So last week, the guys started working on the pipes, so I was without water. They turned on the water Wednesday night, but then shut it off again Thursday morning. I was told by one of the people staying in the house that they didn't have the parts to finish the project. So I had no idea when the water would come back on.
On top of that, Dakota was sick. He used to get diarrhea all the time when he was a puppy. I switched him to a grain-free diet 7 months ago, and this was the first time he got sick. I thought it might be something he ate....but during the course of the week, he'd get a little better, then he'd get sick. It was like for every step forward, he was taking 3 steps back.
Meanwhile, I was hating life at that point. By Friday, I was so done; I had myself a little emotional break down. If you are a friend of mine on facebook, you might have noticed. I've been without water before, but this run was tough! In fact, Thursday night, I wasn't feeling well either.
I was debating writing this next part. As far as I'm concerned, it's TMI. However, to gain this information, I had to ask a friend. So, I am going to give this bit of advice, but I don't ever want to think about it again. I am a girly-girl. I don't like camping. I don't like using the bathroom outdoors. I don't like discussing using the bathroom. Bodily functions are not something I care to discuss. But since the guys had told me they would be finished by Thursday, I did not stock up enough water. So I had to put together a honey bucket. And I was not happy about it! Yes, you can just use a bucket....but that's not my style. Here's my recommendation: 2 garbage bags & a trash can. It served it's purpose and left me with some dignity. I could handle that.....barely.
Friday came and so did my water. I felt so much better. Dakota was still sick and I was trying every trick I knew. Come Sunday, he wasn't any better. I had noticed this sour smell (like yogurt) and realized it was Dakota. I called the vet in Anchorage and they said I needed to have him seen. Luckily for me, the vet was going to be in Bethel this week, starting on Monday. (Yes, Bethel only has a vet once a month.)
To add to my stress, I still hadn't gotten a carrier for Dakota. I had measured him and he's between a XL and a Giant sized crate. I had been holding off because Alaskan Airlines will not fly any dog crate bigger than XL, not even in cargo. But now, I HAD to get him to a vet.....but I had no carrier. I called one of the bush plane companies and asked if they would take him and I to Bethel without a carrier. It's illegal I found out.
But my friend suggested that if I bought a carrier from the Alaskan Airlines terminal in Bethel, Renfro would go and pick it up for me, put it on the bush plane and fly out to pick Dakota and I up. Which is exactly what we did Monday. Not only did it save me a shipping fee, the crate was super cheap. I had been pricing crates and the same size crate at a pet store costs $265, whereas buying through the airlines (and you know it's airline approved right off the bat) only cost $105. That's quite a difference!
But my troubles were not over....because when I arrived in Bethel, Dakota didn't have an appointment. Their office didn't open until 3 p.m. and closed at 6 p.m.. I did not have a large window of opportunity. Now by Sunday night, Dakota was in horrible shape. He had stopped eating & drinking (over 24 hours) and was lethargic and showing signs of dehydration. I barely slept (cause I was crying, picturing having to put him down, and feeling so helpless) and he was still getting sick and was now vomiting. So I didn't really care if I didn't have an appointment. My dog was going to be seen, even if I had to fly him Anchorage. I was not going to take no for an answer!
He had perked up come Monday, but I was determined. I showed up in Bethel and finally got a call into the vet. They said they were booked until the next day. I explained Dakota's condition and said I was in Bethel now. I got an appointment.
Actually, the vet was very nice and gave me meds....and a back up....then a back up of the back up in case he didn't get better. He said it was obvious that I took really good care of Dakota. He also examined his hips and back legs and said they were developing nicely...which was a relief. He gave Dakota a de-wormer and some antibiotics for an infection. He also thinks Dakota is allergic to grass (which he eats) and that explains the success of his grain-free diet. So now I can't wait for winter...because there is a lot of grass out right now.
By the next day, Dakota was feeling much better! His first batch of medicine is in a paste form that I would normally have to use a syringe to give him. However, that Sunday night, I shot some water in his mouth to try to help him get some water and now he really, really, REALLY dislikes the syringe. So I boil a chicken breast and mix it with that. He licks the bowl clean.
My trip to Bethel was a quick one, but successful. One of my friends drove me all around. I was able to get some shopping done and Dakota got taken care of....we left at 2 and was back by 6. Dakota is on the mend, I got some ice cream, and we got the crate thing taken care of too....which he might not grow out of.
I made sure to get Dakota weighed. I was so sure he'd be at least 110 pounds. If not more. Boy, was I off. He weighs 90 pounds. I just keep thinking that he weighs the same as Steve Rogers before he became Captain America. 90 pound weakling....
I got to Skype with my niece today and I spoke to her yesterday. She is absolutely adorable! I have to been back to work next week, and everything is going so much better! Except this weather....it's rained almost every day this month! That's getting annoying. Remind me never to move to Seattle or Juneau...or any other place where it rains all the time. I need some blue sky!!
Here are some pictures I took on the bush plane of Akiak. There was one of me the pilot took, but I had been up all night crying....so I deleted it!
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| Tundra....miles and miles of tundra |
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| The Kuskokwim River |
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| A beaver dam on one of the many lakes.... |
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| Akiak, Alaska |
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| Akiak from the back view |
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| Akiak on the river's edge |
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| My housing complex....my duplex is in the middle next to the house with the blue roof |
