Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Sad news, Happy news, and "Ahhhhhhh"

First the sad news...

The other night the dogs in the colonias were making a huge fuss over something. It sounded like they were on our street, and I wondered if the three dogs over at the shop were involved. There was lots of barking and one dog was howling as if it was cryinig. The next day none of the dogs from the shop were around. Over the last several days two of them have straggled back, but the third - the black and white terrier with one lame leg, was not to be seen. I instinctively knew something had happened to him, and today Miguel got confirmation from one of the guys at the shop. They'd found the dog dead on the main avenue, assuming he was hit by a car. I don't know if I buy that, but in any case, the poor little guy is gone, and I am haunted by the sound of that howling and thinking it must have been him. The constant sad things on this island just tear at your heart. I'm angry with the owner for not taking care of his dogs, and I want to take the other two off the road and over to Alison's house before something happens to them too. But I'm reminded that they are not strays, I can't just grab them and run. But I'd like to!

Now the happy news...

The little puppy we picked up off the road 2.5 weeks ago and took to Delfino's has been adopted. His mange is being treated and he has a new owner. I am so happy for him, and just hope he was adopted by someone who will protect him.

And now for the 'Ahhhhh'...

Loco is itchy, he has something going on and we are waiting for a visit from Delfino to see what is making him so itchy that he is chewing his skin (no, it's not fleas or ticks, he is actually clear of those for a change).

And I'm itchy too. The rash on my chest is mostly cleared up, not sure what that ever was. But the puppy mentioned above might have given me his mange. The fronts of my shins have developed bumps and are sooooo itchy. Miguel diagnosed it and blamed the puppy, who had casually rested his mangy head on my legs as we drove him into town and then over to the clinic. I washed my legs as soon as we got home, but the 'rash' showed up and I've been wondering how long I'll put off getting it treated. I always like to give my body a chance to do its job and heal itself before butting in with medical treatment.

I looked it up on the web and if it is mange it has a limited life on humans - our skin just doesn't support all the cycles needed to develop into much. I have decided if I ignore it, it will go away, and ignoring it means not scratching it. I managed to go one whole day and not lay a single fingernail on my shins, but the next day, I just gave it a little scratch and that was all I had to do to get a good digging scratch going for a couple of minutes.

Yesterday I was prepared to give in and go to the doctor, but Miguel was away all day so I didn't get a chance, and today I think it looks like it's finally starting to subside. However, I am still treating myself to one good scratch a day. Today I did it in the tub...and oh, it felt soooooo good. I can't wait for scratch time tomorrow. Both Loco and I enjoy our 'oh what a relief it is' time by getting a good scratch going. Loco also chews, and if I could reach my shins like Loco can, I'd probably chew on them too. It feels THAT good. Ahhhhh...

5 comments:

Bennie said...

I'm glad to hear the puppy got adopted. And as for the contortion positions you are talking about trying... Let me know when you swing it off.

Life's a Beach! said...

Sue, I'm so sorry about the little dog at the shop. And I'm sorry you got the mange! I'm always getting weird rashes. My doctor diagnosed the rash on my shoulders as eczema, but the prescription ointment just made the itching worse. So I use hydrocortisone cream when the itching starts.

We'll probably borrow or rent bikes at least one day on Isla, so maybe we'll stop by if we don't run into you in town! And we'll be out south to snorkel, eat, etc.... Craig loves to go out to Indio's and fish off the dock. I'll be on the island for an extra week after Craig goes home.

jeanie said...

I am sad about the little terrier but happy about the puppy.

Itching is a horrible affliction. I have chronic urticaria. I stopped looking for a cause years ago and just treat the symptoms. Regardless of the cause, all itching increases with heat. Cold helps it subside. Sometimes rubbing with ice helps. Often, It's the palms of my hands so I grab a cold can of pop and switch it out often. Antihistamines also help. I take Hydroxyzine. Good luck!

Islagringo said...

Oh, the jokes that could be made about you having mange!

I've noticed lately that on the main road, right by the turn off to your street, more and more dogs are congregating. I almost hit a big blond one yesterday when it suddenly ran out in front of me. Glad to have avoided that.

I have to walk past your house Thursday morning, after dropping the car off at the mechanic. Is it safe to be on foot with all those dogs around now?

Sue said...

Bennie - don't hold your breath on that one, there's something called belly roll that stops the upper half from reaching the lower half.

Beck - we rarely go to town but hopefully you can stop by.

Jeanie - I hate itchy palms but doesn't it mean you're coming into some money? Might have to wait a lifetime for it, but you should expect a windfall one day.

Wayne - I know the dog you mean. I'm not sure where he lives, down by your mechanic, I think. The other dogs are probably the three over at the shop (well, now there's only two). Don't worry, they are all friendly, they are sometimes aggressive towards each other (mine are actually the worst), but they don't bother humans at all, unless they think there is food to be had and then they'll loyally follow you down the road. Tell them to 'vamos' though, and they're gone.