One Dog's Toenail Is Another Man's Treasure

Isn't it a beauty? I know, I know, you're rendered speechless by it's magnificence. I was too when I found it. We were all at work on a SUNDAY a couple of years ago cleaning and doing inventory. I was bored and feeling sorry for myself when I happened upon this diamond in the ruff on a high windowsill I was dusting. I squealed with glee and summoned all of my co-workers over to view my prize. One of the docs recognized it immediately, she had trimmed it off some poor pooch months before, and placed it on the sill with the intent of returning for it later, but got busy and forgot about it. Understanding my fascination and joy (she shared my love of the grotesque and disturbing), and being the generous gal she was, she entrusted me with this encrusted jewel. She has since found other employment, but her memory lives on forever in this splendid spiral. I've cut my fair share of overgrown canine claws, but they NEVER get this long. They always break off first or grow into the crippled critter's pads. I've considered making it a necklace or a charm on a bracelet. Or maybe I'll start saving more and paste them into a picture, like arts and crafts with elbow macaroni. I'll have to think on it.

Funny side story. My husband and I were chatting the other night and I mentioned how I still had to take a picture of the toenail. "Screw you!" he says, all full of angst. I start laughing because I realize he thinks I'm talking about HIS toenail. "The DOG toenail, ding dong!" He's still perturbed that he was part of the plant piece. You see, he has a toenail that he hurt at some point (one of his BIG toes), and now it seems as though it's going to fall off. Only it's not black/blue/purple like you'd think it would be, it actually looks like it would glow in the dark. I would love to snap a pic of it and put it on here, but the fact that it's attached to six feet of angry mountain man makes that unlikely. Although he's a pretty deep sleeper.....