The Cone of Shame

We had just a few minutes before we had to leave for Co-op Spanish class.  The usual routine is to let the dog out for potty time while I go to the mailbox.  Della was sniffing around the leaves of our daylily bed when she suddenly jumped backwards and growled.  She was immediately ready to go back in the house.  Other than her being a little skiddish, I didn't notice anything unusual and we headed of to Spanish class.  We stopped at the grocery store on our way home and I was in the process of putting things in the fridge when Schnickelfritz yelled "It looks like Della's eye fell out."  Well, that will get anyone's attention in a hurry!

It hadn't fallen out, but it was hidden in the swelling and there was blood around the eye and on her snout.  After I got the perishibles put away, I put Della on her leash and we headed for the car.  Fritz was less than pleased about sharing the back seat with such a "feo" dog (we just learned feo means ugly in Spanish).   Rather than risk seeing the blood he turned his face to the window and cupped his hands around his eyes the entire trip to the vets.  I guess he won't be pursuing a career in medicine.

Fortunately there appears to be nothing wrong with the eye itself, but there is a gash on her eyelid.   We got some antibiotics and medicine for the pain and swelling.   Fritz covered his eyes for the trip home as well.  I couldn't help thinking about Hank the Cowdog and the case of the Double Bumblebee Sting (we have very small rattlesnakes and copperheads in the area, but I don't in fact know what attacked her).

At home we realized that she was trying to scratch the area and that would cause the bleeding to start again.  The Toolman had to make a trip to the big city to get a cone of shame for her to wear.  (we're big fans of the movie UP, in fact we've started calling her Luxo Jr. after the tiny lamp that comes out during the Pixar logo).