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Almost Poisoned our Dog!

November 15, 2012 By Doug Francis

Cairn Terrier Vienna Virginia

Yes, he does look like Toto…

Understand that he was almost poisoned… but this situation did have me calling the dog vet in a panic.

Here is the gripping story.

One evening about four or five years ago after my wife and I had put the kids to bed and we were watching The Mentalist, we watched (in shock) as a tiny mouse ran across the room. He was really moving quickly and scurried under the basement door disappearing for good.

Ever had that happen?

So the next day I purchased some mouse traps and a box of Ortho mouse bait packets. Ortho baits work because the mice chew through the package, eat the bait and eventually die. Actually, the peanut butter on the mouse trap did the job!

When we got our dog a couple of years ago, I remembered those Ortho baits and picked them up and tossed them in the trash. All of them, so I thought.

On Monday morning while working in my home office, Skipper (our dog) came charging up the stairs with something in his mouth. Sensing something was wrong, I called for him to follow me to the fridge for what he knows is a platinum-level treat of cheese. He quickly ditched the white package and came running.

At that moment I picked up the package to see it was an Ortho mouse packet. He had punctured the packaging and there was the blue poison.

Oh ShiT!

Do you think you just poisoned your dog?

I quickly found the number for our dog vet at Great Falls Animal Hospital to get some advice.

They suggested that I contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately, (888) 426-4435. There is a $65 fee for the phone consultation, and after I gave them the DEA Control number off the package I knew that kipper was on the road to recovery.

Anyway, I decided that I should let my Northern Virginia clients know if they are looking for a new vet in their community that these are the two animal vets I have brought Skipper to:

  • Great Falls Animal Hospital ~ 703-759-2330
  • Town & Country Animal Hospital ~ 703-273-2110

Luckily Skipper was fine although he had to endure a little forced vomiting and get his blood tested twice. I understand that, for pet owners, their pets are truly family members.

I’m open to tips you might want to share here to keep your pet safe at home. ~ Leave a comment ~
Here is a quick video from a vet on the topic…


How to Tell if Your Dog Has Eaten Rat Poison — powered by ehow
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Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: Northern Virginia, real estate, Veterinarian

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house, we were thinking about raising the kids, updating, and building an addition. With our kids now out of college, our plans are looking at our next phase, especially after seeing friends move away and adjust their lifestyles.

So, what’s next after 25 years? It’s a conversation lots of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or move closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead to their new plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background… I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let me help you too: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

6808 BROYHILL ST
MCLEAN, VA
Photo of 6808 BROYHILL ST, MCLEAN, VA 22101 (MLS # VAFX2137956)
$2,499,000
49
  • Lot Size
    16,989 sqft

  • Home Size
    6,708 sqft

  • Beds
    6 Beds

  • Baths
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Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
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8807 HIGDON DR
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Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
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Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
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626 HILLCREST DR SW
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Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
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904 DALE CT SE
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Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
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Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
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10009 MURNANE ST
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Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
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Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
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Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
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  • 102 JAMES DR SE
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
    $2,199,888
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    10,019 sqft

    Home Size
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    Baths
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  • 2511 BABCOCK RD
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 2511 BABCOCK RD, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149442)
    $1,295,000
    Lot Size
    14,811 sqft

    Home Size
    3,240 sqft

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    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
    $1,088,888
    Lot Size
    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
    2,410 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 610 MEADOW LN SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
    $1,495,000
    Lot Size
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    Home Size
    3,368 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    6 Baths

  • 626 HILLCREST DR SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
    $3,600,000
    Lot Size
    23,523 sqft

    Home Size
    9,092 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
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  • 904 DALE CT SE
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
    $1,795,000
    Lot Size
    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
    4,937 sqft

    Beds
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    Baths
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  • 9838 CORAL BELLS CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
    $1,200,000
    Lot Size
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    Home Size
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    Beds
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    Baths
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  • 10009 MURNANE ST
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
    $3,300,000
    Lot Size
    21,780 sqft

    Home Size
    9,750 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
    9 Baths

  • 131 KINGSLEY RD SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
    $2,525,000
    Lot Size
    21,780 sqft

    Home Size
    7,793 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
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  • 3005 SPICE CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
    $599,000
    Lot Size
    1,307 sqft

    Home Size
    1,940 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

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