Time is an interesting and seemingly very contradictory commodity if you think about it.
On the one hand, it is frustratingly consistent with its measured seconds, minutes and hours etc. On the other hand, it appears to go really slow when there is anticipation of some event. Reflecting on something in the past can seem like “yesterday” when in fact years may have gone by. Conversely, a year or two ago can feel like decades!
This whole subject came up as I was browsing early pictures of Ray, and came across this one.
The North Oakville Animal Hospital (aka NOAH, and Ray’s vet services) decided to make Ray their “Patient of the Week” at a time when he was being treated for his heart-worm.
My mind immediately went back to that time, as I remembered Ray could not go anywhere outside without being leashed. His heart rate had to be kept as low as possible in order to increase his chance of surviving the treatment, so we could not let him suddenly go charging after a rabbit or a squirrel!
He was on Prednisone for a while to during the treatment which, as a side effect, made him pee pretty much every hour, 24 hours a day! I remembered us trying to take it in turns to answer his bell ringing (so that he could go outside). I remembered attaching his leash at 2:00am and taking him into the garden; watching for raccoons and skunks, and perhaps doing the same again at 3:00am and 4:00am!
The full story is in his book* but, this morning, I remembered the relief when we eventually received a phone call from NOAH confirming that his last blood test was clear!
All that happened from July 2013 through to February 2014 and it seems like yesterday… or does it? Sometimes, it seems like decades ago which I assume is because so much has happened since then.
Decades ago, or yesterday, or 3 years ago? Time is an interesting and seemingly very contradictory commodity if you think about it
A New Direction Perhaps? 
It’s amazing the progress he has made. Heartworm is awful…
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It was a very traumatic 9 months for all of us but…. team work and all that! 🙂
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It has been our good fortune as well as your’s and Carol’s that Ray survived and indeed has thrived. Thank you for saving this sweet boy who has come such a long way! ღ
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You’re very welcome Monika. He has certainly made an impact in so many ways. If somebody had predicted my last 3 years, say 5 years ago…. I would have assumed that they were on drugs!!!! One just never knows what life has in store! 🙂
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So glad Ray survived this!!
Yes, time is a funny thing. It has only been around 4 months since I have known you and your daughter beyond just the blog, yet my “poor, confused” brain feels like its been sooo much longer! Hmmm….wonder why! 🙂
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Simple! Time flies when you’re having fun! 🙂
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I knew you were a tough cookie, R. You stayed strong through a difficult time, and hung in there. Well done.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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Thanks Cupcake, but I had loads of support and help and encouragement! Woof! Ray.
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The feeling of time going by so fast or having not moved at all is strange. It happens to me all the time. Some things seem so far away.
I’ve had three rescued dogs that were treated for heartworms. Two were done with injections and the other one I gave Heartguard x2 monthly for a year. The “slow kill” worked as good as the fast kill and saved me lots of money. I’m not sure if slow kill is appropriate for every dog or not. I’m glad that injections worked very well for Ray.
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In Ray’s case, I seem to recall that slow-kill was discussed but was decided too much of a gamble. Given his condition at that time, the existing worm population could do significant damage while the slow kill process developed. Even the “quick” (?) injections method may not have been fast enough as we suspect that Ray has some residual soft tissue damage… but at least he survived and is leading a happy life! 🙂
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You are right about doing the fast kill when the population of worms is huge and/or the dog is showing signs of illness. As I wrote I was not sure if slow kill is/was appropriate in all cases. He probably has some damage but with the excellent care and food that he is getting I believe the damage won’t have an impact on quality of life or longevity. He was super lucky to fall into that shelter and ultimately into your hands.
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He does seem very happy with his “lot” in life! He is a lucky “boy” in many ways! 🙂
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I know what you mean. Some things feel like ages ago and just like yesterday at the same time. Ray has come such a long way. So wonderful!
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🙂
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