Blast from the Past: Azucena con Dupang

This is a column that could only be written in Baguio.

Where in the rest of the country where can you have dog and marijuana just around the corner? I mean, no one is shocked when they hear " marijuana" not like in Manila where " marijuana" is shocking but shabu is oh so blase.

I 've heard it too often here in Baguio. What 's wrong with marijuana? It grows in the ground not like shabu which is so artificial. I will not comment on this only because marijuana is still illegal here.

But then this is something you should read if you like to smoke you know and dogs. Not eat dogs but love them. As it turns out, marijuana is bad for dogs.

As those who smoke knows, you get to be very hungry after eating. A recent article from Los Angeles Times had it:

" Marijuana's action on humans is well understood: Once its psychoactive agent, tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC, is carried from the lungs or stomach by blood to the brain, it binds to nerve cells and activates the brain's pleasure centers. Effects include sensory sensitivity, motor impairment and an increased desire for Doritos."

Well, Doritos is still expensive here. Substitute that to Chippy or banana que or whatever you get the point. But here's the warning:

"The plant's effect on canines is considerably less benign. Even a few grams can cause staggering, vomiting, urinary incontinence and, in severe cases, seizures and coma."

The naughty LA Times article also noted that 43 million Americans own dogs while 23 million smoked pot at least once last year. Meaning, there must be someone there who left his stash somewhere and the stupid dog ate it.

This reminded me of someone in Baguio who is dead now who once served brownies to his parents and younger sister. The family were surprised their son could bake much more brownies. They were later brought to the hospital.

Which reminds me again. Because chocolates are also poisonous to dogs.

Chocolate contains theobromine, an alkaloid that dogs can't metabolize quickly. If a dog ingests a large amount of chocolate, the theobromine can build up and reach a toxic level of concentration, leading to cardiac arrest. Different types of chocolate are more harmful than others, and the effects will vary, depending upon the size and weight of the dog.

Needless to say, chocolates can be lethal to dogs. I once saw a young girl feeding chocolates to a small dog, I forbade the child and the mother threw dagger-looks at me.

I was in my understandable mood then and told the mother and child that chocolates can kill your dog.

Then it was the dog who stared back at me like it wanted to eat me or at least nibble my foot. What you love might kill you, doggie.