Whoa, 5 days just went by... I have been feeling terrible while the same time having a house guest. All I could do was get through my day and then collapse into bed at night. Went to the chiropractor Wednesday and that definitely helped. But for some reason my whole body ached for 3 days not just my back. Like pulling my back out affected all my joints, I don't know. Maybe it was all the rain??!
Anyway, feeling a bit better today and had my best day yet at the Artists Market in the Railyard. I was in the last spot again today but was determined to do well, and I was busy all morning. It felt so good not to be bored to death... And what a day it was, absolute perfection; sunny, warm, no wind or rain, just a perfect summer day...
I almost didn't make it, I was considering cancelling for today but decided late last night to get up and go despite the fact of a very sick dog. Dave is in Alaska and I just couldn't decide whether or not to leave Oso, our youngest Huskie, alone all day..
That morning on Friday, we went for a hike in the Galisteo Basin Preserve and for most of the morning it went really well; none of the 4 huskies ran off and Carl and I were having a good time. At the end of our hike I heard Oso bark, just once, and then he came running in with two puncture wounds on his face with two small drops of blood starting to ooze out and down his cheeks. I knew immediately he had been bitten by something and that most probably it was a snake. We hiked back to the car and drove home quickly. I could see in my rear-view mirror that is face was starting to change shape with extreme swelling. As soon as we pulled up I called the vet and was instructed to bring him in immediately. Easier said than done; Oso would not let me touch him and he screamed louder than I have ever heard a dog cry when I tried to get him in the car. It broke my heart to hurt him so, but I so desperately needed to get him to the vet's office..
On the way to the vet, Oso had started to pant heavily and drool uncontrollably. His face and neck were twice the size of normal. I figured if a cop stopped me for speeding out to Doc Callahan's office in Pecos, I would explain the circumstances and demand a police escort. Nobody stopped me and I got to Pecos in record time. The staff was incredible, they put all the other animals and their ailments aside while they worked to stabilize Oso. The question was whether to administer an anti-venom serum or see if he could survive without it. One vial of anti-venom is $700. but I knew I had to do it and I would figure out later how to pay for it... It has to be administered slowly or it can cause a reaction so I went to town and did errands while they slowly dripped the serum into his system.
Two hours later I returned and saw that indeed the serum had started to work and his breathing and swelling were starting to sound and look better. Later that night the Doc actually made a house visit to listen to his breathing and make sure he was continuing to improve. He told me it was good I brought him in so quickly and that initially it didn't look too good. He told me stories about other rattle snake bites and how some dogs made it and some didn't.
This morning Oso was looking better and even ate some food. I went off to town fretting but feeling like he was on the road to recovery. The vet called again this morning to make sure he was ok. I really need to do something wonderful for this man in gratitude for saving my dog and caring so much, but I haven't figure out what just yet.
Here is Oso after his treatment but still looking like a chickmunk...
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