Dear Maia, Isaac, and Virtual Wanderers,

Today started early, just before sunrise – if you want to know why, check out yesterday’s post from Goblin Valley State Park. It was a very restless night as I worried sick about my sick dog, Kachina. I bet I got 3 hours of sleep total, if that. Here we are out with the Goblins, 150 miles away from the closest vet ER and no cell service, but fortunately, my InReach. I thought about packing up last night, but Kachina seemed stable enough, and day driving seemed the safer option.

I quickly fed my other two dogs and took down camp. By quickly, I mean about 2 hours. I rolled up bags, tents, and loaded the car. The dogs waited under the shelter. The downside of this is that some nasty biting ants must have smelled the dog breakfast. By the time I went to load the dogs, Koko was holding up a paw and Cimarron was whining/screaming. Both obviously had been eaten by ants for breakfast.

I had been bitten several times by the ants the day prior, and they burned for about 30 minutes, then it got better. I knew they would survive, but it made me chuckle a little driving down the road. Sick, quiet Kachina in her seat dozing while Cimarron is screaming her head off in the back seat. Who knew Italian Greyhounds could be such drama queens?

Driving 150 miles backwards when I planned to drive 50 miles forward was weird. I had left home less than 48 hours ago. Should I try to drive back and beyond (to the next campsite at Capitol Reef) if Kachina is cleared? But by then, the monsoons will be peaking. I’m so tired. What if Kachina needs surgery that puts me in the hole several grand? What if she dies? God, driving backwards seems to take longer than driving forward. My self-talk won’t stop in my sea of fatigue and worry.

We have used Animal ER of the Western Slope one other time for Kokopelli’s foxtail removal. They are the place that our local vets use, even though it is a 60-mile drive from my house. We got there, and one of the vets from our regular vet clinic was actually staffing that day. Strange. We had just seen him for Cimarron’s anxiety at a clinic nearly 90 miles south.

I burst into tears in the parking lot, wondering if this would end in losing my best friend. I was nervous. My main priority was sweet Kachina; camping trips can be rebooked.

It was busy, but the tech quickly assessed Kachina to be sure she was stable. Actually, things moved fairly quickly despite several people being ahead of us. Kachina got an exam, x-rays, and labs. She was diagnosed with mild pancreatitis. She had it once before, 6 years ago. She is half Yorkie/Poodle, so is at risk. I know the cause can be high-fat food. The last weeks have been busy, and she has gotten a taste or two of my fast food. With the busy schedule, we have missed walks and she has gained weight (another risk). My volunteer work in the past month has taken me away from the house more than usual and could trigger a stress reaction. Lastly, it has been hot, and that can lead to dehydration, which can trigger pancreatitis.

Anyway, she got fluids and anti-nausea meds. By then, I was so tired I was crashing. I just decided to forfeit my camping trip and take Kachina another 60 miles home to heal. Would I reschedule the trip? I didn’t know then. I was too tired to think about it.

Today is also my mom’s 108th birthday. I take the trip to honor her birthday, as well as my granddaughter Maia’s (on the 22nd). I wondered how Mom fit into the picture of a trip discarded? I decided I was mothering Kachina as she had mothered me through my many childhood illnesses.

Addendum added 8.26: I decided to rebook the trip yesterday. We leave in 2-3 weeks. We went frisson and didn’t catch any friss. Gotta try again, right? Anyway, the trip is backwards and less time in the Grand Staircase area because of campsite availability. More time in the Four-Corners because we do an annual trip to Hovenweep in September. It’s gonna be fun!

The monsoons have been pretty extreme this week after a very dry summer. I’m actually glad we aren’t in a sopping tent somewhere with Kachina recovering. Maybe mom was looking after me through Kachina, too?

PS – Kachina is eating again (although less) and seems to be getting back to her normal, perky self. I am excited to try frisson again very soon. Hopefully, we make it more than 48 hours! Look out, Goblins, we are coming back to haunt you!

Join Our September Utah Frisson II/Utah Mini 5 Camping Road Trip Here!!! WE DID IT! We caught a lot of friss on our second try!

TTFN, Grandma Cathy