Your dog might be eating this right now
So here's the thing about Utah — you get used to the extremes. We're talking about everything from the inversions that make the valley air thick enough to chew, to the way the sun just *hits* the Wasatch Front after a fresh snow. But one extreme I didn't see coming this year, and neither did a lot of other folks, is the explosion of foxtail weeds. Turns out, this warm winter we just had? It wasn't just good for getting an extra ski day in at Alta; it was apparently a five-star resort for these nasty little weeds, and now they're everywhere.
**What's the Big Deal with Foxtails?**
For those who haven't had the dubious pleasure of dealing with them, foxtails are not your average backyard nuisance. They’ve got these barbed seeds that can work their way into just about anything. And when I say anything, I mean it:
* Between a dog's paw pads * Up their nose or into their ears * Even, and this is where it gets really unsettling, under their skin
I heard about a Herriman resident, Joanne Bolnick, whose dog Tucker started acting strange. Sure enough, it was a foxtail. This isn't just a minor irritation; these things can cause serious infections and require vet visits that are anything but cheap. They're popping up in parks, along hiking trails in Big Cottonwood Canyon, and even in people's perfectly manicured Sugar House lawns.
That's the Crossroads, friends — greatest snow on earth and the weirdest liquor laws. Look, we love our pets here in Salt Lake City, and seeing these foxtails making a comeback with a vengeance? It’s a real kick in the teeth. Keep an eye on your furry friends, especially if you're out walking them near Liberty Park or down by the Jordan River Parkway. These things are stealthy, and they're not going away anytime soon.
Jen and the guys are probably already talking about this; catch them live on the Morning Wire at mornings.live.