July 2009
Dog Meets Porcupine, Skeletool Saves the Day
On the hike out from a wilderness overnight, Dave, my 5 year old 65 lb Airedale, bounded into the brush. After a few whistles by me to no avail, I hear a yelp, and Dave returns on 3 legs with a paw full of quills.
We're about 4 miles from the trail head and Dave's whimpering in pain. One of my companions mentions he has a Leatherman Skeletool with pliers. While two of us hold him down, I by his neck and another by his hind quarters, our third companion gently removes at least a hundred quills from his paw and leg.
After a 1/2 hour Dave was limping, but on all fours, and slowly hobbled back to the trail head now bringing up the rear. Without the pliers, I'm not sure how we would have gotten him out of the woods as we were all carrying 30 pound packs. Thanks Leatherman.
Ben G.
Wynnewood, PA
OK, you voyeur, you. Enough of reading other people's stories. It's time you told your own tale of gripping heroism or even just neat DIY'ism. We know there's a Shakespeare in you somewhere. Don't make us use the Steens to find it.