Thanks for the kind words - Max will say "thanks" too, when he wakes up.

I always take him for off-leash runs in the woods to get rid of excess energy. I thought I was being responsible - I take him far from roads and people so he won't get hit by a car or scare anybody. We don't have poisonous snakes up here, and I highly doubt he'd run into a bear or anything. I thought porcupines and skunks were nocturnal - it didn't even occur to me that he might be hurt.

The quills were all over. Some were stuck inside his lips, and they were poking up and rubbing his tongue. He also had one in his tongue - so his tongue was bleeding and he was very uncomfortable.

So - now I don't know what to do! I don't want to stop taking him for his long runs. He loves to run so much. But - I don't want to risk something like this happening again. Maybe earlier in the day would be better. It was about 4:00 pm - maybe the porcupine was waking up a little early today. Or maybe they're not nocturnal - I guess I'll have to look it up!