A nightmare day

A lot of things happened today.

We got up at 6 am, left the apartment at 7 and went hiking to Dragon's Back.  After two-hour hiking, we were on the way home, but a police motorcycle followed our car with the blue and red lights flashing.  
'We didn't do anything illegal, did we?'

Having no idea why, we kept driving and found another police officer was standing on the road, which was a couple of kilometers away from our apartment.


The police officer waved us to stop.  Then, the motorcycle behind us passed our car and went on in a hurry.  That's when we finally realized.

It's an accident!  Surely, the police officer approached our car and explained that there was a fatal accident around 8 am this morning.  (see Map 1)  The road ahead was closed so we have to U turn.  That means we swing around half the Hong Kong island.  (see Map 2)  Even so, we would stuck in a jam that goes the opposite way.

Map 2 

     Map 1


'well, what shall we do?!'

According to the police officer, the road will not open for another couple of hours.

So we decided to kill some time in Stanley.  We had a breakfast, but the time was still before 10 am.

Usual Stanley would be full of tourists and visitors but it was sparse.  Many stores were also closed, because they could not get the supplies or their staff were stuck in the jam.

While walking on the street, we found our neighbor with her dogs.  She was taking her dogs to a vet in Stanley this morning but was stuck here after the visit.  She explained that the accident was a head-on collision with a taxi and a minibus and the cab driver was killed.  

Well, we couldn't hung around standing and talking in a summer heat, so decided to pass time at a coffee shop.

'So the vet is near here?'

'Well, my dogs are not well these days.'

'Are they eating?'

'Yeah, but they sleep a lot and don't play much anymore.  Looks like Margaux got a fever, too.'

'Well, we can't go home any time soon so why don't we check them at the vet?'

'That's a good idea, let's go.'

So we took the dogs to the vet in Stanley.

Luckily, the doctor was available and both Margaux and Tora were checked right away.  The doctor says:

'Both have verrry pale gams.  Looks like Margaux has a high fever, too.  Have they gotten any tick bite recently?'

'I saw one on Margaux's ear about two weeks ago, but I removed it right away..'

'Wha's their urine color like?'

'Margaux looks normal but Tora's dark yellow..'

'They may have tick fever, let's run blood test.'

Wait a minute.. TICK FEVER?!  What the hell is that?!

The doctor explained that it could be a disease, called Babesia Infection, which is transmitted through tick bites.  When a babesia infected tick bites a dog, it releases virus in the dog's bloodstream, causing red blood cell destruction, which makes it difficult for the dog to intake the oxygen supply, and in sever case, the dog can die from the shock.

All of sudden, I was mortified and felt so sorry to drag the dogs to a long hike this morning.

15 minutes later, the test result came up.

'Tora is worse than Margaux.  A normal red blood cell count is over 30% but hers is only 13%.  I can't believe she did the hiking today!!  Margaux's 26% but her body is fighting, and that's why she has a fever.  Tora's peak is past and she has a lots of baby blood cells, so she should be stable sooner than Margaux.  We'll give an antibiotic shot and check the reaction for a couple of hours so can you come back here around 3?'

I was completely shocked,  so shocked that I started to feel sick.  Come to think of it, Tora was down since while ago.  I couldn't spot it at all.  I was so sorry for her.

We went outside the hospital and the time was half 12.  We stopped by a grocery store and finally got home at half 1.  

Soon after we got home, hungry Tony fixed us a penne arrabiata but I had a lump in my throat. 

On top of the fatal accident near our apartment, I was feeling awful neglecting dog's health.  And there was one other thing.  A big typhoon is landing this afternoon.

What a nightmare day.

At three o'clock, we were back at the vet.  The dogs were so happy to see us. I was so happy to see them ok.

Doctor said, 'For now, we'll give you one-month antibiotic tablets and a medicine to increase their blood cells.  Please watch Margaux and if she vomited or gets high fever, please bring her to the hospital.  If no problem, we'll do blood test again on Monday.'

On the way home, the sky is turning into dark gray and the wind is getting stronger.  

'Phew, what a day!'

Well, the rain will starts tonight so let's relaxed at home the rest of weekend..

(to be continued...)