It's a Bloody Miracle

The dogs have returned. On Saturday morning Rick was driving down DGR near David's and saw what he thought was a rumpled cardigan on the side of the road. That cardigan was Radar. Jamaica was hiding in the bushes nearby. Rick loaded them into the passenger seat of his truck and drove straight here. Not only did he want to reunite us but I suspect he wanted to get them out of his airspace as they both had been into carrion and stunk. When I opened the door Radar wagged his tail just once. I kissed his head finding too late that he had a putrid reek. Had to help them both to the ground. Once I saw them outside I realised why. They were walking skeletons. Very emaciated, tucked up, every rib and bone protruding. I don't think they'd eaten for ten days. Perhaps gnawed on dead things but that's not a meal.

Both of them are very footsore, especially Radar who has meat instead of paw pads in some places. He was still bleeding from one foot when he arrived. Now they just seep. At least they aren't infected. I put their coats on and gave them dry food, was wary of giving them anything rich as I didn't want to upset their stomachs. They ate and crashed. Slept solidly all afternoon. They'd get up and eat a little and then sleep some more which has been the pattern even to today, two days after they returned. The first night I didn't even disturb them for potty walks before we went to bed. They were too exhausted. Figured when they had to go they'd get up and do so which they did. Pooping has been a signficant part of their recovery. Because food is on offer ad lib they've been dumping four and five big loads daily. At least we know everything works.

Was worried about both of them but especially Radar. Thought Jamaica would be most at risk as he's the more sensitive and weaker of the two and although I think he was thinner, Radar looked the worse. He had pus in his eyes, especially the right one. But there was something else about his eyes, the light had gone out. David said it reminded him of a cow that was going to die, even after being successfully pulled from a bog. I don't think they would've lasted much longer in the wild.

We will never know where they went and what happened to them. We suspect that they did leave the valley, judging by the state of their paw pads, and that they realised they had to get home if they were going to live. Have pulled a few small grass ticks from Radar plus found a few fleas. Gave them each a Capstar tablet yesterday which should do the trick. The only thing we can do now is feed them, keep them warm and wait for them to recover their strength. It's a bloody miracle.