Harvey and His Basket of Choice

No matter what sort of comfortable bedding we give Harvey, he seems to like to insert himself in kitchen baskets. Any basket made of straw or plastic, as long as he fits, snuggled tightly with his head resting at the corner.

He's weird like that.  

Harvey recovers well for 2014

2nd week of December Harvey got into an accident. Bruce and him were playing at the garage and the next thing we knew, he was sporting a deep cut at the neck area.

I was on my way out for some scheduled shopping and I thought that the cut was manageable with  Betadine, but the cut was like done with a knife's precision and I was surprised to see the actual skin/fur effortlessly separate from the muscle. Gross. I had no choice but to rush him to the vet as an emergency case. Thank goodness I didn't leave the house yet.

The cause was from their rough play, but I don't think it was intentional on the side of Bruce. He was even happily escorting us on the way out with his tail wagging while licking Harvey. He was completely oblivious of what had transpired. Also, the cut was like done by a knife. Our theory was during their wrestling match (which they always do), Harvey found himself under Bruce and he thought of wiggling himself out until one of Bruce's sharper "molars" slit through Harvey's neck. The cut was very clean and there were no blood dripping episodes at the scene of the crime. For all we know he could've been cut by a knife. If it was a bite mark, it wouldn't turn out to be a slit. Bruce's mouth is not shaped for biting.

Excuse the graphic shot

Harvey was calm and serene all throughout. Even if we were trying to clean his would and carry him around he wouldn't shake or flinch. He was just dazed to say the least, but he was really brave and calm. I don't know if it's just Harvey or this is the same for all dogs, but Harvey has always had a high tolerance for pain. He might be intelligent, independent, a rascal or a nut, but one thing also that he's known for is that he's very brave.


We had to confine him for the day. He had to be put on dextrose to prep him up for surgery the morning after. We were advised to get him during lunch time as soon as he wakes up from the surgery.

Leaving him was like a heartbreaking re-run of the episode I had with Bruce last July. I can't imagine how they're feeling whenever I'm leaving them to be confined. It's like I'm abandoning them. But for some reason my heart was stronger since this was a definite case. Harvey will just have to undergo an operation and I can bring him home the next day unlike when Bruce had acute renal failure, when it was a wait-and-see moment.

The vet told me that Harvey was a very cooperative patient. He was very brave. Even before surgery, they were treating his wound and he would not flinch or react. He was like numb. I have to say that I'm so proud of him.

Just as expected, we got him back the lunch of the following day. The surgery cost 8000 pesos inclusive of the confinement, professional fees, medication and supplies. The operation was a success and he was in bandage for two weeks and in antibiotics for a week.

After four days of operation, we brought him back to the vet to dress his wounds and stitches. The vet said that Harvey is all right and remarkably recovering fast. I think dogs heal faster than humans. After four days of operation, he was running around crazy inside the house and was eager to do his normal activities. But of course, we can't let him out except to do his business. God knows he'll wallow in dirt whenever he has a chance. I bet he must have felt pretty confined.

After the 2nd week, we took him back again to the vet just in time for Papo's anti-rabies shots. His stitches were finally taken out and he's back to his old self to enjoy the new year.

Harvey is a very active and intelligent dog, but with his level of energy, he's bound to encounter some mishaps here and there. In a way, I was kind of anticipating for years that something like this will happen. If not a major cut, some broken bone.

But Harvey has always been a brave dog. He won't display fear and weakness. He's braver than me actually. I just hope he takes care of himself next time cause I don't want to see any of my dogs hurt and undergo high levels of medication. It's heart wrenching.

This closes the veterinary episode for 2013. I'm looking forward to a healthier 2014!

Harvey and the Alleged Rat Poison

These past couple of weeks had been hell for me and my dogs. More than anything, it's a financial challenge and an emotional melt-down for me. But as much as I’d like to complain and shut myself from all the things that I feel, I just can’t because I love these dogs too much to not do anything. 

Last June 26, 2013, Wednesday,  I received a call from my mother while I was at the office. She called to tell me that she’s observing something really alarming and funny about Harvey, our soon to be 5 year old Jack Russell Terrier. Harvey is overall a lively dog. His energy level is way too high that any slight decrease or change would be noticeable. It won't be normal a normal day in our household if my mom doesn't scold him because of something he did. He'd run around, test everyone's patience and he would perform his usual antics that either would piss you off or amuse you. And just like any JRTs, he is very strong, fearless and adventurous. For all those years of hunting and killing dead birds, frogs or insects, he’s never been hospitalized or confined. But on this particular day, my mom and household help noticed that he’s lying in the grass, unresponsive to their calls. He would lie down and not wander about, which is unlike him at all. He would always be the first one to greet you at the gate, but he was lethargic even when my brother and aunt arrived. 

My mom told me that they saw a blue-colored small piece of block, which happens to be rat poison in the garden. The poison must have been transported by a dying rat and which Harvey was able to locate. Killing and hunting rats are Harvey’s specialty so there was 99.9% chance that he tampered with the poison. It was our little Pomerianian, Chivas, who found it while he was passing by the garden. Before he was able to play with it, our household help noticed the piece and prevented him from touching it. It was fairly impossible that Harvey might have missed this since it is exposed in the same garden where Harvey usually hangs around. 

Upon hearing the emergency, I rushed home that night. I faced the usually 7 pm traffic and called my sister to meet me at the house to drive us to the veterinary clinic. It was already 8 pm when I reached the neighborhood and I made a couple of emergency and frantic calls to my vet to let him see Harvey tonight.

When I got home, he was the same bouncy self and greeted me at the gate. I wouldn’t normally figure out if something was indeed wrong with him, but I relied on my family’s feedback that they’ve noticed him strange and more laid back than usual. They even told me about Rat Poison. I am not a chemist or a veterinarian, but I fairly know rat poison is toxic enough to cause blood, brain and kidney damage…fast. So as soon as my sister arrived, we drove him to his vet for emergency treatment.

It was 8:30 pm when we reached the clinic. This was a life and death situation. I was scared and anxious. We told the vet our observations and what our household helper found. Dr. Peralta immediately injected a Vitamin K medication to counter the poisonous effects and had him confined overnight for observation. He said he'd call if he find anything unusual. 

The next evening, we went back to the vet to pick up Harvey. They’ve inserted another dose of medication and observed for any signs of lethargy or vomiting. But none, thank God! One of the assistants even brought him out for a walk that day and he seemed pretty excited as usual. We brought him home on Thursday night and we’ve been observing him for a couple of days now. Thank the Heavens! He’s back to his normal self. No trace of sickness whatsoever.

Treatment cost 2700 pesos for multiple Vitamin K injections and overnight hospitalization. Peace of mind costs priceless. 

Rat Poison or Bromethalin Rodenticide has top toxicity rate! According to petmd.com, once the dog ingests or becomes exposed to bromethalin found in rat poison, it could lead to cerebral edema (Excess water in the brain), increased pressure in cerebrospinal fluid and neurological effects like muscle tremors, seizures and impaired movement. This could lead to further paralysis, depression and seizures. The effects could normally be seen 2 – 7 days of ingestion, sometimes even weeks.

In advance testing for Bromethalin exposure, they do have urine analysis, MRI and CT scan. Or they would rely on owner’s findings and actual evidence.

Vomiting and bowel movement should be induced within 2-3 days after the poisoning. Vitamin K is also injected to counter the effects.

Further observation is required after the treatment to flag further complications. As long as it’s treated immediately, prognosis is very favorable.

HARVEY CASE DETAILS

1. June 26  - Lethargy and unusual weak behavior
2. June 26 - Emergency Vitamin K medication administered by Vet. Antibiotics twice a day prescribed by Vet. (2,700 for vet fees and hospitalization + 100 for meds)
3. June 27 - Release date, no negative effects or findings. Harvey appears and seems to be normally his rambunctious self to this day

Morning Mice Hunt

Good morning, Loves.

What are you two up to?

Bruce is a steady, low-energy dog. If no one exciting is around, he just sits, sleeps and be incognito.
But when Harvey's around, something about this little Jack Russell always sparks his energy. Harvey has his own world when it comes to exploring things. He doesn't mind to have other dogs following him around. He likes to be the leader in everything. Though Bruce can hardly keep up with his speed, he tries very hard.

According to Ate Shiela, they were hunting for mice this morning. How did she know for sure? For a couple of days now, they had randomly found dead mice under our house rugs.

Yuck.

Time Out: Bruce and Harvey

For now, these two are being kept apart.

Sometime October 2012

Harvey's wound in his right eye is still in the process of healing. It looks better now and we intend to keep it that way, but whenever these 2 get together, they wrestle and do mock-fights. Obviously Bruce is bigger and he can easily put Harvey's whole head in his mouth. After their play, we would see Harvey drenched in Bruce's saliva and his wound semi-bleeding again. Looking at the nut, it seems he doesn't have a care in the world.

So until Harvey's wound is fully healed, both of them get a time out. Lately, Bruce climbs at the kitchen steps looking for his friend while Harvey makes bored sounds at the other side. I know it's tough, you guys, but we have to prioritize health first. Probably this weekend you can all play together with Chivas and Buddy, but as long as there's someone watching you.

Reunited with my boys

Every time I go home, especially from long vacations, I always look forward to seeing my dogs. Apologies to those who might feel offended, but my dogs are at the top of my list.

Their love and excitement towards me is so pure and unconditional. My heart just melts and all the troubles seem to evaporate into thin air.

I was excited as much as they were excited to see me. I felt touched when all of them met me at the gate, eagerly squeezing against each other for my attention. They all wagged their tails, jumped up and followed me until I settled down. They kissed me, licked me and stayed with me while I petted them endlessly!

It was a special kind of welcome party. I think they've noticed that I was gone for days. That no big lady was pestering them around. They were so eager to get my attention and they can't stop licking me as if I tasted foreign and different. Probably I tasted a bit of sea breeze. 

I can't wait to travel with my dogs. We plan to go to Tagaytay during the holidays. I hope it pushes through. 

We missed each other! But now I'm home!

Chivas the ever cuddly one

He is very independent and he hates to be manhandled and petted. But for some reason, he stayed with me all afternoon and he kissed me endlessly. I think he knows we go way back. He's my original prince. 

The baby of the group. The overly ecstatic one. 

Tough Play

Out of all the dogs that I have, hands down, Harvey is the playful one. He doesn't tire easily and he seems to find different ways, effortlessly, to have fun. He could concentrate in bringing down a garbage can, hunt for pests and animals, chase running water, play with an object tirelessly and pester people to chase him. He just pipes down if he's tired and needs water, but that would take forever.

Being the more adventurous and energetic one, he instilled himself to be a semi-leader of the pack. He's the one who likes to run around and likes to give chase. Buddy, being technically the senior one, just observes from afar and occasionally joins the group if something interesting comes up. Chivas scrutinizes Harvey from afar, he doesn't like outdoor and rough play. He sometimes joins but only when his mood allows and he feels left out. Bruce on the other hand, being a puppy and the youngest, is the one left who encourages and supplies energy to the dog wonder, he always tries to get Harvey's attention. And he likes to be in whatever Harvey's doing.

Bruce, identified as a low energy dog, still has large bursts of energy and he always looks for Harvey to play with. He never bothers Buddy and he seems to be too bored and irritated with Chivas. Harvey is  his partner in crime. But Harvey's play may be a bit different from Bruce's. Harvey likes to play with objects while Bruce likes to play with him.

Bruce doesn't like toys or balls. He's not play driven by any particular object. He doesn't like to chase. He tries to run but he's obviously not made for that. He's too big and he often falls down or slips when he runs. He couldn't find balance well and be super agile like Harvey. What he does best is he wrestles. He likes to wrestle and taunt and he likes to do it with Harvey.

Bruce always starts the show when it comes to wrestling. He would wait until Harvey settles down and as soon as he pipes down, he taunts him. It's so weird looking at how the play starts. Basing it on size alone, Harvey wouldn't stand a chance. But Harvey's breed is a natural fighter so he never backs down. They would start to wrestle until Bruce runs away.  I have a hard time looking at them when it happens. It looks so real, but thankfully they do not inflict wounds at each other. I don't know how they do it.

Bruce would start to put his paw at Harvey's head or bite him in the neck then Harvey gets irritated then he runs away. Harvey likes to hunt and chase, so he runs for Bruce. Bruce gets into a sitting down position and they start to wrestle. Harvey seems to always gain the upper hand despite Bruce's size. As soon as Bruce feels fatigue, he runs away and they share a meal together. Ate Ne and Nanay have seen this a hundred times and it's always Bruce who starts the show. Harvey is more of object driven in play, but he never backs down on a good match.

It's so weird. I might not totally get animal nature, but it takes me a while to accept this kind of play. I always find myself pulling them away from each other, some sort of a referee, but I'm not going to be there 24/7. If it's play, then so be it. I just don't want them to get hurt or be naturally violent towards each other. This happens every day now, but no injuries and hatred so far. They still share a meal and hunt together. I just hope that this is just tough play and nothing more.

Harvey prepares to counter attack

They fight. Buddy looks on.

The wrestler

Harvey the Nut

Last week I noticed Harvey's right eye was swollen, semi-shut with a large bump. It looked like he was punched in the face. He looked terrible and I was worried. Well, I was the only one worried. He apparently didn't care. He was in his usual zone, the all-fun-hyper-energy kind of zone. I'm not sure if he noticed he couldn't see very well with his right eye. And just like I believe in any Jack Russells, they're the masters of C'est La Vie, life goes on even after an injury.

I asked Ate Ne how it happened because I was still at work at that time. She just smiled and told me we wouldn't finish narrowing the possibilities. My sister was not at all surprised. Apart from the bloody scratches, bumps and wounds he already had, the swollen eye was kind of expected, another category achieved because of his rambunctious nature.

I cringed. I wanted to get him to his vet just after days of bringing Bruce and cashing out 2,200 pesos. My mom took one look at Harvey and told me not to bother. His eye will open up soon and my mom is hardly an expert in analyzing injuries. Ate Ne and Nanay told me that his eye was worse the night before and it would heal by itself. I got an ice pack and subjected Harvey to home remedy. He hated it. He wanted to squirm around and get away.  While he was doing that, I was scolding him to death. And just like a stubborn Jack Russell, he gave me hell.

But after 3-4 days, his right eye became better. It's now back to normal. As always, he couldn't care less. He's this usual playful self that never tires out. I don't even know if this dog feels any pain.

There were theories on how he got his swollen eye:

1. He ran so fast that he couldn't stop himself and banged himself to some concrete object. - Possible
2. He was bitten by a very nasty insect cause he likes to go around bushes and hunt for pests - Possible
3. He likes to jump high and miscalculated - Possible, but he has never ever miscalculated on a jump
4. Bruce punched him during their tough plays -  I guess, but they harbored no hard feelings.
5. Chivas punched him and sprayed urine on him - My brother's theory

Out of all the possible theories, I got more votes on #2. It's hard for us to believe that the injury is caused by him alone. He is a master of his own speed, agility and heights. Unlike Bruce, he's not a klutz. His movements are exhibitions are calculated and well-executed. I think the injury was done by another agent, after all he caught a huge toad the other day and added 5 cockroaches in his collection. Yuck, Harvey! But I'm glad you're okay. 

My Harvey Boy in his Happy Camera Friendly moment

Harvey Palaboy

If I had to pick the most extroverted and lakwatsero dog in the pack, it would be Harvey. Hands down.

Every open car door is a signal for him to hop in. He always assumes he's part of the trip. The only car he won't go into is my dad's car. My dad instills this natural fear in our dogs.

As soon as he gets in, prepare be to annoyed. The driver has to be patient and the windows locked. Harvey is not a pain to travel with. He likes to observe, but he likes to pick the best spot which is at front. Backseat never sits well with him unless he's super tired or Nanay's with us. 

I promised him Tagaytay as soon as I'm done with work this year. And I need a patient driver. 

Sun Valley Dog Marathon

Sun Valley Dog Marathon
Sponsored by: Sun Valley Pet Club
Date: Sept. 29, 2012

Though I'm not a runner and I haven't technically joined any marathons as of this date, I love Marathons especially if it's for my dogs. I've transformed into a supportive sans stage parent when it comes to these things. I see dog marathons as opportunities to get my dogs socialized, have them (and the owner) exercised and have a  fun and healthy bonding experience outside the premises of my home. All I would have to do is to wake up early, find someone who actually likes to run with them and prepare my camera and a group of supporters.

For this Dog Marathon, it happened inside the village and organized by the village pet club.  There's a 3K race and a 1.5 K dog walkathon race.

Harvey naturally is our best bet for runs like these, and JD, being the only athletic member of our family is his formidable partner. They've done a dog race before in MOA sponsored by Pet Express in 2011 so this isn't a first. Unfortunately, he was late in reminding me that he will be competing in the UAAP table tennis in this date. I panicked. I don't even walk 1.5K by choice, so there's no way I would survive the 3K race! I doubt if they would have ambulance available and I would not dare imagine myself being carried in the village pick up truck either. My mom had agreed to walk Chivas and looking at my sister, I dare not ask. I needed to find a replacement or Harvey's potentials would be ruined.


Thanks to Ate Ne, Harvey's ultimate disciplinarian and boss, she volunteered. Ate Ne, ran the 3K wearing her favorite black sandals, short black shorts and hot pink shirt. According to the racegoers, Harvey and Ate Ne led the race on the first 2 kilometers, but on the 3rd, their hyped up energy in the first rounds took a toll on them.  They didn't place, but finished in the top 10 out of may be 25. Not bad.

Chilling at the back of the Car and meeting Mitch's mom

Bruce at 3.5 Months

Me and Bruce!

My original prince

See Ate ne with her Sandals and Harvey Speeding away

Mama and Chivas - the unexpected 3rd placers

Chivas and mom were the over competitive ones. My mom couldn't get over the fact that they won 3rd place and Chivas was as equally pliant and competitive as she was. We didn't hear the end of her bragging until the next day. They were our surprise champions. They wouldn't miss the awarding for the world.

3rd placers

Chilling

The pair

And this marathon is very important because it's the first opportunity for Bruce to get socialized. Now this is my department. When we got Bruce, he was so fearful and shy. We had a hard time making him explore the house. He would always stay in one corner and would not even step down on a short flight of stairs. We would nudge his food away just so he would be forced to get out of that shell. It worked a few days and he did improve, but I noticed how fearful he was in this marathon. He would only stay at the backseat. He would look around but never interact. Stress triggers sleep as he slept throughout the blessing part. We even had a hard time walking him from the car to the gym. But despite his fears and stress, I'd like to think he enjoyed by seeing new things and encountering a new territory. At least he was able to expose himself to dogs and strangers. I learned that he isn't aggressive. He's just shy.

This race was so fruitful as we learned so much from our dogs and celebrated the surprise successes of some. In these types of races, winning is just an extra. I don't really even care if we win or not. It's all about bonding and having fun.

Special thanks to Mitch Bautista for the photos!