This is Cactus Country

So I'm on the phone with Mom this morning

and Mercy says "Mommy Mommy!"

What? 

What NOW?

"Thelma has cax tus in her"

Uh huh

So I glance out on the porch 

and say to Mom

"I gotta go"

Thelma got into the cholla pretty bad

She got a couple yesterday

sneaking out whatever hole the dogs 

have dug under the fence this week 

it's top of my list to fix today

I thought she learned her lesson but 

oh no

she came back 10 times worse today

Thelma fiercely trying to get. it. out.!!!

Cholla is barbed

and some of you may remember Mercy getting into it

that required a trip to the ER

Thelma was borderline for a vet visit

but I opted to do it myself

If Blogger lets you, blow this up for a good view

It's bad

There were big chunks of cholla in her *ahem* back end

yes, in the bad places to have cactus

Thelma says "Please, please help me"

When they try to pull it out of their legs

it sticks in the roof of their mouth, lips and gums

Really really horrible

It hurts A LOT

The front paws

I spent an hour by hand

plucking and pulling these out

I got most everything 

I went over her by touch and turned 

it into a massage

which Thelma seemed to appreciate

She is now right here under my desk

Probably thinking 

"That sucked a whole lot"

Me?

I decided if this is the way today is going to be

10:30 a.m. is not too early for a Kahlua milkshake

No worries, I'm sharing with Thelma