Dog Diary - End of week 8 - The Week I Casually Almost Died

Diary,

I was meant to have ear surgery next week.

I would like to make that very clear.

Instead, I decided to escalate matters.

Tuesday — The First Clue That Something Was Very Wrong

On Tuesday morning, the woman attempted to wake me for breakfast. This was already offensive.

I am not a “breakfast dog.”I am a late sleeper, a night thinker, a philosophical creature who prefers to wake naturally, ideally around brunch.

When the woman pulled back my blanket, she found… something.

At first, she thought I may have had an accident overnight. While this would have been out of character, she was gentle and unconcerned — I am, after all, an elderly lady.

Then she realised the substance was not urine.

And that it was, alarmingly, coming out of me.

This caused what humans refer to as panic.

The Rescue was called.
Then the vet.

Our favourite vet was on leave. I do not approve of this choice, but apparently vets are “allowed” holidays.

My second-favourite vet was booked out for two full days.

The receptionist asked a different vet if it sounded urgent and reported back that it was “probably not an emergency.”

Diary, it turns out this was incorrect.

Wednesday & Thursday — The Longest Two Days Ever

The humans watched me closely.

I was still eating.
Still affectionate.
Still licking my legs like a haunted Victorian child. (The woman who completes my Diary entries due to having opposable thumbs would like to note that opinions about haunted Victorian children held by the original writer are not necessary opinions she shares).

Two very slow days passed.

On the morning of my long-awaited appointment, the clinic rang to say the vet had been called into an emergency surgery and could not see me until the following week.

The woman activated her mum voice.

“No,” she said calmly. 
“That is not good enough.... You will see her today" I heard the woman state as a fact and not a choice.

We were seen that day by a new vet — a woman I had never met before, who immediately took me seriously. My legs shook and Luke-man held me close. 

The vet examined me.
She took samples.
She did a scraping from inside my ears (rude but necessary).

Then she delivered the news:

I had “lots and lots and lots and LOTS” of bacteria in my uterus.

I was dangerously close to pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection.

My uterus needed to be removed immediately.

If it ruptured, the bacteria would enter my bloodstream and I would die.

No pressure.

The woman and Luke-man explained that I was booked for ear surgery the following week.

The vet said:
• I could not wait until next week
• I could not wait until the weekend
• This had to happen now

The plan changed instantly.

Friday — Surgery Day (A Very Big One)

I arrived at the vet first thing in the morning.

They were waiting for me.

I was placed straight onto fluids.
In the afternoon, I was given medicine to make me sleepy.
Then a team of people worked very hard to save my life.

The surgery took much longer than expected.

My uterus was in very poor condition.
The incision was larger than normal.
I have many internal and external stitches to prove it.

At the same time, my ears were thoroughly cleaned and treated with a special medication that lasts an entire month.

This alone is life-changing.

Best of all:
I am not allowed to have a bath or get water in my ears for four weeks.

This is the happiest outcome of my entire life.

The bacteria from my ears may be sent away for testing so a targeted antibiotic can be made specifically for me.

All of this — the emergency surgery, hospital stay, anaesthetic, medication, testing — costs a lot of money.

Money the Rescue did not expect to spend.
Money they still need help covering.

Friday Night — The Humans Without Me

The humans were told to collect me at 5:30pm, but arrived much earlier because they could not stand waiting.

I was asleep in a cosy bed with pillows, blankets, and heated weighted covers.
The vet staff loved me deeply and treated me like their own.

The humans wanted to climb into the bed with me.

Because my surgery went so long, I was still deeply asleep — even Luke-man holding my head couldn’t wake me.

The vets decided it was safest for me to stay overnight on a drip.

The humans went home without me.

They hated it.

Saturday — Home Again

The humans arrived before the clinic even opened to collect me.

I came home.
I ate.
I took my medication perfectly.
I wore my cone like a champion.
I demanded belly rubs within 24 hours of major abdominal surgery.

The humans are keeping the house calm and quiet.
One of them is always within arm’s reach.
They are watching me closely and helping me heal.

Diary, I would like to say something important now.

If not for the Rescue —
If not for the humans acting quickly —
If not for the vet who refused to dismiss my symptoms —

I would not be here.

The rescue now needs help to cover the cost of the surgery that saved my life and the ongoing care that will help me finally live without constant pain.

If anyone reading this can donate, please know:
You are not just helping a dog.

You are helping me.

End of Week Two.
Mission: Survive Emergency Surgery. Begin Healing. Accept Worship.
Status: Sore, Safe, Grateful.

Sara
Emergency Surgery Survivor
Medical Marvel
Cone-Wearing Champion
Very Expensive But Worth It

But Most important:The Girl Who Lived