A Bad Mushroom Trip

So we almost killed our dog. Yep, almost. We took her out for a walk and while she was sniffing for a proper location to relieve herself, she stumbled upon some mushrooms. As she wolfed down a cap, Reagan screamed and I dove at the dog reaching as far into her throat as I could. Of course, it was too late. We called our parents and the emergency vet clinic. The vet recommended we give Scout a tablespoon of hyrdogen peroxide and look for the mushroom to turn up, otherwise it would've already entered the intestines and we'd have big problems. It was a horrible thing. Forcing her to drink it and then watching her stumble around the back porch shaking and vomiting. I think Reagan and myself, were both sure that we were the worst dog-parents ever. The little trooper was amazing though. Not only did she only puke in the dirt around the patio but she went inside, took a nap for 2 hours and then woke up to eat some food and do some light playing.

So we did the right thing, saving our dog from a dangerous brown little mushroom. She is a puppy after all, very little would be required to kill her. We contacted a mushroom specialist in the area who provides identification via e-mailed photos of the specimen to confirm that while terrible for Scout, inducing vomiting was the correct action for us to take, those little brown cap mushrooms. He called us right after Scout had finished relieving every meal she had eaten under our roof. He cheerfully informed us, that we had nothing to worry about and that not only do humans eat this mushroom but our country's constitution is drafted in the ink of its spores! Our poor little Scout.

Its now been a week since this little event. And all thankfully is well.

Reagan:

Well... on a less depressing note, I started my job this week. I can't remember feeling this exhausted- waking up during the night with Scout, taking her on her 6:00am walk, and then working 9 hours a day is really taxing, but I love it. Just when I think I can't take another 5:30 am wake up call from the puppy I look at her and remember that she is completely adorable and totally reliant on us, and I feel a renewed affection for her. Every morning we walk between one to two miles. This is a picture of the terrace at Oakshade Town Center, where we walk every morning to get coffee and a dog bone.



So far, the job is great. I work in the toddler room at Russell Park Child Development Center as a head-teacher-in-training, with three other teachers (one head teacher, two assistants) and about 20 kids between 18 months and 3 years old. It's a riot. I love this age group because so many big things are happening- walking, talking, figuring out how to use a fork, potty training... lots of work, but there is always something new. I love my boss, she's the kind of person who goes the extra mile (or 10) to make sure everyone has what they need- even getting me health insurance after just a week of employment as opposed to the usual 90 days, and making sure I have a free parking pass, etc. Being so far from family, it's a comfort to know that there are genuinely sweet people looking out for me here too.

Chris's parents are planning to visit in early October, and my parents are planning to come in over Veteran's Day weekend in early November, and we can't wait to see the familiar faces we love! Best of all, today we bought a couch, so we won't have to sit on the floor! :)

We picked out a tan colored couch at Macy's in Sacramento, and got a really good deal on a green suede chair that Chris has been yearning for since we started furniture hunting. All in all it was a productive weekend. Also, Scout learned how to sit, and Chris starts orientation activities and TA training tomorrow.