It is 7:30 when I awake and realize that everyone is already gone for the day. I attempt a cold shower and dry off with a fleece hoody that I had packed for cold evenings (still no towel). When I come outside it looks like rain and the weather cannot be warmer than 60. I get myself together and head over to the shelter to begin the morning rounds.
When I arrive Terre has just realized that her poodle is deceased. She is crying and not in the mood to try to communicate with me. So, I go into the surgical area to check on the other sick dog that spent the night there. Incidentally, the dog belongs to the two sisters that also volunteer at the shelter. The dog feels cool to the touch and hasn’t urinated despite the massive amount of fluids being given. Her CRT is greater than 2 seconds and I become concerned about her. The girls try to get her to move, and she takes 2 steps, collapses on the floor, and dies right at my feet. It was horrible. More crying ensued, but because I don’t speak Spanish, I find the entire process of consoling my new friends very difficult. Instead, I keep myself busy doing a necropsy and taking care of the other animals.
I also met another veterinarian today, her name is Veronica, and she is more like a tech than a veterinarian. She was schooled at the university in Ambato and I am beginning to learn that not all veterinarians are created equal. I find myself teaching her things that I have learned, and she is very receptive. I hope we can help one another learn more.
Despite their recent tragedy, the sisters again take me to lunch. Their younger sister and friend (Margherita) join us. Margherita is pretty cool, she loves to speak English (really just loves the USA) and is funny. She’s completely decked out in Aeropostale, smells of something from Victoria’s Secret, and her cell phone ring tone is Katy Perry’s I Kissed a Girl. Let’s just say that she is going to make my life here a little more colorful. Today’s lunch was ceviche, a cold tomato based soup with shrimp and onions. I have to say this was not one of the better meals I have had so far… and the girls ended up finishing it for me.
The rest of the afternoon was spent cleaning and researching the death of the dog this morning. As the day proceeded, another dog was euthanized due to being hit by a car. Most of the day is spent without Diego’s help, so I am left to make some uncomfortable decisions while he is gone. The day ends with 2 more spays and Maygora being attacked by a French poodle that caused puncture wounds to her face and hand. I must say that I am very grateful for this day to end. I attempt to walk the two blocks home from the shelter, but am verbally assaulted (in Spanish, of course) by another veterinarian as I try to leave. The only thing I get out of the one-sided conversation is “Carrie, NO!” Which leads me to believe that I am not to walk home alone in the dark. So, Terre loads me into her car and drives me the minute long journey home.
Upon arrival, I change clothes and decide to bother Sandy to help me access the internet. She is more than willing and invites me to join them for dinner of corn, goat cheese, pineapple juice, and Domino’s Pizza breadsticks. That’s right folks, I just had Domino’s Pizza breadsticks with dinner in Ecuador.
OMG AGAIN!!! I thought the last entry read like a movie...I gasped when I read about the dog dying at your feet...that is horrible! Sounds like you are just running the place at this point. You are such a rock star.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I had Papa John's in China...and it is fine dining to them..very strange and very comforting at the same time.