Intern Week and Snakes

Every year, the surgery interns get the week off while the new interns get their feet wet.  35 weeks pregnant doesn't lend itself to distance traveling, especially with 100 degree heat hanging around.  We decided to take a small baby moon and spend a few nights at a bed and breakfast in Estes Park.  It was a great time.  Awesome breakfasts, extraordinary views, up close wildlife, drive-in movies, and in-room jacuzzi tubs (which I had to force Matt out of every day!).  We had a lovely time.  Sadly, I forgot my camera and had to buy a disposable.  It did not take good pictures, so our photo memories are limited.

Matt started his second year on the 1st of July at one of the private hospitals in town.  This rotation is one of the resident's favorites.  It is the only one that includes home call and short days.  So it was a great way to get back into the swing of things. By the second of July, Matt didn't have to go in because there were no surgeries scheduled thanks to the holiday weekend. Instead of playing golf, Matt decided to take Bailey to the mountains to go hiking (typically one of their favorite past-times).  About 3.5 miles into a tough mountain hike outside of Red Rocks park, Matt saw a 5 foot rattlesnake lying across the trail.  Bailey hadn't seen it and ran right past its tail.  Matt threw the leash ahead and told the dog to sit, stay.  Sweet (stupid) Bailey was more concerned with why Matt had stopped in the middle of the trail, so he decided to return to Matt's side like a good boy. On his way back, he stepped square on the snake's head.... bad move.  Immediately, this massive snake reared up, struck Bailey in the nose and slowly slithered back into the brush. Not quite realizing what had happened, the dog kept running back in Matt's direction.  Within 30 seconds, he hit the ground and was unable to walk.   Despite encouragement and assistance from Matt, Bailey was becoming less responsive.  Matt scooped him up and started jogging back to the car, getting passed over and over again by runners and bikers who were unconcerned with the tears streaming down Matt's face... while Bailey is a very fit beagle, he is not easy to carry.  Impressively, Matt made it back to the car, tripping through shallow streams, up and down the rough terrain with this 29# dog curled up and unresponsive in his arms.  Someone finally noticed Matt's terrible situation, doggy blood dripping down his arms.  This wonderful lady ran back to her car, called the vet and told them that Bailey and Matt were on their way.

That mean rattlesnake bought our poor puppy dog two and a half days in intensive care, some very impressive swelling and 5 bottles of doggy prescriptions.

Bailey's chest and belly are usually white and his arms and face are about half that size.

I think that in hindsight, golf would have been a better decision that day.  Thankfully Bailey is home recovering, getting to eat gourmet food and being spoiled rotten. We are even more thankful that Matt wasn't bitten (however, we do have people insurance and his hospital stay would have been much cheaper!)