Sometimes pets are such a pain

My mood is slowly improving, and the world is not looking as bleak as it was a week ago. Part of the reason for this, probably, is that we have a house guest/new family member. It's difficult to actually pin down what she is because we're waiting to see if anyone claims her. 

I'm thinking she's a new family member. 

Sunday evening, Steve called for me to come out on the back porch. I'm starting to understand what that tone of voice means. A skinny ginger cat was sitting in the carport meowing at him. Our son decided to go visit the cat, and she was very friendly. It was getting dark, though, so we came inside and assumed she'd go home. 

When we went to bed, "Meow! Meow! Meow! Meow!" Outside our window. It was below freezing, and there's predators everywhere. A smart cat does not announce her presence to coyotes! I took some old towels and blankets out so she could curl up in them, and a small bowl of food thinking maybe she was hungry and would shut up and go to sleep if she had a full belly. She took to the food like she hadn't eaten in days, but did not shut up. 

It was a long night. 

Come morning, I thought surely she'd gone home. Nope. She adopted us. 

Anyway, long story short, she's now living in the lounge in the dog kennel while everyone gets used to everyone. Right now she's exploring the lounge while the dogs are in the bedroom with Steve. Even Asha's not too upset about the new member of the family. 

But then, Toby happened. 

Yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, he was outside for a long time. He came to the door barking, ran down the hall to the bedroom (where Steve was), and, according to Steve, started freaking out. Steve looked and he was covered with ants! We got him in the shower, and Steve washed all the ants off him and we thought it was done. 

Silly us. 

He was still pretty wired, but seemed to settle down when I gave him a treat. Then, we went to the bedroom because it was time to have a soak in the spa. Until Toby threw up, twice, and then went comatose. Seriously. No response, just laying there eyes glazed over. I was pretty sure we were about to lose him. 

It took 40 minutes before he started coming right. He's fine now, but he gave us one heck of a scare. 

I've walked all over the yard, and can't find the ant's nest he got into. We're thinking it's under the house, so this weekend's project will be to block up the dog's access to get under there. 

Damned dog. We love him.