We Interrupt This Programming --

You've been reading about our drive up the Richardson Highway the past couple of days using scheduled posts. BJ and Turk were staying at a campground in Fairbanks while I took the pickup and drove to Prudhoe Bay, aka Deadhorse on what was expected to be a three or four day trip. When I got to Prudhoe, where they have cell phone connectivity, I got the message that Turk, aka Turk the City Dog, had been on the receiving end of a dog attack.

When BJ was out walking Turk on Tuesday evening, a Bullmastiff, dragging it's owner behind, bowled over Turk, picked him up, and shook him like a rag doll. In the process, Turk received five fractured ribs, several lacerations, and a punctured lung. The owner of the other dog, after securing it, was very helpful in getting Turk to an emergency vet for surgery, etc.

After a night at the clinic, Turk is all wrapped up and willing to stand long enough to pee

before settling down for more drug induced sleep.  He's scheduled for a vet visit in Fairbanks on the 5th, and stitches removed around the 17th in Anchorage unless something else comes up.

We're very thankful for the way the other family has accepted financial responsibility.

This will make some changes to our plans, eliminating any tours or activities that we had planned to do together, and may modify our pace and direction of travel. Denali Highway and Top of the World are now on the suspected "hit" list, although they may be as smooth or smoother as the infamous Burwash Landing > Alaska border section. We'll take it a day at a time as we see what Turk's tolerance allows.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming. Next up - the Haul Road.