Cough it up

Setting: Backyard. Today.

Characters: 
Kim: The Girl.
Carrie Bradshaw: 6 year old bichon poodle mix.
Nina: 16 year old jack russell. 

Dogs lazing about the backyard... sitting on a blanket in the backyard, nibbling treats...

Nina: (gasps) Uh-oh...! Girl!... Girl! ACK! GIRL!! (starts walking crookedly...)

Carrie Bradshaw: (unconcerned) Girl could you come here a minute? The old one is being dramatic!

Kim: (hurries outside) Nina!

Carrie Bradshaw: (calmly chewing her rawhide) She might be having another seashore.

Kim: (hurries to Nina) I don't think this is another seizure Nina...

Nina: Tell "Fluffy" I- ACK!- that I -ACK!... ACK!

Kim: It's okay, Nina,.. I'm right here... (grabs Nina and calmly stabilizes her between knees and holds her gently by the neck)

Nina: Tell "Fluffy" that I- ACK!- that... ACK!... that I -ACK!

Kim gently applies a Heimlich maneuver with two fingers under Nina's rib cage. Nina coughs up a treat. The 16 year old jack russell instantly relaxes.

Carrie Bradshaw: (looks over) Did she just spit up a perfectly good treat?

Kim: (petting Nina) You're ok.. shh... you're ok...

Nina: (trembling) What just happened?

Kim: You were choking. I gave you the Heimlich maneuver.

Carrie Bradshaw: (mouth full of rawhide) You gave her BEER?

Nina: (sputtering) NOT Heineken! HEIMLICH! The Heimlich maneuver!

Nina see Carrie still chewing ...

Nina: Seriously??  (to Kim) She just SAT there?

Carrie Bradshaw: (eyes the rejected treat on the grass) Can I have that? (prances over)

Kim swiftly picks up the rejected treat, and the still trembling Nina...

Kim: Come on.... That's enough excitement for one day.

Carrie Bradshaw: (following) I'll say... who knew beer could help....

Nina: (still in Kim's arms) For the last time- not Heineken! Heimlich! (to Kim) Seriously, I thank you and I blame you. (glances at Carrie Bradshaw)

Carrie Bradshaw: She's gonna write about this, you know.

Nina: (sputters) Ooooh!.... Dammit!


©2013

*Please refer to the introduction post in this blog for explanation and inspiration behind this blog. Basically, as Nina gets older, she develops various medical problems; the more carefully I listen to what she tries to tell me, the more I can explain to the vet what is happening. Of course, this would carry over to any medical situation. And Carrie Bradshaw simply goes by her full name.