While the contents of a pet’s stomach may be comical, the health risks associated with animals swallowing things they shouldn’t is no laughing matter.

Nelson told ĂÛÌÒÊÓÆ”app best practices to help your curious pet from swallowing potentially harmful objects and warning signs to look for if it’s already taken place.

First and foremost, Nelson says time is of the essence when an animal has a nonfood item in its stomach.

“Pick up the phone, call your vet and say ‘I am on my way,’” Nelson said. “If we can catch this soon enough, we may be able to bring it out of the stomach. However, if its hours later, it could potentially already be down in the intestinal track, and there is no retrieving it easily that way.”

At this point in Nelson’s career, nothing surprises her anymore. But she still finds herself questioning why in the world an animal would find objects such as a fish hook or hair tie appetizing.

“You have to think, ‘Why in the world would you swallow that?’” Nelson said. “We always say dogs are bad decision makers. But it’s not just the dogs. Cats do it as well.”

Nelson said surgery is the most common option to remove an object from an animal once it is digested.

To avoid that route altogether, she advised picking up around the house and said to keep an eye on pets even if they have routine toys such as a bone or rawhide because those objects can be swallowed whole as well.

Signs that your pet may have ingested something foreign:

• Lethargy, depression
• Vomiting, lack of appetite
• Diarrhea, possibly with blood
• Abdominal pain/hunching
• Fever

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Hardutt Singh, vice president for Potomac Construction, was charged with one count of bribery by the Maryland State Attorney for Prince George’s County, according to a Wednesday announcement from the transit agency’s Office of Inspector General.

The attempted bribery took place in December of 2016, according to the indictment.

Singh’s company lists Metro as the top client on its website and has been contracted for several projects with Metro.

The Washington Post reported the company was recently awarded a  to rebuild and replace underground pipes connecting the Farragut North and Dupont Circle stations.

The case was a joint investigation between Metro’s Inspector General, as well as the FBI’s Washington Field office, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and Prince George’s County’s Office of the State’s Attorney.

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The heat advisory is in place from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday as temperatures reach 97 degrees, bringing the heat index — a measure of how hot it really feels, combining humidity with the actual air temperature — as high as 106.

The heat advisory is affecting the afternoon rush: MARC announced Wednesday afternoon that heat-related speed restrictions are in effect for the Brunswick and Camden lines, causing delays of 5 to 15 minutes.

• Check ĂÛÌÒÊÓÆ”app’s complete weather forecast.

The National ĂÛÌÒÊÓÆ”app Service issued the advisory for most of the D.C. area Wednesday morning from northeast Virginia through Baltimore.

The agency advised the public to reduce time spent outside, stay in the shade and stay hydrated.

A heat index around or above 100 degrees is considered dangerous, with a significant likelihood of heat-related sickness without proper care to limit exposure, according to the National ĂÛÌÒÊÓÆ”app Service.

Heat Advisory in effect from noon to 8PM today for areas in orange. Heat index values over these areas are expected to be between 100 and 105 degrees. Stay hydrated and limit outdoor activities. For additional information on heat safety please visit:

— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash)

Additionally, a is also in effect for the area.

A conveyor belt of hot air will propel the eastern half of the country as much as 15 degrees above normal temperatures for this time of year.

The high pressure system to the south means no rain or heat relief is expected Wednesday, though an approaching cold front will bring temperatures down to the mid-80s in the area by Thursday evening, possibly bringing showers and thunderstorms.

Current weather

Future forecast

Wednesday: mostly sunny, 97, heat index 103-106

Wednesday night: Muggy, mostly clear, upper 70s

Thursday: Partly cloudy, 94, 40% chance for late thunderstorms

Friday: Mostly cloudy, mid 80s, 60% chance for showers

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, mid 80s, 60% chance for showers

Sunday: Partly to mostly cloudy, near 90, 40% chance for showers

Labor Day: Partly cloudy, near 90, 30% chance for thunderstorms

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John DeWolf III, 63, was an avid music-lover and concert-goer. He was most proud of the renovation of Merriweather Post Pavilion, the local concert venue he helped transform before overseeing the sale of the outdoor amphitheater to a non-profit arts commission in 2016.

“John was an innovative thinker who not only understood the values of Howard County, but was able to incorporate these values into the redevelopment of Downtown Columbia,” said Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman.

“He was a great partner with the county and the community and I am saddened that he will not be here to see the final results. We will miss him.”

DeWolf joined the Howard Hughes Corporation in 2011 and quickly made his mark on the county and surrounding area.

“He possessed an extraordinary vision and had great expectations for Downtown Columbia. John will be missed but not forgotten — his legacy will continue to serve as an inspiration for all of us on the Downtown Columbia team, and at The Howard Hughes Corporation,” said Greg Fitchitt, senior vice president for development.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Susan B. DeWolf; four children: Jennifer D. Farber (Leo A. Farber), Rebecca DeWolf (Mike MacGregor) John E. DeWolf IV and Melissa D. Kaufmann (Sam Kaufmann); and five grandchildren: Leo X. and Alessandra Farber, Holland and Edward (Teddy) MacGregor and James Kaufmann.

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Costs of owning a dog are higher now than ever, with expenses averaging $153 per month to take care of a canine companion.

A “” survey of 1,500 adults conducted by Rover.com found that owners spend more than $1,800 per year on their pooches’ personal care.

Not all of that money is going toward chew toys and food, though.

Nearly half of all survey respondents said they would take their dog out for a special meal for its birthday, among other outlandish spending, including massages and “doga” (yes, yoga for dogs).

The results mirror a similar by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Related Gallery

Pet of the Week: 2018 pets

Pet of the Week is a weekly feature that highlights a pet available for adoption from D.C.’s Humane Rescue Alliance.

And the findings from the two studies come as more American households — 54 percent in 2017 — owned a pet than ever before.

All this is to say that the pet business is booming, especially that of veterinary care, which has turned into a $17 billion industry, .

With costs increasing and pet ownership at all-time highs, it has left many overwhelmed and ill-prepared for caring for their furry friends.

The AICPA survey found that nearly 25 percent of respondents admitted the cost of pet ownership was more than they initially expected.

“Owning a pet can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it’s also a long-term financial commitment,” said Greg Anton, chair of the AICPAs National CPA Financial Literacy Commission.

“It is important to incorporate both routine and unpredictable pet expenses into your budget to help ensure your own financial plan will not be disrupted.”

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The accident occurred at 7 p.m. just east of the junction with Maryland Route 404 in Talbot County, and blocked all lanes of U.S. 50 in both directions, according to the Maryland State Police.

An initial crash between a Mercedes and a Honda Civic spiraled into a four-car collision involving two other vehicles.

All four passengers of the Honda that was initially struck were taken to nearby hospitals, with two requiring transport to University of Maryland’s Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

In a tweet, the Maryland Department of Transportation described the incident as a “serious situation,” as a helicopter was called in to transport the two passengers.

Update. MEDEVAC is enroute. All lanes both directions remain closed. Please remain patient if you are returning home from the beach. This is a serious situation. jts

— MD State Highway Adm (@MDSHA)

The at-fault driver has been charged with negligent driving, police said in a news release.

At 9 p.m., MDOT reported the scene had been cleared and all lanes reopened.

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Jose Adalberto Sandoval Quinonez, 26, had admitted to the charge of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Federal prosecutors in Virginia said he persuaded a 12-year-old girl to have sex with him, among other lewd acts.

Sandoval Quinonez spent several months in 2017 chatting with the minor online after initially connecting with the girl on Instagram, prosecutors said. Then 25 at the time, he had told the young girl he was 16.

Prosecutors said he repeatedly asked her to take inappropriate and explicit pictures of herself and send them to him. He sent her inappropriate pictures of himself as well.

“Sandoval Quinonez groomed, persuaded, and enticed the minor to engage in sex acts, including sexual intercourse,” read a statement from the Justice Department.

He will serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Justice Department to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said its officers arrested Jose Orlando Mendoza Quintanilla, 39, as he waited for a departing international flight for charges stemming from a 2007 incident in Manassas.

While the original charge came from the Manassas Police Department, Mendoza Quintanilla also was wanted by federal authorities after he was ordered to be removed from the country in 2007 following his illegal entry into the United States, CBP said.

Chris Downing, a supervisor in charge of Dulles for CBP, said his office gets a copy of the passenger list for all international flights to scan for passengers with outstanding warrants.

When Mendoza Quintanilla tried to leave the country, he appeared on the list as having a felony warrant, Downing said; officers confirmed Mendoza Quintanilla’s identity, arrested him and turned him over to airport police, who then took him to the Manassas police.

“Felony sexual offense is a serious charge, and it is compounded by the age of the victim. This arrest illustrates Customs and Border Protection’s close cooperation with our law enforcement partners to return an allegedly dangerous fugitive to justice,” said Casey Durst, director of CBP’s Baltimore Field Office.

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Jennifer Abarca-Garcia who was last seen in the 1400 block of Whittier Street Northwest, just off Piney Branch Road, on Monday.

Police described Abarca-Garcia as Hispanic with light complexion, 5 feet tall, 120 pounds, with shoulder-length black straight hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing a pink short-sleeve shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with more information regarding Abarca-Garcia should call the D.C. police non-emergency line at 202-727-9099.

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