Wednesday, May 26, 2021

COVID AND THE K9 CHRONICLES

 



Recently, a friend forwarded a video of two dogs at Helsinki Airport who were able to detect people who were positive for the Corona virus. All they needed was a swab of their neck and wrists. I responded saying that Zooey, my Dalmatian possessed this superpower without the swabs.

I have experienced TLC (tender-loving-care) quite a few times with my dogs - a head on my tummy/lap when I am in pain, staying close, a cuddle away and constantly on guard. It always felt like they were ever ready to return the pats, behind the ear scratching and the belly rub favours; I just had to ask.

With my Mom nearing eighty and my immunosuppressed state following my renal transplant, topped off with comorbidities, we as a family were extremely careful, ever since the pandemic hit. The year 2020 had gone past without a hitch. But we were not out of the woods and continued to follow measures for hygiene and safety. 

It was the early days of the second wave, I noticed that all three of them - Zooey (the Dalmatian), Tanny (the Dalmatian-Indie mix) and Lincoln (the Rottweiler) - were being very clingy. They usually “look me up”, when I am not feeling too well but this was different. Sure enough, I soon began showing symptoms and the RT-PCR test came positive. My husband and younger daughter tested positive as well. Covid had found its way into our home. We informed our neighbours and the Covid Response Team of our apartment complex about the test results. Our home was promptly sealed in accordance with the protocols in place and we home quarantined ourselves. 

I was quite surprised to receive a call from  our our dog walker, within minutes of our sharing the news with our apartment complex. He told me that the news had reached the complex nearby and the dog owners there forbade him from coming to our home. We had not even entertained the thought and told him that our flat was under quarantine. He was not to come until the BBMP sticker on our front door, had been removed. News sure travels fastest in the concrete jungles.

Though it would have been the ideal course of action to be taken, we were clear from the outset that we would not send the dogs away to a boarding, for two reasons:

1.       Lincoln, would not take to anyone unless he was introduced to them, by the leader of his pack - my husband

2.       All three were aware that something was clearly not quite right at home and they would not be comfortable, to say the least.

The decision to keep them home was not easy, but they stepped up to the plate. 14 days without walks or going out! Think about it - no sniffing, no marking territory, no catching up and barking hello/expletives to other dogs and unlike their "hoomans", no online classes to make up for it either. No Siree, not a whine or a yelp, from the three of them. Flowerpots without plants but with mud in them were emptied and mounds set up in two balconies. All three of them got the drift from the word, go. Sniff the mound and mark territory. Do a neat job of poopoo by the side, to be cleaned up, nice and easy.

I have been told that our pets take on any health issues that we face and ease the pain. 

Circa late 2012, Zooey kept throwing up everytime she had her meal. Would eat grass during her walks but it did not help. Vet visits, X-rays, Surgeries...nothing worked. Finally figured that she had an intestinal block and was unable to digest her food. No amount of medical intervention would help and the vet advised that we put her down. Thanks to the second of my brood (Sarah), we decided against it. In October 2013, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Renal Failure - IgA Nephropathy, a silent killer. The ancient wisdom of my tribe declared that Zooey had sensed my condition much earlier and taken on the negative energies! Mumbo-jumbo? Ah well...I am torn between my tribal roots and my scientific temperament. Cut to the present, I live with a transplanted kidney and Zooey is on a gastro-intestinal diet. She turned 11, this year and is fiesty as ever.

And yes, 4-5 days after being tested positive for COVID, my saturation levels plummeted and given that we were in quarantine, I had rush myself  to hospital. Docs warned about the ‘cytokine storm’ that would hit my system and I waited for it like a meteorologist waiting for the Level-4 typhoon. Back home Lincoln was having blood stools, Zooey was throwing up all over the place and Tanny was being unnaturally aggressive - scratching herself and destroying the mound! This stopped when the danger passed for me. One could dismiss this as sheer coincidence…

These three are my power-pack, a constant source of strength and support. When the going goes tough, they are my toughies that, “get on with it”.

Notes: 

1. An abridged version of this piece was first published in the May 2021 edition of  Pawprints, a quarterly newsletter, published online by Pugmarks, the community of pet families in an apartment complex in Bangalore. Pawprints is a tapestry of love, laughter, grief, wonder and appreciation that features heartwarming stories about pets, neighbourhood rescues and lots more.

2. BBMP is the Bangalore Municipal Corporation (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike)

3. "get on with it" - reference, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

27 comments:

Plavani said...

These are the kinda stories, I look forward to peruse through and look up at the starry sky in awe and admiration for mankind can only think to a certain extent and then there are these miracles and beautiful connections between mankind and the animal kingdom in all glory!!

Kavitha Mandana said...

God bless your three guardian angels❤️ Beautifully written, Muthamma. Really tugs at the heart strings...but what a scary few weeks it must have been.

George Jacob said...

Though not a dog-lover myself, can't but help appreciate the way these canines smell out not only the virus, but infection of their care-takers too.

Rasna said...

Having already read the abridged version, I was looking forward to this version. Such a wonderful story. And the way Zooey and your health have been interwined from so many years ago can't be a coincidence. And now the other two as well. Waiting for more Muthu!

Jane said...

Intuitive of you to catch this. And so well written. I stand testimony to my Marco Polo picking up on my migraines. He was the only one allowed into the room when I had one. So grateful you wrote this piece.

Anita said...

Just struck speechless dear Muthu...dogs are the best..stay safe and well now as also your guardian angels!

Paul Mathew said...

This is one of the most significant and sincere pieces of writing I have come across. This is soul talk, pure and simple. Powerful and deeply moving. Love you, Muthu.

Monisha said...


How grateful I am that you are ok!

These magnificent dogs are your guardians, your protectors, and you are theirs. We don't know if they are using their phenomenal sense of smell, their incredibly acute hearing, or they have superpowers that we humans are too dense to realize.
At the end of the day, a wrenching and heartwarming and uplifting story about love at its most pure and beautiful.

Ritika Singh said...

So so sweet... what a lovely read... and so true ... thanks for sharing this dear Muths <3 ...

Ritika Singh said...

How lovely and how true !!! A pure soul like you would know and appreciate this ... keep writing dear Muths <3

chatty said...

Awesome read. DOgs are our best friends and they sense trouble much better than us.There is no gray for them only Black and white and if they adopt you its for life. A story I saw in my home when my wife got back from major surgery. My 8 year old indie who would earlier never leave me did not move from near my wife as if saying dont worry girl I am here no one will trouble u .. keep writing such positive stories ..helps us all.. stay safe

Rupan Bedi said...

Beautifully written Muths. I have heard this from many that dogs sense the danger that may fall on their masters and even take it upon themselves. Having grown up in a household where anything less than having 4 dogs was unacceptable, I have seen it first hand. God bless this four legged creation... Our world will not be complete without their unconditional 💕

Unknown said...

amazing... that these mutts are so intuitive..

Indira Balaji said...

That was an awesome read, Muths! It’s honest and straight from the heart. And it’s lovely to see the obvious love you and the doggos share :)

Muthu said...

I am so glad you enjoyed the read and see the beauty in the connections. I am ever grateful for them

Muthu said...

Thank you for taking the time to read this post, Kavitha. These three are truly my guardian angels. And yes, it was quite the experience

Muthu said...

They are truly gifted. And I am blessed

Muthu said...

I cannot agree more

Muthu said...

Rasna! You are the reason I wrote this. You also got me to be disciplined about deadlines and number of words. Thank you for getting me to find my groove. Hope I can write more, for you. Hugs and gratitude for ever

Muthu said...

Whoa Janey! Thanks much darling. Coming from you, I am over the moon. Truly overwhelmed. Marco Polo will always be your guardian angel.

Unknown said...

Must have been such an ordeal, so glad you are well now. Thanks for sharing, beautifully written -such stories reaffirm our faith in all that is good in this world. How lucky you are to have these guardian angels in your life!

Anonymous said...

Wonderfully written Muthu! Pls give hugs to those furry friends of yours from my side. Aww, your article made my day

Anita said...

Muths, this is a beautifully evocative piece. In the details of the piece we feel the anxiety, confusion and pain. But through it all our four-legged friends are our staunchest allies. The fact that your dogs, behaved the way they did even before all was apparent is truly remarkable. They are far more sentient than we give them credit for. This quote has always stayed with me,” dogs are only part of our lives but we are their whole lives.”

Nina Satheesh said...

A really heart warming piece indeed Muthamma....I am lucky to have had the good fortune of meeting your pack including the alpha😉. Zooey, Tanny and Lincoln are absolute goofballs! Much love to all of you. Stay safe!

Anonymous said...

Lovely one. Enjoyed reading it.

Anita said...

Heyee dearest Muthu what a mind blowing write up yes pets are our animal spirits who know.. Bozo Ashwin’s doggy senses every bit of his mood and we know how he is doing by just watching Bozo
They take on our energy for sure! Hope u and they doing well in these uncertain times...

Anita Pandey said...

बहुत मार्मिक अनुभव को शब्दों में पिरोया है। 👏👏