A Long Weekend

[Forestgal]

Well, my camping trip with the SCCampers group has turned into something you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy ...

I got to the campground -- Far West Resorts in Santa Paula -- and got all settled. Jed and I visited with our friends and enjoyed just relaxing. All was going well until we went to bed. About 10:30 Jed woke up with a start and to make a long story short, I ended up taking him to an emergency clinic. Apparently in our visiting he found some strychnine that had be put out to kill gophers.

The only good thing about this whole nightmare is that I was 20 miles from a state-of-the-art medical-surgical clinic. Within minutes of getting him there he had a seizure, and then another one that couldn't be controlled with a shot. So they completely anesthetized him to prevent further seizures.

I went back to the campground around 1 a.m. and tried to sleep. In the morning I packed up and hauled myself and the trailer over to the clinic and camped out in the parking lot for the day. They kept him anesthetized until late last night, when they began to wean him off the meds. No more seizures ...

My good friend drove up in my "putt-putt" car (a VW Rabbit), and has taken the Explorer & trailer home. I stayed in a Holiday Inn last night, just so I could get some sleep. It was a good call ...

I've been on the phone with the clinic this morning and Jed is slowly waking up. He's off all of the IV meds to keep him asleep and so far so seizures. Looks like we've turned the corner. The next step is to get him to eat and drink a little. Hopefully we'll be able to go home later today ...

I've been to this campground twice before, and for the life of me can't figure out why on earth anyone would want to put out a lethal poison where dogs and little kids play. The campground manager showed me the can of gopher "bait" and I have a picture of it, so there's no doubt that that's what Jed got into. Blood samples will simply back up what we already know. I can't keep from thinking "what if ..." Needless to say, I'll be contacting the corporation that owns the campground for a little chat, and a bill for the expenses I've incurred -- including my hotel stay. Jed's vet bill will easily be near $3000. But at least he's alive and will have no ill-effects from the poison.

This whole thing has been surreal. If it hadn't been for the incredible facility so nearby I'd have lost Jed. Loosing a weekend seems like a small price to pay in exchange for my big boy ...

[avalen]

omg how horrible, this brings tears to my eyes, so glad you took him in right away
and that the place was fairly close. I certainly hope he recooperates well with no
after effects. Hugs for you both.

[mitch5252]

..

Oh, I am so sorry you both had to go through this! What a horror.
What in the world were those stupid SOBs thinking???
I know we all love our dogs beyond belief, but what if it had been a little kid?
I just (more and more lately) don't understand the idiocy of people...how do they survive from day to day being so incredibly stupid!

I, too, hope there are no lingering effects on that beautiful dog.
And I hope you get some real satisfaction from those responsible for this.

Good luck! And hugs to Jed!

..

[Cedar518]

Laura,... I'm so glad that Jed is coming out of it ok. That was horrible... and totally inexcusable on the part of the campground management. Go get em!

Hugs to you and Jed!

[JanetA]

where was that campground?
I never wanna go there or to any other that company owns! Hope you get your vet bills reimbursed.

Hoping that sweet pup is ALL BETTER!

hugs!

[Sparkle]

I was thinking I'd read a little chatty piece on someones camping trip. I did not expect that horrible experience you had to go through. Thank you for posting this. It will make us all more aware of dangers at campgrounds. The worst thing out here is our dogs eating deer scat. As a friend puts it, her dog had the squirts for nearly two weeks. Messy, but not nearly as bad as what you went through. Thank heavens you woke up in time to save him.

[Nasoosie]

Holy Cow, Laura----what a horribly scary weekend you had, and how awful for poor Jed. Thank heavens you were close to a good vet facility, as you said. I can't imagine being out too far to get the help he needed. I would have been totally frantic, as I am sure you were.

Please keep us updated on how he made out today after coming out of his sedated state. Thank heavens the vets knew what to do to help him. And I sure do hope you get reimbursed for the expenses to save his life.

Made me cry to read this---I was afraid to continue for fear of the worst scenario.....so happy for the outcome for both you and Jed.

I hope the both of you can get some much needed sleep after a good supper tonight, and that you hug each other tightly! Frightening weekend.

[WickedLady]

If that happened to my Monty I would probably end up in jail after bashing some heads together. Don't let them get away with it.

[BirdbyBird]

Keeping him in our thoughts and prayers........ And sending you strength to battle the powers that be for the expenses to be paid......

[carold]

Laura, like Sparkle, I was totally looking forward to hearing about a great weekend. Glad to hear that Jed will be ok. Bet he'll be getting spoiled when he gets home, even more than he already was Keep us updated about Jed and your battle with the campground owners. Hopefully, they will step up to the plate. carold

[Rufflesgurl]

So very sorry to hear about Jed and, of course, your headache and heartache. Am very glad to hear that Jed is coming out of this hideous thing.

You take care of you AND Jed

Linda

[Forestgal]

Thanks for your support everyone.

Jed is hanging in there. We're both still in Ventura, but his progress is steady -- slow, but improving. He's not found his sea legs yet and acts more like a stuffed animal than the big old boy he is. No seizures, though, which is a true answer to prayer.

I spent about an hour with him this afternoon. I'd post a picture, but I can't seem to get the image code from Photobucket to copy here ... hmmm.

Well, hopefully we'll be on our way home by lunchtime tomorrow. Thanks for your prayers, but keep praying that he figures out how to walk again.

[Paulette]

Oh what a truly awful thing for the two of you to have to go through. You are both in my prayers.

[Redetotry]

I'm so sorry what a horrible thing to happen! My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

[OutandAbout]

I too always look forward to reading about ones camping trip. I didn't want to read anymore, but had to find out what happen to Jed. I'm truly glad he seems to be coming out of it and will be OK. Sending good thoughts to you and especially Jed. Linda