LOOK MA, NO,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,!!!!!

For those who have a weak stomach, you may not want to read this entry.

As many of you know, we got a dog last August. This was to be temporary adoption, with the possibilityof a perminent adoption. As of Jan 2010, Uzzi became officially ours! The first order of business was to neuter him.

Here in Boquete, they run clinics every few months and neuter dogs and cats for a very small fee. It is a really great program.

Jan 31 2010, Uzzi went to have his surgery. Living in Panama I understand that sometimes the way things are run are not quite the way I would want them run. I was pleasantly surprised by the set up in the local gym. It was very organized and all the volunteers were so helpful.

11 o'clock was his check in. Now our dog is quite a lovely dog, very friendly and oh so sweet, but he is huge,(88 lbs) and he is a Rottweiler. Many people here in Boquete who have Rotties train them to be fighters. Not our puppy, he is a lover. I walked in right at 11, like every good Canadian, I am always on time, sometimes even a little eariler. It was pretty crowded, but when I walked in with Uzzi, everyone did a double take and took a few steps back. Uzzi was quite stressed, smelled fear and death and was tugging quite aggressively at his lease. We were lead to the other side of the gym where I hooked his lease onto the beachers as I checked him in, labeled him and paid my 10 dollars. (A great deal!)

Uzzi pre-op in his time out corner, all alone!

I had to wait around an hour and figured this would happen so I had my book. I honestly thought I would not have a chance to read. Typically people are so friendly, many want to practice their English with me. One person approached me during that entire hour. I didn't take it personally! I got lots of reading done!

By 12 they called my name and off we went to get weighted and given an anesthetic. As I walked over with Uzzi, I saw 3 men in my periphery walking beside me. One asked if my dog bites. I assured him he was not a bitter. They drew up the appropriate dose, and injected him with his "sleeping" shot while being held down by 4 large men. The needle actually got disconnected from the syringe, so he had this 18 gauge hanging from his hind quaters. That got pulled out pretty quickly once I pointed it out.

I asked how long until the shotworks, and within 2 minutes, Uzzi was out cold!Uzzi out cold.Check out his tongue!

He got shaved, brought to the operating table and was fixed within 10 minutes. He is so big his front and hind legs were hanging over the edges of the OR table. I was nearby and heard "Look at these!". The assistant was holding one of his bells laughing as many people came to see the "biggest ones today!" Good thing I have a sick sense of humor and laughed along.Here are the 6 OR tables, Uzzi is the one on the second from the left with his legs hanging over the edge.

He was then brought to the "recovery room" where he had all his shots, nails cut and teeth brushed. It was then many people came by and asked if they could pet him. They were too afraid before. I guess that is a good thing, he is a guard dog after all!

Uzzi in recovery room with Syd,Josh and Paul

By 1:30 he was partially awake so 4 men loaded him up into our car.

3 weeks later, and I am pleased to say Uzzi is all healed and back to his usual energetic and playful self. I did get a little worried a week ago when I noticed he was spending a lot of time in the corner of our car port with his nose to the wall. He would look over his shoulder at me every morning with a very sad look. I think he realized they are gone, for good.

Until I blog again.

Linda