Friday, July 5, 2013

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.

12 comments:

  1. Man, what a bummer. I've never understood folks that have dogs they can't control. Nice to hear Turk survived the attack and the owners stepped up to their responsibility. We never know when we're going to get thrown a curve ball, but sometimes it results in a homerun. Hope that's the case in your situation.

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    1. It's a curve ball we never saw coming. The owner says it caught him totally by surprise. I think we'll see more camping & sitting and lots less exploring for the rest of the trip since we're not willing to leave him alone for any length of time while he's on meds. Guess this means we'll have to do another Alaska trip to cover the stuff we'll miss. ;-)

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  2. So sorry to hear of Turk's attack! Glad that there was good medical available and that he survived without life threatening injuries.

    We are also downed by medical challenges. Spent the 3rd in an orthopedic clinic and hubby is now resting on meds. Hopefully we will be back on the road soon.

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    1. He seems to be doing better today. We have an appointment in a couple hours to remove the IV port. Sure hope Dave improves quickly. We'll be here through Sunday and then at Riley in Denali for three days before working our way back towards Anchorage again.

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  3. OMG. So glad Turk's on the mend. Didn't you need to slow down & smell the roses anyway.

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    1. So glad to hear from you - I was afraid they were working your fingers to the bone when we didn't see a post for a couple weeks. Sounds like you've got a great summer situation except for the cell service. Turk actually did get up and walk around a bit this morning so we're seeing progress.

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  4. So sorry your little Turk was hurt. He has one of the sweetest faces I've ever seen on a dog.

    I hope all three of you enjoy the remainder of your trip, even if it is at a slower pace.

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    1. Thanks for your comment. It will be good for us to slow down a bit. Meanwhile, Turk is showing glimmers of himself when the pain med doseage is just right. :-) BTW, love your window mod!

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  5. Poor Turk! I am glad he is on the mend.

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    1. He's been a really good patient so far but we have one of those evil cones for when the stitches get to the itching stage.

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  6. Don't skip Denali if you can boondock in Teklanika. I did it by myself with 5 dogs in a 25' MH. You can take turns touring by catching the bus right outside the campground.

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    1. We don't anticipate skipping Denali NP but have crossed off the Denali Highway from Can't well to Paxton. I wanted to paddle Tangle Lakes but getting Turk in and out of the boat and keeping him dry isn't worth the risk.

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