Two patients

It's time to give some support to [The Man I Love.] He has given me such support during my month of illness and surgery. He raced over to be with me the day I went to the ER; he's helped me with my dietary needs through out the month, and he brought me to the hospital and delivered amusements and comfort to me.

But today, he's dealing with another invalid.

Our Topanga fields and meadows are full of Hordeum murinum or the annual grass known as "wild barley" or "foxtails."

When the seeds dry, dogs can pick them up on their fur, between their toes, in their ears, or aspirate them into their nose or throat.

A couple of days ago, Jack began to show symptoms of having a foxtail in his mouth or nose - he began sneezing, shaking his head and working his mouth. So today, after my surgery yesterday, [The Man I Love] took Jack to our vet.

Like me, Jack will be given general anesthesia. The vet will go into his pharynx with tiny instruments, and take out the offending particle.

[The Man I Love] will pick Jack up when he's awake, and take him home to recover. Poor guy.

Jack sniffing the "Cecile Brunner" roses up the street

If only Jack would stay away from the foxtails and save his snuffling for the roses, like he did here.

They're so much more his style.

Give props to [The Man I Love] for his nursing skills.

Late update - Jack is now home and a little wobbly, says [The Man I Love.] They didn't find a foxtail in his nose or throat. The vet said it may be allergies - we've got the only Topanga dog with hay fever. Or maybe the foxtail has gone further up. She said watch him and if it's not better, she has to get a certain kind of instrument and try again.