, Jakey!!)

Jake of Florida said...

That's woofs, not wiifs!!!

Jake

Sammy's Space said...

Hi - oh my gosh those quills look awful! I hope you are ok. I used to have a blog here and stopped and I miss all my friends, so I am back. When you feel better, I hope you will stop by my blog and say bark. Take care and get all better.

Dexter said...

Dewey, hope you are recovering. Come and visit me. I gave you an award for being so brave.

Slobbers,
Mango

Chef said...

Just checking out your blog to see how you're feeling. I didn't like that there's no post since that bad porcupine quilled you. I sure hope you are both feeling better.

xoxo
Slobber licks and big hugs.

Chef

Oorvi said...

Hi Dewey,

How are you?

We are worried. I hope you and Toby are both fine. I haven't heard from you in the last three days (which is a first!)

Please add a couple of lines to your blog telling us how you and Toby are doing.

Licks n Wags,
Oorvi

Abby said...

Hi, Dewey...

Just stopping by to see how you guys are doing?

Are you feeling better...Me & my Mom are getting worried...

Abby xxxooo

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