Back in Whack

There’s no better cure for brooding over the premature death of one sentient being than actively preventing the same for another. Just when you think the universe is hopelessly out-of-whack, just whack! It whacks right back.

Based on an IM conversation I had with my friend Anne earlier today, I was fretting that little Floki had had his back broken and his hind legs were paralyzed. I was determined I’d care for him no matter what, but had no real idea how. Luke told me that there were contraptions for such dogs where you strap their rear into some kind of wheeled gizmo and they can run with their front legs. I was already working out how to get one shipped over.

Thankfully, there’s no need. I showed up at the vet on the dot at five and they had good news. There was no paralysis, his back was fine, and in fact there was no internal bleeding. X-rays did show that both of his hind legs were broken at the femurs, but neither break had separated the bone, and no surgery or setting was required. If I just kept him still and quiet for the next 6-8 weeks, and fed him extra calcium in his food, the bones should knit well and he should fully recover. I got down into Floki’s face to tell him how ecstatic I was to hear that, he licked my nose, and I was in love.

But. “Li’l” Floki is a very temporary designation. It turns out my new buddy is mostly, if not 100%, St. Bernard. They estimated he was about three months old now, but when fully grown he’d likely top out at 70 kilos, or 165 lbs. As one guy at Erka’s office remarked, “like a small horse.” So I can’t keep him. No way. I’ll nurse him back to health, of course, but all the while I’ll be looking for a countryside home where he can range freely and be happy. It’s going to be a major trial, though, not to get attached to this little face:

I have to say that Floki is a pretty lucky guy. I’m going to have to dig very, very deep to sincerely pray for the jackass who abandoned him on a night when the temperature plunged to -25F. He almost certainly would have suffered a slow, agonizing death before morning, while for the price of a little patience, TLC, and 25 bucks at the vet, he’s now sleeping contentedly at my side.

If the plight of animals moves you, and you feel their rescue from horrible situations is worthwhile, I urge you to consider supporting my temple’s non-profit project Tara’s Babies, which is dedicated to just that.

Thank you all for your concern and prayers. It’s nice when we win one, isn’t it?

Comments

[Sophie]

Beautiful day. Thank you!

[sean]

ahhh...that's great news. I've been thinking of it since reading the initial account.

[Vedran]

He is so beutiful creature.
I'm so happy that he going to be OK, and very proud to see that my suggestion is accepted. I had no idea that Norseman named Floki discovered Iceland. It's rather usual name for dogs in my country, I am unaware of it's origin. I always wanted to have dog by that name as kid, but the one I had was already named Shwrtcho and he was there since before I was born. When he died 10 years ago I was so devastated and never again thought about getting another dog. When I saw your new friend those memorys came back so thats why I suggested it.

[Nancy O.]

Blessings to you Konchong for rescuing such an adorable baby! My heart breaks when I hear stories like this. In honor of Floki and that darling Mooj, I am sending a donation to Tara's Babies today.

[Carol]

Go puppy go! I hopped out of bed early this morning, and skipped over my cushion to check on him. I'm glad it's nothing life threatening, but too bad he's a horse in disguise! So, how exactly does a St Bernard end up in Mongolia? Though I guess it's a logical choice for winter herding. Thanks for sharing this story!

[Zendette]

Maybe no one abandoned him. With two broken hind legs, perhaps he fell off a truck or flatbed. Maybe even a child's sled.
I don't know what the process would be in UB, but here we just put up signs with the photo and contact information and I'm sure someone will turn up to claim him. Either you will have a mighty tough lesson in attachment for the duration; or you can find the owners nearby and get visiting priviledges.

[Roeland]

Great job Konchog!

However, USD 25 is quite a lot of money in a country with a GDP per capita per month of USD 160 (est. 2005; I've often heard a quote of only USD 50 a month) and 36% of the population living below the poverty line (est. 2005).

Please don't misunderstand me: it is not an excuse for abandoning a hurt animal.
But what for us lucky people is a mere USD 25, might be a monthly income for a Mongolian. I'm afraid that also in Europe or America many pets would be abandonned if the vet's bill would equal a month salary.

[Janet]

I do rescue for the Seattle Animal Shelter, and I just try to never think about the humans who let the animals down, and just save one at a time! I've now had 2 animals with broken bones to nurse back to health (in my 7 foster dogs), and the tricky part is when they start feeling better and want to RUN and JUMP, but it's so very important for them to NOT do those things for the bones to knit up... I highly recommend keeping the dog on a leash connected to you at all times when that starts to happen, and email ME for any advice or support! Enjoy the caring for another being - there's nothing like it! Janet

[Sarah]

Not a dog person...I never fully bought that one. Alice never did, and neither, obviously, does Floki. What a sweet little (for now) woodgie!

[Carol]

Hurray! Hurray! Yeah, "little" is definitley a temporary state for that fellow! ah well, at least he is okay.

[Jim]

Thanks for your help in nursing this little guy back to help, Konchog. I appreciate your good heart for the animals of this world. Scooter sends his thanks as well, and is doing well.

[ibu]

i have enjoyed reading here. But, most moved by Floki's story. You are a man of action. How wonderful to know what to do and be able to do it. Here i am knitting hats and crying. Blessings dharma brother.

[kmkat]

Ha -- I called that one! A St. Bernard, eh? But what a sweet face. He's lucky to have you. Best of luck on finding a good home for him.

[Lee Ann]

I knew there was a reason I think of you as a kindred spirit, even though I'm a knitterly whack-job elfin type in stupidly high heels and you're a much calmer big guy in a robe...

Lee Ann's Home For Little Wanderers has been closed for a while thanks to kid asthma, but we hope to re-open thanks to her willingness to undergo the scratch test. We have a small grey tabby guy in our sights in the park, and we are relentless in our pursuit of making sure little fuzzy guys are fed and loved. Don't tell my husband...he has no idea of my sordid past :-)

[Franklin]

Konchog buddy,

I'm just catching up today and, well, I *am* a dog person and this really pushed all my buttons. Health and peace to your entire household, including the latest addition.

I have to go weep quietly in a corner now.

[marylee]

Holy smoke! I miss a couple of days and I miss so much. What a dear you are for taking care of Floki. I'm a sloppy mess thinking about it. Regrettably, I'm not even close to a level of spiritual development that would compell me to say a prayer for the person who abandoned him. Not a proper prayer, anyway. I have to attach myself to Zendette's notion that it was a tragic accident. I do send prayers your way, though. It takes a special kind of kind to foster.