Tales of Tubing!

Wednesday, Nov 9.  Dr Vicky, the other WV volunteer, and Dr Peach, one of the Thai vets, were both feeling ill this am, so I was on my own, so to speak.  There is plenty of help, I just was in charge of the medical care.  Carolina works here full time and is the clinic coordinator.  She is a tiny thing full of amazing energy and seems to be in many places at once.  She knows every dog, what it's problems are, and where each one lives... and there are about 500 dogs here!

Jack and Whiskey in his tiger/bear outfit

 This morning there were a few cases that I needed to check.  We were meant to spay a dog, but with the regular vets out, I elected to wait so I could see how the surgery area works.  We have a pen of momma dogs and puppies that were brought in together, 17 puppies, and all the mommas nurse all the pups!  The pups all look very different, there are at least two distinct age differences.  So there is no way to tell which pups belong to which litter or mom.  They are all delightful little tykes!  We dewormed everybody today.  Tomorrow they will all get their first vaccinations.  Lucie and Jack are the volunteers that are doing the most work with the families and they take great care of the giant brood.

Lucie and Mia (as in Mai Tai) and Sour (as in Whiskey Sour)

 There is a puppy that was treated for prolapsed rectum and now has a bilateral perineal hernia.  His whole booty bulges out and he has a difficult time urinating and defecating.  We were going to send him to Chiang Mai for surgery, but, yippee, there is an excellent surgery book here that I can review! I have done this surgery before, but definitely needed a refresher.  So that little guy is on the books for tomorrow as well.

This is little Tom (as in Tom Collins) but one of the volunteers
named him Tom Collie!

 Nick is a volunteer that came a year ago and never left!  He started on an elephant project, met Derrick, one of the park owners, got put on a special monkey and bear project and has never left!  He has been helping at the dog unit for a couple of days.  He has a double major (psych and something else, I forgot what) and is now considering completing his some prerequisites and applying to veterinary school.

Nick and Jack got the two doggy wheel chairs assembled that I brought from the US.  There are several paralyzed dogs here and they all now have their own wheel chairs.  It is quite amazing to see them going for walks with their wheels!  One of the dogs that got a new set was racing around like a race car.  He was super excited and fun to watch.  These doggies live in "the Steel Run" which is a huge enclosed area that has a smooth tile floor.  That way the dogs can pull themselves around with their front legs and not develop sores from dragging their hind legs behind them.  It is named after Steele, the first paralyzed dog that was rescued.

Steel with her new wheels!

After we finished in clinics, a group of us grabbed inner tubes and hiked up the road to a little market where a truck picked us up, drove up through the gorgeous coutryside and dropped us up river!  We floated back down to the elephant park.  It was a wonderful little trip before dinner!  Very refreshing and fun.  After we stumbled out of the water, returned our tubes, showered and changed... of to dinner.

The Tubing Team:  Jenny, Lisa, Vicky, Nick, Jack, Lucie and John.

Vicky in the stack of tubes as we are driven to the put in site.

Sites along the river.

John enjoying a brew while tubing.

On the river.

Traditional homes along side the river.

All the meals are prepared at the park for volunteers, visitors and staff.  It is all vegetarian, much is vegan, most is spicy!  Lots of fresh fruit and salad.  Each meal has a HUGE variety of choices.  I have no idea what most of it is and I can not begin to try each dish, but they are all really good!  The moderate heat and humidity, thankfully, keep my appetite low so I am not eating everything in sight!  But you do have to get to meals on time, otherwise you will miss some of the special treats (which are anything fried!!!  Including what everyone calls "American Fries" which are the krinkle fries...but they definitely fry them, not baked!!  LOL!!)

"Dessert" once again, was a massage.  this time I had the foot massage and did get the "shoulder" massage, which is the rest of the legs, back, shoulders (front and back), neck, head and arms!

Tonight the added excitement was an impressive storm with lightning and incredible rolling thunder.  Very exciting!

Well, off to bed.  Ought to sleep well tonight!