The Collision – Epilogue

In response to Maria (sargentmt)’s comment against “A Ray Collision” yesterday:

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After Carol’s recent collision with Ray, contributing to a rather awkward fall, she wanted to go to a walk-in clinic just for the reassurance that nothing major had happened, especially as she had heard a “crack” sound as she fell down and across her arm.

She did not feel too certain about her right arm and shoulder ability and therefore was uncomfortable with driving herself there. Given Ray’s severe separation anxiety, we all piled into my car and off we went. Ray was his usual excited self as he jumped up onto the back seat because, to him, a ride in the car is usually an adventure that includes treats.

His excitement faded extremely fast as I parked the car and Carol got out and disappeared into the medical building. He started to whine and generally moan, but soon she was back. They were anticipating being able to see her in about 2 hours (they were busy) and so suggested that we went back home for a while… which we did!

About 1-1/2 hours later Ray was once again harnessed and taken to the car, but this time he was not so excited. When we turned into the building’s parking area, he was already vocalizing his disapproval. When Carol got out and disappeared into the building, he was very agitated and loud! I talked to him; stroked his ears; had the Classical music station on the radio, but he whined and moaned continuously.  I had a side window down a little, and that distracted him for a few seconds.

I listened to a very distraught dog for about 2-1/2 hours and, when Carol returned, Ray made it quite clear to her that he was not amused! The verdict on Carol was a tentative nothing apparently serious, but they did x-rays and this morning (3rd) we had to go back for any issues that were noticed in the x-rays.

Taking Ray there again was a predictably challenging time for him, and for anybody else who could hear him.  Fortunately, we only had to wait just over an hour this time but, being sealed up in a car with a wailing, whining, moaning Ray is quite disconcerting. When Carol eventually appeared, he once again made it quite clear that she was totally out of line for leaving him!

The x-ray results? No apparent bone damage, but they wanted another person to take a look before they made their final conclusion. Hopefully that can all be done over the phone!

37 thoughts on “The Collision – Epilogue”

  3. Colin, I’m so glad Carol did not have to spend the night in the hospital. you might have had to sneak Ray in just for some peace of mind. I wouldn’t count on the 3 minutes too soon. What’s the old saying, “two steps forward, one step back?” You might have gotten to 2 minutes last week, but this week you might be back to 1 if you are lucky.

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  5. Poor Ray!! He wanted to listen to Pop music or the Oldies station instead, LOL! Step by step isn’t it, he will get there and your patience rewarded greatly! I do hope the phone call brings good news!

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  6. Oh, I can imagine the concert you had going while waiting. Glad there is nothing major. I fell hard on my shoulder 1 1/2 years ago. Nothing broken or damaged either but it took me about 4 months until I had a full range with my arm again without any pain. It simply needs time! Hope she is better soon!

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  9. I had a cat who disapproved of overnight stays and was very vocal when we returned but mostly they don’t notice us gone for a few hours…unless maybe it’s dinner time. Then they are clinking their silverware when we come in the door. Poor Ray. It’s hard when you don’t understand what these humans are doing. Kudos to you for your patience.

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    • Severe cases in dogs are not uncommon (I believe cats are naturally more independent than dogs) and many dogs, including Shepherds, can lose all self-control and do serious damage to property and themselves. Ray was very stressed when rescued and was put on anti-anxiety meds, which he is still on. We cannot consider weaning him off them until we have his insecurities under control. He is making progress, albeit in tiny steps, but he’ll get “there” eventually. He’s worth it! 🙂

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      • I worked with a woman who had a large black dog. (I don’t remember the breed.) It had been rehomed a few times because it had severe separation anxiety and did major damage when left alone. Both of them worked. They ended up replacing their main interior doors with steel ones and changed out the woodwork to something less destructible. I always admired her for keeping the dog and working to train him. Unfortunately I left the position before the dog was fully trained so I don’t have an ending. Since both her and her husband were committed to this, I think the ending was a good one. I know she wouldn’t give him up. Cats are easier that way but they do miss us if we are gone for a few days even with a very friendly cat sitter.

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        • They certainly can be challenging but, in your example, changing the doors to steel etc would do nothing but potentially escalate the problem. The dog is not trying to eat doors per se, but is trying to get out and track down its owners. Dogs will jump through glass windows if necessary to achieve that goal. Hopefully, their ending was good because it is not the dog’s fault that it got so attached to some humans! 🙂

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    • Hi Cupcake. I do nap, and look out of the windows, but only when we are all together. It’s my job to take care of my pack now because they have done so much for me, but I can’t do it when they keep going in different directions. I’ll have to try and adjust to the fact that they really can take of themselves, but that is contrary to both my Shepherd and Rotti ancestry! Woof! Ray.

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