the drama continues
So I parked the camper at the rear of the gas station so it was mostly in the shade, got a bag of ice and poured it into our cooler, leaving the lid open to provide a sort of cool air conditioning for us in the camper and we proceeded to take a nap.
About a half an hour later, I'm awakened by a female voice with a southern drawl talking on the phone, but I can't make out what she's saying, but she sounded much like Robin, who actually is a local Spyder Ryder, one of which I recently posted about being snubbed by a local Spyder Ryder on a yellow RS, but I came to find out, there are 2 yellow RS ryders in our country area that we hadn't met, and Robin is the one that waved back to us. We got to meet Robin & her husband at Maggie Valley for the first time, go figure
Anyways, when I took ill, the mom came out in Robin & she quickly jumped into action, getting us some Gatoraide to replace our electrolites that we'd been losing in the heat of the day. Not being totally cohearant, I was worried that she may had turned around and came back, but that was needless, as there was nothing she could do for us, so we got up to check, but the lady was gone. I figured it must have been an employee of the gas station on a break and took it out back talking on the phone.
But since we were up, and I was feeling a little better, I changed into cooler clothes and decided to continue on, wanting to get Teddy to proper medical care as soon as possible. We made it about another hour, I think right before the KY border and I started to feel nauseous and knew I needed to once again stop. I pulled over & programmed the gps to find the closest hotel and it was just about 3 miles ahead, so on we trudged and made it to a hotel. I knew from the way I felt that I was stressed and also heat exhausted so that's why I figured to give in and just get a room for the night, so Teddy and I could both get some much needed rest in cool air conditioning, which was much needed.
Needless to say, this was the ultimate road side dive hotel, complete with a 40 year old pool that hadn't seen water in many years & even tho there was another car in the lot, I think it belonged to the owner who lived there and that Teddy & I were actually the only ones staying there last night. Hey, it was a bed and air conditioning, and even tho I couldn't afford, that's why we always take an emergency credit card with us & this was an emergency. After checking in, we ran down the street and got some food to take back to the room. I was a little concerned about security, but couldn't bring myself to get the cover out & put it over the sled like we would normally do, so I just made sure to park right outside our window, like that really does any good.
I had to take Teddy out to potty about every 45 minutes & it broke my heart, cause I'd have to carry him out, set him down, and watch as he'd hobble on 3 legs & struggle to make his way around. I felt so sorry, when he made his usual 'potty stance' and he then promptly fell right over on his side. He readily got back up and figured out how to 'do it' with a different stance.
When we woke up around 9am, I was feeling much better and my head was clear, but I was still stressed knowing Teddy was in pain and he was suffering, so I quickly showered and gathered our things and headed out to the sled. Immediately, i noticed something was different and panic quickly over took me, thinking the worse at first. There was a folded piece of paper in my empty cup holder and at first thought it had to be a note from the hotel owner or something, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it was a note from Dax (KingGeek) & his family. I had shut my phone off, so I hadn't seen his text msg to us saying that they were driving by on their way home from missing us at the Bar-B-Q & they say Teds Red Sled & Camper in the empty lot and stopped to say hey, but we were still sleeping.
Everything else was the same, so we packed up, checked out, and headed north once again. Thankfully, most the rest of the trip it was overcast & cooler but we still got lucky and didn't run into any rain. We made it to Florence KY and Teddy's Vet right around 2pm today, and I was so ThankFul that Teddy's personal Vet (Dr. Neiman) was on duty and as soon as I explained what had happened, they quickly rushed his back and she personally did a full assesment on the lil guy. After about 15 minutes, she came out to talk with me, find out what had happened and to explain her findings. I felt so guilty I busted out in tears right there in the waiting area as I explained what I had done to the poor lil guy and she herself was almost in tears as I explained it all, and she reaffirmed that Teddy was going to be ok, and that we all know the risks that we take, but that she knows hos much Teddy enjoys ryding, and how much joy that he brings to so many, and that accidents do happen, but we need to keep being vigilant and not let this stop us. I swear, I love his Vet, she's worked with us since day 1 with Teddy being a Spyder Ryder and even tho we've had some bumps and bruises along the way, she knows how much we both enjoy it and that the risks are totally worth it. She knows how much I love the lil guy, and that I wouldn't do anything if we honestly thought it was going to hurt him. Having her to reassure me was much needed.
She then proceeded to explain that he has road-rash and slight burns on his left rear paw, but worse, was that now his right kneecap was luxating like his left one did last year and ultimately had to have surgery on. She doesn't think its to that point, but may progressively get worse with time just like his left one did when it ultimately popped for good at the 2011 SpyderFest. She gave us more pain meds and also an antibiotic creme to put on his paws and to try to keep him drugged up and out of pain for the next 7days and then we'll reassess his progress and go from there, but she was positive for the outcome.
Even after getting home and taking a nap, Teddy still wanted to go for a ryde when I went to get dinner. I thought he might be scared, but when I asked him, he still wanted to go, excited when I asked. He couldn't jump up like usual and I had to pick him up and set him in his carrier, but he still seemed happy to ryde. He's sleeping next to my legs right now, drugged up and resting comfortably.
And ppl don't understand why I shy away from drama.............................
robably saving Teddy's life :bowdown: Not knowing why he was honking, I let off the throttle and quickly checked my mirrors & saw Teddy hanging over the side of the right saddle-bag :shocked: the frantic look in his little eyes will likely haunt me forever. Sheer Panic, struggling to do what he could to stay away from the intense heat of the exhaust & keep his paws off the asphalt. 
hyea: and its his choice, not mine:clap:as I'd NEVER force him to do it if he didn't want to do it :lecturef_smilie: 
