Doom Dogs

[Drunk Monk]

 

 

PEOPLE + CULTURE

The First Dog to Walk Around the World Arrives Home

BY JUSTIN HOUSMAN   |   MAY 23, 2022

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Her name is Savannah. She lives in New Jersey. Seven years, nearly 40 countries, and 28,583 miles ago, she set off with her owner, Tom Turcich, on a walk across the globe. This past Saturday the two of them walked into New Jersey, finishing the adventure. Turcich became the 10th man to walk around the world. But Savannah is the first dog to do it. 
Savannah has had quite the life. Turcich rescued her from a shelter in Texas as a puppy. She’s grown up on the road, never knowing what it means to get to know a place. The most well-traveled dog in history is finally going to stop walking, turn around three or five times, then take a seat in her home. 
Turcich embarked when he was 26. Two of his childhood friends unexpectedly died when he was a teenager, shocking Turcich into a realization that life is unpredictable, occasionally short, and doesn’t wait for you. He felt like moving, exploring, experiencing. So he saved up money throughout his early 20s, and just before his birthday, packed up gear and started walking southeast.
“It was hard in the beginning,” said his mom Catherine of watching her son grieve, then begin a monumental journey with no end in sight. “He was so young … and I thought: what’s he getting himself into? But once he got through South America I realised he knew what he was doing, and that’s when I bought into it and embraced it.”
Turcich began the trip by himself, but after sleepless nights and some loneliness on the road, he decided to find a dog as a partner. He pulled into a shelter in Austin and there was Savannah. Just a few months old, abandoned on the side of a Texas highway. Turcich found his buddy.

It was supposed to be a continuous five-year journey. But COVID restrictions, illnesses, and bureaucratic setbacks meant Tircuch and Savannah had to be creative and piece together a route that circumnavigated the world (you can see his route at theworldwalk.com, though you’ll have to join as a Patreon supporter).
Savannah nearly died of an illness in South America. She was held up at knifepoint with Turcich. The pair endured blistering heat in jungles. But still, little Savanah kept padding right alongside Turcich. 
“There were these days in Peru when we’d be walking in the desert and I was really, really dragging, as the days were so monotonous … and I remember looking down at Savannah wondering how she feels,” Turcich told the Sydney Morning Herald. 
“But she does the 24 miles, eight hours a day, without complaint – and her tail is always held high. She’s a true professional.”

 

Yuki and I walked 5 blocks to the dog park today…

[Greg]

My dogs used to walk with me.......

Pupdate: Dani had a large mass removed from her rear about two months ago. The was good size, about the size of a golfball. She had a really nasty metal zipper set of sutures on her back. Well, the hair hasn't fully grown back from where it was shaved off, but the lump is back bigger than ever. It's about the size of a softball now. I'll be back at the vets next Wednesday. I guess I have reached that time with both dogs for dog problems.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

I'm so sorry, Greg. Those dogs are better than family.

[Greg]

It sucks. But it's what happens.

[Drunk Monk]

Sorry to hear.

[Drunk Monk]

Thursday I was in the ER for my back.
Tonight I was steri-stripping my wrist back together.
Worst 4th of July ever. Amirite Lynch lair?

I woke up late due to the meds and being on vacation. Stacy found a chiro nearby that’s well recommended so I booked an appointment, then she gave me a hot stone treatment where I took another nap, then I took a hot bath while Stacy & Yuki took a quick hike at Pogonip. After a healing restful day, and regular meds, my body felt okay.

Yuki and I head to the dog park and he plays with his friends while I chat with the other dog parents. It’s a low turnout yet pleasant, and my back is feeling okay. It ends with Yuki & Georgie the boxer who usually get along fine. Georgie’s mom Susan is a local artist who’s sister dated Buck’s dad. We’ve had many delightful conversations. After a bit more hanging out, we both decide it’s time to go.

I leash Yuki and as she’s leashing Georgie, the dogs attack each other. I’m not sure who started it but Georgie got on top of Yuki being taller. I have Yuki’s leash in my right and try to get Georgie on my left.

I get bit on the wrist. I think it was Georgie but it happened fast. It yanked my left side hard and I got a nervy jolt from my wrist. For a moment, I think it’s a severed tendon but I have full use of my fingers now so that wasn’t so.

We separate the dogs and head our ways. Susan is very concerned and apologetic (it wasn’t her fault at all) but I dash to my car to get my 1st aid kit. I get Yuki in and slap some 3x3’s over the gash. It’s a 3/4 lac, a tear that’s about a half inch from my artery but no arterial spray.  Nevertheless, it’s bleeding profusely - that dark deep blood - probably a vein for my blood to be so dark - and I sense the edge of shock creeping in - the norco is reducing the pain but it’s also affecting my judgement. 

I drive the few blocks home one-handed, trying to maintain pressure on my wrist when my right hand is t on the wheel. Fortunately the gash has a bit of a flap that seals ok. I get home as Stacy is playing the piano and tell her I need help. She makes sure that I don’t bleed on the new carpet.

Our medicine cabinet is a mess and I struggle to find steri-strips. I know I have some and that’s just what I need to close the wound. It’s a challenge to do it one-handed and I’m not coherent enough to explain to Stacy what I need or what I’m doing, so she assists as best as she can. Plus I’m definitely on the edge of shock so words are escaping me. The cut is in the crease of my wrist - an odd angle to patch but I manage.

I changed the bandage before going to bed because it was oozing a little. It should seal up ok as long as it doesn’t get infected. I washed it in soapy water, soaked it, hit it with some alcohol preps (youch!), and some antibiotic gel. It feels ok now. 

I hate to see that much of my own blood. 

What a crappy 4th of July weekend.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Jeezuss. Lynch Lair and Bungalow SC are having a shitty holiday.

[Drunk Monk]

Painful and expensive

Holiday weekend is over now. Let’s get back to work dammit.

[Greg]

When the dog bites.
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad.

As a a matter of fact I did watch the AFI tribute to Julie Andrews this week.

[Drunk Monk]

I can’t fucking believe it. I got bit again.

This is day #25 of chronic pain - I first noted it here on June 24. (http://brotherhoodofdoom.com/doomForum/s...7#pid57317) It actually precedes that but it was then when it progressed from a minor ache to a crippling pain. Since then Ive had a few moments of relief but mostly, it’s been constant. It’s driving me to madness. 

Tonight, I sat down to some turmeric tea (anti-inflammatory) and tuned into Way of the Househusband just for something mindless. Yuki was at my feet and unbeknownst to me, he was gnawing on a prized pizzle stick. I must’ve put my foot down on the stick - he’s very possessive of food - and he attacked my ankle. Bit me a few times - when Yuki’s battle floor rises, he’s all fangs and fur - drew blood in two places. It’s not as bad as the bite on my palm (which is still healing and requires a new dressing every day). 

It’s superficial really but I am so pissed off - not at Yuki so much as all crap Ive had to put up with lately. Like I said, it’s driving me to madness. Chronic pain is relentless. I find myself making dumb mistakes, possibly due to the medications. Yesterday I left the bungalow without my wallet or keys but fortunately, I also forgot to lock the back door. For today’s meeting, I was unprepared without pen or notepaper and forgot that the yard workers were coming, leaving the windows and back door open (the good thing about telemeetings is you can excuse yourself and turn off the mic & camera). I’ve been having difficulties typing too.  

The bite is on my left ankle. 

Death will come to me from the left.

[Greg]

Bently, the Woodbeast, was always a terror around his food. If you went to pull something out of his mouth, you were going to lose a hand. That's why I've been thankful about the Aussies. It's never been an issue. They are resistant to the idea of me taking their food or bones, but they won't bite me in defense. Yes, the one caveat to that is Preston biting my foot and sending me to the hospital for a week. Other than that, angels. Fun Fact: The crutches I am using come from that incident.

[Drunk Monk]

With Yuki, it’s like flipping a switch and he goes into attack mode. He’s fast and vicious and I don’t think he knows it.

[Greg]

Well, shoot. It's only been fifteen days since a dog post. Way over due.

Dani has a lump on her back. She had it removed and it grew back even bigger. We are in wait and see mode about removing it again.

Dani has decided not to wait. She chewed it open this morning in The Queen's office, of course while The Queen was having a meeting. It's a pretty good bite. Lots of blood and puss. I would take her to the Vet, but they don't have any appointments until Tuesday. Or I could drive to Fresno and maybe be seen today a the cost of an emergency room visit.

I've opted to clean the area out and swathe the wound in neosporin and bandages. I've also attached the cone of shame. the only hiccup in next Tuesday's Vet visit (I did make that appointment as a standby) is that is the day both the Queen and I have jury duty.

[Drunk Monk]

Oh harsh. Sorry to hear. And I stress when Yuki starts barking during my telemeets. 

Wait, you both have jury duty on the same day? That's crazy!

As for dog first aid - calendula is always good to keep handy for sterilizing open wounds. Dogs don't like the taste wo they don't lick at it (usually). Also Yunnan Baiyao is a common clotting agent from Chinese medicine that works for dogs. I've used it on myself many times. It's a powder that's a common otc at stores that carry such stuff (many health food stores carry a small selection of Chinese remedies beyond just Tiger Balm now). 

Hope Dani gets better.

[Greg]

Good tips. Just back from the store with gauze and first aid tape.

The Queen fights the constant battle. If the door is closed to her office the dogs want in. If they are in, they bark or moan. I'm beginning to think Maeve is part Husky with all her vocalizations.