Labrador Takes Unplanned Detour After Sampling Ben Nevis Trail Snack
A Labrador's summit snack of discarded cannabis on Ben Nevis leads to a stretcher rescue and a sobering reminder that even scenic trails can harbor unexpected hazards.
A black labrador named Tokyo got more than she bargained for on a hike up Ben Nevis last weekend when she ingested discarded cannabis and promptly lost the use of her legs, drifting in and out of consciousness. Owner Christina Bluhme, a dog trainer from Esher, Surrey, was halfway up the 4,413ft (1,345-metre) peak when Tokyo began exhibiting symptoms. The Lochaber mountain rescue team stretchered the unconscious 25kg labrador down the mountain to a local vet. Bluhme described the experience as “one of the most frightening days I’ve ever experienced,” adding, “I genuinely thought I was going to lose her.” Fortunately, Tokyo made a full recovery the following day, with vets confirming the cause as cannabis left on the trail. Bluhme expressed gratitude to the rescue team and vets, and issued a reminder to fellow dog owners: “Please be aware that discarded drugs and other toxic substances can sometimes be found even in the most beautiful outdoor places.” The Lochaber mountain rescue team praised the vet team at Crown Vets in Fort William. According to Vets Now, dogs have more cannabinoid receptors in their brains than humans, making them more susceptible to marijuana's effects. Symptoms can appear within 30 to 90 minutes and include loss of balance, stumbling, inability to stand, dribbling urine, dilated pupils, and glassy eyes. This incident echoes a similar case in Somerset in 2024, where two dogs, Margot and Willow, became unwell after consuming cannabis-laced human waste in the Winscombe nature reserve.
The Good Times
News in your inbox.
One sardonic roundup, delivered on your schedule. Free. Unsubscribe whenever your tolerance for wit runs out.
Already subscribed but we never reach your inbox? Check your spam folder and hit 'Not spam' (or 'Remove from spam') to bust us out of junk-mail purgatory. You'll be helping everyone else too.
Don't open any of our emails for a month and you'll be automatically removed from the mailing list.
Rewrite Article
Select parts to regenerate with a fresh AI pass. Translations will be updated automatically.
Generate AI Image
Creates a sardonic version of the article image using OpenAI.