Yes, We Really Are Those Dog People
Trip Start
Mar 11, 2011
1
36
43
Trip End
Mar 31, 2013
Kampala, Uganda
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Seeing as Dixie is the "baby" of our family, this story really isn't all that crazy.
I haven't blogged in a while thanks to our slow (ok, almost nonexistent) internet, but I am working on updating to share more stories of OUR everyday life here in Uganda. OUR life here because I am pretty sure others don't have a story like this to share.
For all those who know Rick and I, they know that Dixie is basically our doggie child. We bid on countries based upon whether or not she would have to ride below in cargo and be in quarantine. If she isn't in the cabin tucked safely under my legs (click here -truthfully in my lap hiding under a blanket), the post is off our bid list. Obviously we aren't that overprotective or we wouldn't even take her to most places overseas, but we do the best we can to care for her with our life in developing countries. Dixie did great in Guatemala (Click here). She had a mini medical emergency evacuation-click here, received a crazy hair cut-click here, and even had surgery-click here (developing country style).
Here in Uganda we have very nice vets, but there is always that worry that Dixie will have a medical situation that is beyond the capacity of the vet clinic to handle. Unfortunately, Dixie became frozen in pain due to a spine issue that appeared suddenly and without an obvious reason so she needed x-rays which the vet clinic did not have the equipment to do. I never imagined a private human hospital was the back-up for the vet clinic, but here are pictures to prove it. BTW, I didn't take a video of my injured dog for show on this blog, but to show the vet so that I didn't have to move her. The vet ended up coming to our house and calling his friend at the private hospital to get Dixie admitted as a non-human patient.
___________________I am totally aware of the fact that our dog gets better medical care than a good portion of the population here. My job here is working with OVC (orphans and other vulnerable children) so I see that first hand. I can only say that Dixie is in our care and I will always do everything I can to help her. Dixie having gone to the human hospital did not prevent someone else from receiving medical care. We were the only ones at the time waiting for x-rays and I would not have put my dog in line before a human. In the end the hospital benefitted from our having used them. Dixie was a great patient!
Comments
awww... l really enjoyed reading this erica! how adorable! I am so happy Dixie is doing well! Miss you tons! Hi to Ricky for me! Love ya, Carrie
That is fantastic! Glad she got the help she needed. Peyton and I are sending well wishes!! Love you guys!
Our pets give so much on a consistent basis. I think everyone who has a pet understands. Glad she is doing better - Bob
I love your blog it cracked me up looking at all the pictures. I am so glad your little precious is doing well. We love you both and miss you guys.
I always love hearing your stories, and getting updates! Dixie is adorable (even with the hair cut)! Love you!
So happy that Dixie was able to get the help she needed. How nice that the vet and hospital can work together like this! And you are so right, every paying customer helps the hospital, which helps others. I took my kids to an eye clinic in Cairo once, where the waiting room was packed full.. we were rushed to the head of the line. I felt bad, and objected, but the local lady sitting next to me shushed me... she said the doctor does a lot of charity work. She will give special treatment to those who can afford it, and charge them more, which helps those who cannot pay. Our bill was still very low/fair, so I was ok with it.
Wow, I finally passed one of my last life mile posts, I'm a grandfather! Gland to hear my grand dog is going well.