[Lara's mom]

So, the other day we are all outside in the park playing ball. Many throws, catches and returns later, along comes Lance with blood pouring out of his mouth. Being the "nervous mother" that I am, I was frantic. I tried to get a look in his mouth to see what on earth had happened to him. His jaws were clenched like a vice grip and because I have bad arthritis in my hands, I was unable to pry them open to get a look. I was afraid that he'd somehow broken a tooth.

So, off to the vet we went. I explained Lance's tale of woe to Chris; the receptionist at the hospital we go to. He assured me that if his tooth is indeed broken, he can have a root canal. Who knew they actually do doggie root canals?

Anyway, as it turns out, all of his lilly white choppers were fine. The Dr. figured he somehow chomped down on his tongue, hence the alarming amount of blood. So, one oral examination, one antibiotic injection, one pain killer injection, one tin of Wellness Duck and potato pate style food and $127.00 later, we went home secure in the knowledge that he would not be "dentally challenged."

Thank the Goddess I have medical insurance!!! Lance is without the clumsiest dog I have ever met. At six months of age, he still trips over his own big feet. When he runs, he often trips and rolls "a** over teakettle." I am terrified that one day he will break a leg!

Anyway, it was a happy ending. Lance is fine. Until I get the insurance cheque, my bank balance...not so much.

[cigwyllt]

Poor Lance. Sometimes it seems as though they borrowed the body for the weekend and haven't grown into it yet!

We had a similar thing yesterday - Manny drew blood from my youngest daughter! Not using his teeth but his head! He tossed his head to try and lick her nose, bashed her chin and she bit her tongue. Blood everywhere, panicky dog trying to lick her and make it better!

[Lara's mom]

Oh dear! I bet the poor dog felt awful about it. Lance pulled a somewhat similar move on me a month or so ago. He took a flying leap at me when I was sitting on the sofa watching the TV and gave me a nosebleed!

[cigwyllt]

Manny is very licky at the best of times so in a situation where he feels he has done something wrong and someone is upset he is desperate to appease them so it was quite a struggle to keep him off her!

I just love these dogs so much though - I forgive him anything (mind you, it wasn't my tongue that was sore!)

[Lara's mom]

I know what you mean. These little dogs are just bursting with love for their people. When Lance gave me the nosebleed, he was so upset, he took off under the bed and it took me at least 15 minutes to sweet-talk him out from under there.

The poor little guy can't help being clumsy. He's still a puppy. I'm just awfully afraid that on one of his "trip and rolls", he's going to break a leg. However, I can't not let him play ball. It would break his little heart.

[cigwyllt]

Manny was incredibly clumsy as a pup - I was a bit worried to be honest that there could be something wrong with him. I've never known a dog to fall over like he used to. Good job he's a short legged boy - nearer to the ground!

[Lara's mom]

My Jacks are also shorty's but the way he sometimes goes flying, it just scares the hell out of me!!! I haven't even considered that there is anything wrong with him. I just figured he was clumsy, unlike his sister Lara (my other shorty Jack) who is as graceful as they come. I put it down to his being still a puppy although Lara was never like that.

[Todd]

Oh wow! Glad everyone's alright. Yes, biting the tounge will draw a lot of blood because it mixes with the saliva. Makes it look a lot worse than it actually is. Glad everyone's alright though.

[Lara's mom]

Thanks Todd. My vets office refers to me as "nervous mother"...

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

Thanks Todd. My vets office refers to me as "nervous mother"...

LOL... That's too funny...

[Lara's mom]

Not too long ago, there was an article in the newspaper about that new "canine flu" that's going around. So, of course I called the vets office to ask about it. Chris, the receptionist said he was sorry he didn't start an office pool on how long it would take me to call. He's convinced he would have won...