Category: Fur kids

Dakota Update

4/26/09 – The vet never called yesterday. I’ll be going down tomorrow.

4/24/09 – Spoke with the vet this morning. There are some problems, and she may have to have a second surgery to remove the “dead” skin on Monday. She pulled out the drain on her back that they were using to flush the wound. They tried the collar, but it stressed her too much. Her red blood count is not recovering as it should, so they will be doing some tests to find out what that is. She is eating very well, walking better, and feeling better, over all, and everyone loves her, she is a sweet dog, they say. I just want her home!

4/23/09 – The vet just called, and Dakota continues to improve greatly. She is “brighter” today than yesterday, is wagging her tail more, and has a great appetite this morning, and is walking better. There is a “slight” chance she could come home for the weekend, but I called and said given the 3 other dogs, the rural, dirty, dusty nature of my place, Monday would be better for her. I would really like the tubes out before I bring her home, as much as I miss her. I don’t want an infection or relapse! I really want her home, and miss her terribly, but reality is Monday, I am hoping.

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I went and saw my dog, Dakota, today. That was so very difficult. I did take my winter sweater, full of my smells. I am so grateful for the suggestion. I am sure it will help her. Hasn’t been washed in quite a while.

I expected her to be happier to see me, but she was so hurt and in so much pain, it pained me. She did wag her tail, some, and did give me kisses when I asked.

I got down on the floor with her (my ex said, “don’t do that, you are going to get blood all over you!” I said, “I don’t care.” But I was grateful he offered to go with me. It was so emotional.) She has a tube going in the top through which they put sterilized water to cleanse the inside of the wound, and, of course, a drain out of which is coming lots of blood, pus, and the water. She has an IV catheter on her leg, as she gets several IVs a day. Her belly looks like she is feeding a dozen puppies, her teats are so full and swollen. She has about 40 stitches, maybe more. She may need a second surgery to remove the dead and dying tissue. She won’t be coming home before Monday.

The good news is, no broken bones, no internal injuries, no gangrene, and no amputations. It will just take some time for her to heal. She is eating, goes out to pea, and walks around, albeit with quite a limp.

I will upload a couple of photos of my baby as soon as the internet allows. They don’t really show the injuries, as that is in the groin area, but they show the top, flushing tube, the shaving, and my sweetie. Thanks, to the ex for thinking to take these for me!!

What she went through to get home to me is beyond remarkable. We are so connected, and the psychic communication was incredibly strong.

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Happy Earth Day-show Mother Earth some lovin’

Hey, what happened to the cool down? It’s as hot as ever up here! Now, go plant a tree, pick up some trash, or care for her critters! Better yet, plan your solar system.

Going to visit Dakota in the doggie hospital. I am taking her my winter sweater, full of smells of me. She can’t come home until at least Friday, maybe Monday. The damage was worse than the vet thought. *Sigh* 🙁

Life in the Wilderness, 4/20/09

Two stories, and I will try to keep them short, but hopefully interesting.

Remember my post a few days about about trespassers? Wow, did that spark some debate at the Ventana Wilderness Alliance. So far, it is about even between those outraged by my declarations re my private property rights, and those who defend my right to be suspicious of trespassers, with those supporting me gaining a slight lead.

I had no idea people could get so het up about my private property rights. It got really hot today, and I don’t mean the weather. Some posters are very supportive, and others, not so much. Funny, sort of like the trespassers I meet up here: some nice, some not so.You can follow the whole debate; the good, the bad, and the ugly here: 

Ventana Wilderness Forums • View topic – Private Property & Silver Peak Wilderness.

Second, you remember when Dakota was missing for 3 days and I found her shut inside a storage trailer? Well, she’s been missing again. For four days. I didn’t post, as I just KNEW she would come home.

On Thursday, I went to town for an overnighter. Dakota absolutely has to be kept locked inside the first day, or on a leash, otherwise, she will come looking for me. Once, about 3 years ago, she went to the school, 5 miles away. So, she always gets locked up. This time, the dog sitter left the door open and she, naturally, being Dakota, went running off to look for me. When I got home, I combed the area on Saturday. Went to the campground, went to the school, went to Sand Dollar, checked the sides of the road, nada. 

Today, just after noon, Dakota showed up with no fanfare. She came in the open door, and laid down at my feet. I jumped for joy, and then noticed she was all tore up, not walking right, and had a major gash. I rushed her to the vet. Seems she was hit by a car. Her wound was filled with maggots. Four days with little or no food or water, a hip and/or leg that may be broken, and yet she made it home, five miles and 3200 ft in elevation from the highway where she was probably hit. She is in the doggie hospital tonight, and will undergo surgery tomorrow, but the vet is confident she will survive. My dog sitter might not, however.

Dogs are just the most amazing critters, aren’t they? Dakota, the Wonder Dog!!

I have an orphan

Four or five days ago, my feral cat had kittens in my old, non-running Rover. I thought it was a good, safe place, but for whatever reason, Mama did not, and moved the kittens. All but one. When it had been alone for six hours, with no sign of mama, I rescued it. Mocha is living in a box with me, being bottle-fed. The one and only time I tried this before, I wasn’t successful, but I did not have the special milk nor bottles then. I do now. Maybe I will succeed this time. Maybe not. maintaining the 90 degree temperature required is impossible. All I can do is keep her covered up, and hope.

Blessed and Humbled

I am so blessed, and so humbled. Dakota is ALIVE!

I found her locked up in a storage trailer. No food, no water, but safe from mountain lions and the rain she hates.

I am pretty deaf. Dakota helps me hear. She wasn’t here to help me, and she hasn’t trained the others. I will wager that will change.

I am blessed and I am humbled. Personally, I don’t like drama, I like comedy. Dakota is back, and that is what is important.

To all of those drawn into my drama, I apologize. And for all my friends who supported me through a very tough time, I am more grateful than you can know.

But more than anything, my blessed Dakota is with my physical being, as well as my spiritual one.

Damn, life in the wilderness can be dramatic.

Healing …

… is a funny thing. Tonight, I find myself smiling at all the wonderful memories I have of Dakota, almost as much as I cry. I remember what happened on Saturday morning, and realize that she was a warrior dog, protecting her pack. 

And the pack is busy reassigning her various roles. Believe it or not, Dakota, after just a few times watching me, took over the role of picking the ticks off her puppies, Miranda and Bear. Now, that role is mine, once again. Miranda, the female, has taken over Dakota’s job of sleeping in my bed. The problem is, Miranda snores. Dakota did not. Bear, her male puppy, is the only one who has the warrior’s heart, like Dakota. I am waiting to see if he assumes the role of protecting the pack. And Gideon? Well, Gideon is like the male lion. He is mostly for show. He is loving, and beautiful, with a lion’s mane. But courage? Protection? Those aren’t his strong points. He is more of a clown and people-pleaser. He would take over the bed routine, but with his long hair, I prefer the only other short hair in the pack besides Dakota.

It helped me tremendously to find my favorite photograph of Dakota. Now, I can see her whenever I choose. It also helped to have received SO many expressions of care and condolences from my friends, near and far. I treasure the understanding so many of you offered in private emails. 

Some may think that my loss was not great. “She was only a dog.” I never heard from those people. I heard from “dog people” who know that these pets are like our children. These loses are monumental.

But tonight, finally, I can look at her photograph, which is now my computer desktop, and smile at the love and beauty and laughter she brought me. Her spirit lives in the memories I have, as Sandy so eloquently put it in her poem. 

And maybe, as Diane said, when it is my time to go, she will be there to greet me, with that smile of hers — oh, yes, she smiled — and that wagging tail, and that gentle pawing she did when she wanted my attention. I am so very lucky to have had her share her joy with me for as long as she did.

Thank you, everyone, for your support these past three days, and I promise, more joyful — or at least factual — posts to follow. And thank you for allowing me to publicly express my grief in this blog. 

And damn, I might have to post more about my other three dogs, too, and friends, and family, and music and art. You know, all the things that matter in life. It is just too short. Give a fur kid a hug for me, will ya’?

In Memory of Dakota

This is the photo I so love of her. I had lost it on my computer, but fortunately, I had previously posted this to my blog, and was able to download it, and recover it for my files. She was such a beautiful dog, and such a great companion for six years.

dakota-at-sunsetAnd from my friend, Sandy Krenkel who sent me this yesterday:

For Dakota

 

Into our lives they come

Bounding with joy & love

Their spirits creep into our souls

They are a gift from above

 

They don’t come

With any guarantees

They do bring un-conditional

Acceptance that’s totally free

 

Some bring us confidence

And help our self-esteem

Others are sent to teach us

A specific lesson it seems

 

Their eyes made us feel special

Their wagging tails made us smile

Yes, they brought great joy

If, only for awhile


We risk it all

When we love so deep

But with no risk

No memories to keep.

SK  2/22/09