parasites on my dog

Question
I just noticed my dog has two fairly large looking (parasites) on her.  I am concerned and it is too late to call a vet.  My husband believes she may have contracted them over our weekend hike.  I would think of it as a tick,  but i'm not sure that is what it is.  It looks as though it has it's head buried in her skin with a big fleshy butt hanging out.  I thought ticks were black and hard.  These look grayish and fleshy.  Is there any site we can go to that you may know of that would show pictures of animal parasites, or possibly know what it is by my description.  One is on top of her head and the other on the side of her neck under her ear.  I am worried they will make her sick.   I know with ticks you can often put a lighter to it and it will back out and wondering if that would be the case with these.  Thank you!

Answer
Hi Amy,
  It does sound like those are ticks. You can put a big scoop of vasoline or mineral oil on the ticks. This will smother them and they should back about. After putting the vasoline on the ticks I wait for like 5min. Then you can try to remove it yourself or take her to a vet. in the morning and ask them to remove the ticks. The thing is you want to make sure the head of the tick is removed. So...if you want to do it at home you can get some tweezers to remove the tick, grab as close to the skin as you can even if you have to pull alittle bit of you doggies skin along with the tick, at least you'll know you did get the head. The head usually is black. If you don't feel comfortable take her to the vet. and maybe one of the vet. assistants there can pull the tick off for you.  
The tick if fat and gray because it has been sucking blood. Gross... I know. I don't think you have to worry about Lymes disease, this disease is transmitted by the deer tick and this tick is brownish in color and very small. If anything after the ticks are removed, her skin will be red and inflammed for a few days. You can clean the ares with soapy water and put some Neosporin on the areas. You might even want to go ahead and get a good flea and tick control like Frontline or Revolution. Spring hasn't even started yet and you have ticks already. So go ahead and get her started on a preventative. Take care and good luck.

p.s..
Don't do the lighter trick (smile)