LOST ANOTHER YEAR, MAYBE FIVE, OFF MY LIFE

          When my children were growing up there were events that increased my heart rate, made me sweat; and, I was absolutely positive, took at least a year off my life. Children now grown, I thought those kinds of experiences were far behind. I was wrong.

          If you read my blog posts, you know I have a wonderful companion in Kuma, my Cutsey Putsey Puppy. I cannot begin to describe how his presence in my life has provided such positive benefits. As a result of this relationship, I believe I lost not one, but more like five years off whatever life time I have left. Allow me to explain.

          Since early last fall, I’ve had a heating pad plugged in so I can turn it on, lean against it and allow its heat to improve my back pain. The cord comes around the end of the couch and up to the pad itself on the couch. Kuma was laying on the floor chewing away on his boney-bone. I was reclining, watching television. Things were calm and peaceful with only the folks on TV talking over Kuma’s noisy bone crunching.

          Suddenly, Kuma began to yelp and cry and carry on. I sat up and looked down at him. The heating pad cord was in his mouth and he was being electrocuted. I pushed the coffee table away and grabbed the cord. I gave it a yank. It didn’t release. I gave it another HUGE yank and it came free.

          Kuma was trembling and looked shocked (pun intended). I gathered him up and held him close. His expression seemed to say, “What the fuck just happened?????” While he was recovering, I pried open his mouth to look for burns and didn’t find any…thank God. When he began licking his back leg, I thought perhaps there was a burn there, but nope, it was just wet from where he’d peed himself. Yes, Kuma had peed and defecated during his electrocution. I felt so bad and kept him close until he wanted to be free of me.

          It took about an hour before Kuma returned to his normal self, encouraging me to throw his bally-ball, play tug of war, and act pretty much as he always did. Still, I worried, so much so, that after we went to bed and Kuma was sound asleep, I woke him up just to be sure he was breathing okay.

          Once Kuma seemed okay, I went online and looked up electrocution of dogs. I learned I should not have grabbed the cord, but unplugged it…hey, I could reach the cord more quickly. I learned it was a good thing I didn’t touch Kuma because I could have been electrocuted as well. I also learned I should look for burns which I had already done. There was additional information about long-term effects. Lastly, I learned I should call Kuma’s vet.

          The following morning, I called the vet and explained what had happened. To the information Kuma had no burns, I added the fact Kuma was eating, drinking, playing and doing his business outside as he normally did. The receptionist told me they’d get back to me after she talked to the doctor.

          That phone call didn’t come until close to the end of the day. It was reassuring and told me the only thing I needed to be aware of was Kuma’s respirations. When an electrocution happens, some times within about forty-eight hours, the animal’s lungs will begin to fill with fluid. I had read that online as well.

          I’m happy to report Kuma is doing just fine. He acts as though absolutely nothing happened at all. As for me, well, last Sunday night I actually wondered if I should call 911 for myself. My heart rate was extremely high and I was sweating as if I’d run a marathon. While I didn’t resort to 911, I have come to the conclusion Kuma is responsible for my losing another year…or maybe five…off my life.

          The only really important fact, however, is that Kuma is just fine!!!