by Beks
Today was a rough day. I was working and wasn’t able to check your amazingly encouraging comments. 2% of me was worried about what you all would think, 98% of me was worried about whether or not Hutch would pull through.
The vet called to tell us things were going well at 10:00 a.m. By 2:00 p.m., they called to tell us he had taken a sudden and unexpected turn backward. The swelling increased and his breathing was difficult – he would likely pass before the end of the day. They asked us to approve a laser treatment as a last ditch effort to save his life and for 20 minutes I debated whether or not I was throwing good money after bad.
We approved the treatment – even though it was $200 more dollars.
I cried, and cried, and…cried more as my husband drove to the vet after I got off work.
OK, let me take a stress relief laugh moment here – I have cried buckets over this sweet dog. My husband has been the calm, strong, decision maker and hasn’t shed a tear. As I apologized for my excessive crying, my husband said, “Don’t worry hon, I cried today too. They played a replay of Emmitt Smith’s Hall of Fame speech and it really choked me up.”
I wanted to kill him.
“Are you serious? We’re losing our dog and you cried over Emmitt Smith’s Hall of Fame speech? Are you freaking kidding me?!?” I asked as I glared at him while wiping my snotty nose.
“Honey, you should have heard it. He was thanking Daryl Johnston, and man, it was emotional.” He said seriously.
Fortunately for him, I can’t afford another medical bill.
Back to the story – we arrived at the vet and…
the laser worked. The vet was all smiles and told us Hutch’s prognosis was good. Then they brought him out for me to spend time with. His face looked like a crazy comic character (see below – but don’t look if you’re queasy) but he made some big steps in the right direction.
We won’t know until tomorrow if he is officially safe or not (we’re waiting on blood tests and swelling reduction). They have to keep him for another night tonight as the venom moves from his face, down his throat, and into his chest. There is still a high risk for suffocation but the vet seems optimistic.
Thank you so very much for your encouragement. I really, really needed it.
Again – don’t look if you are queasy….
Hutch as a puppy 12 months ago…
Hutch a few hours ago…
Beks is a full-time government employee who enjoys blogging late into the night after her four kids have gone to sleep. She’s been married to Chris, her college sweetheart, for 15 years. In 2017, after 3 long years working the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps, they paid off more than $70K and became debt free. When she’s not working or blogging, she’s exploring the great outdoors.
The poor little guy!!!! HE’s so swollen!!! I am so glad that you got very optimistic news from the vet….hopefully tomorrow little Hutch will begin to look like his old self again.. What an ordeal for you two…try to get some rest tonight…hope the tide has turned and he’s on thie mend….take care.
I’m actually shocked that he made it all the way to the vet’s office after being bitten by a rattlesnake.
Healing vibes to Hutch and calming vibes to you!!
Speaking as someone who religiously puts $150/mo. into a fund for my pet’s veterinary care, I totally think you are doing all the right things for Hutch.
In my eyes, there are only three things worthy of taking on debt for: The purchase of a house, *and both legal and medical expenses when needed to protect yourself or someone you care about.* Pets definitely qualify!
Oh, I am so relieved…I was so worried. I sure hope he pulls through-can’t believe the pics. Poor Hutch! I feel so sorry for him. That is some swelling! Keep us posted and I’ll say another prayer for him.
Take care of yourself. I know it’s not easy. My son got the H1N1 last year a week before his Make a Wish trip and was on a vent within 48 hours. I was devasted. It’s not easy when your stressed. People and pets are the same in my book. I totally understand spending in that regard.
LOL on the husband and Emmitt Smith’s speech Hall of Fame Speech…not sure what else to say…I think the goood news was that your husband made a good decision to save Hutch when it counted the most.
A girl’s gotta do what a girls gotta do. My dog is the love of my life! I would shell out some serious dough to save his life. Look how much people with kids spend on their kids…daycare, insurance video games, sports fees… A dog is part of your family & if you can come up with the money to pay for his vet bills, it’s no one elses business. Here’s to hoping he makes a speedy recovery.
Aww! Poor baby. Hope he heals completely and quickly.
I am so glad he is doing better! Pets are part of the family. And in the end, the debt is worth it. Poor puppy……
I think responsible pet owners know when enough is enough. In your case, you had to at least try. And it seems to be working!!!
I’m so happy that he’s doing better. I pray that everything goes today and that he regains his cutie pie looks.
Keeping my fingers crossed that he will pull through. Sounds like you have a tough little guy there!
You totally did the right thing. We just paid $8K for cancer radiation treatment for our cat and it has already given us another month with him. Some people just don’t understand. But I do.
I cried yesterday when I read about your pup. I have three, all were shelter dogs or strays, and I’d sooner part with my hands than lose my dogs!
You’ll get back on track with the budget. It’ll work out. Thanks for taking over the blog and giving the rest of us courage. <<<>>>
I’m so glad your puppy is doing better.
Poor baby pup! That’s so sad but I’m so glad he’s improving. Keep us posted.
heres to Hutch’s full recovery! I’ll still keep him in my thoughts. Hope he returns home soon and the laser treatment works.
-ak
Hoping he pulls through!
If he does, at your next regular vet visit discuss the rattlesnake vaccine. If there are rattlers in your area it should be available. It’ll be about $50 extra on top of his usual shots but well worth it to avoid this happening again.
Oooohhhh….poor baby! He looks like he is wearing a fat suit. I bet he was happy to see you. So glad he is doing better. Fingers crossed that the treatment continues to go well
I showed my 8 year old son the photo of Hutch’s swollen face, he was saddened as I was. We both wish Hutch a speedy recovery, and I can’t tell my husband enough about how responible you both are and what great parents Hutch has – filled with integrity!
oh the poor baby!!! I hope he feels a lot better today. Hang in there!! We’re thinking about all of you.
You can do it Hutch! If Hutch has the will to fight just like his owners, he will be just fine!!
Oh poor Hutch! He does NOT look happy. He looks like he needs a lot of hugs and he needs to be spoiled rotten! I wish him a speedy and complete recovery. And yeah, someone’s gotta go out and find those rattlesnakes and “do the right thing” so this doesn’t happen again. Poor baby. 🙁
Well, at least he won’t play with snakes anymore. I bet he’s learned his lesson!
Positive thoughts to Hutch and to you and your husband. I teared up at work yesterday, while reading your entry. I’m so glad things are looking up for Hutch. My husband and I would have done the same thing – our dog, to us, is a member of our family and we would spare no cost to help him.
Sending Positive Vibes!
Thanks for sharing your good news. Can’t remember who said it yesterday – but this is WHY you are trying to get out of debt – so you can get through the emergencies. You can actually afford the vet now. What is it Suzie Orman says? People first, then money, then things. Your pup is a person for sure. I remember being surprised when she “approved” a mother on her call in show to spend money to go see her son before he shipped out to Iraq. Her finances wern’t in very good shape, but Suzie said “people first”.
You did the right thing – God Bless you.
Just wanted you to know that I will be saying some prayers for Hutch — poor sweet thing. I was thinking about him last night when I was petting my Trixi & Shadow. I told Taco last year and it about killed me. LOVED him — he was my friend. Still miss him. So you do whatever your heart tells you to take care of your baby — those who criticize would likely deny treatment for their own family members…. lol!! Big Hugs!!
OMG….what a sweet heart! I about cried when I say these pics! Don’t doubt for ONE second you did the right thing!
Oh, poor Hutch!!!!! I hope he gets better soon! It sounds like he’s in good hands, though!
Your poor, sweet boy! I’m so glad he’s still with us. Hope the news today is good.
Thank goodness he’s doing better! Praying for a full recovery!
God Love him. We hope he recovers quickly.
Well I just burst into tears looking at that poor sweet pup. I’ve been thinking about you and Hutch. Hope there is good news. <3
Poor thing! Sending good juju your way! He’s so adorable and I am praying he makes it through!
So glad he’s getting better, and here’s hoping and praying he continues to do so. I thought of you alot after reading your initial post about your sweet dog and how frustrating it must be to feel like you’ve taken a step back. But I agree with Sandra above; this is why you are getting out of debt, to handle these situations. You could never regret the decision that you and your husband have made. Hutch will reward you; that’s what dogs do. Best of luck.
Here’s hoping both your dog and your hubby survive.
Aww…poor baby! My husband shed a tear over Emmitt Smith too *insert eye roll here* I hope Hutch feels better soon.
I’m so glad he is doing better, poor guy. Our dogs are our family and we spent 1200 for a blown out knee when one of them was 9yrs old and she lived to be 14, worth every penny!
You are great owners to this sweet & lucky dog – I cried reading your post and looking at the photos.
Oh poor Hutch! I’m still praying for him…knowing he will make it through!! poor guy!!
i bet he was so happy to see you. I’m so glad he’s improving and hope to hear very good news! praying for Hutch 🙂
Glad to hear the positive news…hope it stays that way.
Thanks for sharing a picture, it really helps put it all in perspective. Hang in there.
My husband and i are rooting for Hutch! You made the right decision, Beks.
Oh, I feel for him. The swelling looks miserable. Poor guy. Good choice on the laser $200 in the scheme of things is a paltry sum! I’m glad it worked and hope his swelling goes away quickly. As much as my dogs make me crazy, they are worth it.
Poor little cuddlebug! Hope all goes well!
Dear Beks,
I so wish that I had read this earlier to give you some comforting words… this exact same thing happened to my dog years ago. She was a Cocker Spaniel, about Hutch’s age when she was bitten in the throat by a Copperhead.
We couldn’t imagine our family without her, so we gave the vets permission for any treatment they thought might save her. You know what? After a few rough days she made it just fine! She lived 14 more years without any related health problems. Her neck stayed a bit floppy, a reminder of how much we loved her.
Hutch looks like he’s made it through the rough part, and I expect that he’ll improve quickly from here on.
PS I’ll never forget when my dad returned from the vet. Silent, he grabbed a hoe, went out back and hunted that snake down. Only when he found it did he unleash, at the top of his lungs, a string of the unholiest words I’ve ever heard. That snake didn’t have a chance.