Fotografo de Bodas, Santiago

March 9, 2009

Sorry for the blogging absence. Last week you could say that I had a little bit of an emotional break down. However, this weekend, I was emotionally and spiritually revived by the two weddings we shot. They were both amazing. Both were SUCH cool couples and both were at completely gorgeous, outdoor, au naturel locations. One was at el Centro de Eventos Alto de Pirque and the other at a place called Casona Lonquen. Being around the most beautiful scenery that Chile has to offer, combined with hanging out with people in their happiest moment and then getting to release creatively by photographing it all was just what I needed.

However, if I was spiritually and emotionally revived, I was physically beaten down. I slept so very little because in during the chaos of the weekend weddings, my dog also got sick. Really sick. It was scary.

We ended up having to make a late night visit to the only veterinary clinic we could find that was still open — I believe it was called the Clinica Alemana Veterinaria (on Av. Larrain, right off of Tobalaba).

Papito had been throwing up orange chunks everywhere, and eating a ton of grass. That’s what dogs do when they have an upset stomach. But then all of a sudden she just got really still. She laid down on the couch and didn’t move at all. You could tell she was trying to wag her tail, but she couldn’t. Papi wasn’t even rolling over to let us scratch her belly like she normally does any time any one gets near her. Her eyes just glazed over and then she pooped herself without realizing it. Her breathing got extremely fast and her tongue was just hanging out. She looked so awful and pathetic.

I realize all that sounds incredibly gross and I apologize for the graphic details. Oddly enough though, I wasn’t grossed out at all. I think I now understand in a teeny tiny way, what mothers go through caring for their children. It doesn’t matter if you’ve gotten 3 hours of sleep and have been on your feet for the entire day. When something is wrong with your baby all you want is for her to be better, no matter what the cost to you is. It’s so sad to see an animal in pain. They can’t tell you what’s wrong and you can’t tell them that everything is going to be ok because they won’t understand.

Papi is fine now, she’s cuddled up next to me sleeping. When we got home from the vet the other night, after she was starting to look a little better I just broke down into tears. I love her so much and I would have been devestated if anything had happened. While she was laying there on the couch, the worst case scenarios kept running through my head. Was her dog food made out of lead in China? Did she somehow manage to eat rat poison when we were out on a jog and I didn’t notice? But, thank goodness it was nothing that serious. She’s on antibiotics now and will be back to normal completely in a day or two.

S. ended up not sleeping for over 24 hours because of shooting a wedding with me and then going to work. He would have had a few hours to nap, but instead we ended up at the vet. And I ended up not finishing some photos for a client that I should have been able to do that day. But when all is said and done, family comes first, even if that family is your dog.

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17 Comments

So glad to hear Papito is feeling better – I can totally relate but with my kitty, it was around midnight and we got home and she was really sick you could just tell and the same as you – where do I go at 12 AM in Santiago with a sick animal, luckily I found Hospital clinico Veterinario Pedro de Valdivia, on AE Castillo Velcasco 3061, super nice, open 24 hours and now they are my Vet for anything. If you ever need a 24 hour hospital its another great option to have in addition to the one you found. The tel is 343 3653, just to keep handy.
Hopfully you won’t need it!

RA

Comment by Anonymous — March 9, 2009 @ 12:04 pm

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I’m glad to hear your little Papito is feeling better. It is horrible feeling trying to figure out what is wrong with your pet when they can’t tell you. One of our cats is sick and will probably need surgery and we worry everyday that she might be getting worse and worse and we won’t know. But I’m glad that your story had a good outcome. Does the vet know what might of caused it? I’m also glad to hear you are feeling better as a whole. Those days when you’re not at your best really take a toll on you. So here’s wishing you a great whole you feeling better week and hopefully many more to come!

Comment by ShawnaHanna — March 9, 2009 @ 1:25 pm

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What is it with Pets lately? I too was at the Vet this weekend, but unfortunatly I wasn’t so lucky. My dog died this weekend of Bloat and Torsion. Its one of those things that Great Danes have to deal with sometime, but it doesn’t make it hurt less.

R.I.P Scooby

Comment by Vinko — March 9, 2009 @ 1:37 pm

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Oh goodness… I’m so glad she’s doing better!! I get panicked when I think something is wrong with one of our dogs too, so you’re not alone Kyle. And it sounds like you were an AWESOME mommy to her! Just think, you’re practicing for the day when your family isn’t just a dog but babies too!

Comment by Haley — March 9, 2009 @ 3:00 pm

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I’m glad the adorable Papito is better! Sounds like a scary night.

Comment by Leigh — March 9, 2009 @ 3:09 pm

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Oh my. I am so glad papito is okay and yes, I understand that fear, worry, motherness to dog.

Comment by Clare — March 9, 2009 @ 3:53 pm

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i’m so glad that Papito is OK! pet illnesses are so scary because you can only guess what’s wrong and go by their symptoms–much like babies (i hear). but what ended up being wrong with her?? those sounded like pretty severe symptoms.

i hope S. got some sleep finally! and congrats on the 2 weddings. are the pics up on your photography blog?

Comment by Isabel — March 9, 2009 @ 4:02 pm

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Poor Papito!! I’m glad she’s doing better. I pass another 24 hour Vet clinic when I go to the park to run. It’s at Antonio Varas 1715. I don’t have experience there, because I don’t have a pet here (sad!) but just so you have options.

Comment by Abby — March 9, 2009 @ 5:21 pm

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SO SAD!!! Poor papi!!!! Glad sheÂ´s better and that you enjoyed your shoots

Comment by nyGRINGAinCHILE — March 10, 2009 @ 4:27 am

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Hi..
Nice blog..
Congratulation..
â˜† Martinha â˜†
=)
http://travelandtrips.wordpress.com/

Comment by travelandtrips — March 10, 2009 @ 6:54 am

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When I read the title to your post my heart literally stopped.

I’m so glad Papi is doing better now and I hope S and you NEVER have to go through anything that scary again.

I have to disagree with you though on one thing: I think pets CAN understand us. I’m sure they can feel and understand our reassuring words and that somehow this makes them feel better. I’m convinced they can feel our worry and it makes them feel much better knowing we’re there for them. That’s why the love us so much… I’m sure Papi could feel how worried and sad you felt for her, just as much as she can feel how happy and relived you are now that she’s doing much better!

Fned.

Comment by Fned — March 10, 2009 @ 1:09 pm

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Thanks RA! I will keep the number handy just in case. But like you said, hopefully I’ll never need it

Shawna, nope they don’t know what caused it, just guessing that she ate something wrong. I’m so sorry to hear about your cat, that must be absolutely terrible to deal with

Vinko, I am SO sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you right now.

Thanks Haley, I tried, it is good practice, but I realized I might end up being a very panicky mom some day!

Thanks Leigh!

Clare, I think only pet owners really understand those feelings towards animals. I definitely didn’t get it until Papi came into my life.

Isabel, yep S. did finally get some sleep…and then the next day had to work 5 hours extra. No rest for the weary. And yes, one pic from each wedding is up on my blog so far, more coming soon!

Abby, that place is actually right by our house! They were the first people that we called, but they didn’t have a vet on duty for another hour and we wanted to take her in sooner so we ended up going elsewhere.

Katina, no worries, she’s all better now!

Thanks Martinha.

Fned, if you think YOUR heart stopped….hahahah! I hope you are right about pets understanding us. I know that when I cry Papi jumps on me and licks me until I start laughing and then she somehow seems to know I’m ok. Maybe they can just sort of read the mood…

Comment by Mamacita Chilena — March 10, 2009 @ 1:21 pm

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Eeek, Kyle. I’m glad she’s feeling better. It is very hard to know if you’re doing the right thing when a pet is sick, but it sounds like you did exactly the right thing.

Comment by Ordinary Girl — March 11, 2009 @ 9:35 am

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Oh dear so glad she is feeling better. I know that feeling all too well. Sucks to feel helpless and sucks that you can’t tell them you’re doing everything you can to make it better.

And I get ya on cleaning up after them, you don’t even think about it. You just do it because it needs to get done.

Hugs!

Comment by My Way — March 11, 2009 @ 2:03 pm

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Hi there, anonymous reader of your blog here. Have been enjoying your experiences and thoughts on Chile for some time now. Am so happy to hear that not only has your little one recovered, but that the vets there were able to help. We are moving to Chile later this year and will be bringing our two little mutts with us. Adopted in Chicago and lived there for a few years, although these days we’re in Canada. If, by chance, you have the time to give, I’d love the chance to pick your brains about living there as a pet owner and what amenities are available to pets. I grew up going to Chile yearly, and remember vividly not only how out of control the stray population was, but also the locals idea of how to care for a family pet. My dogs are family, so I have a somewhat different approach. Would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with someone who seems on the same level as I.

Comment by Lucky — March 11, 2009 @ 2:13 pm

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Lucky, email away, my email address is in the sidebar I don’t know how much I can help as I’ve only had a dog for the past 6 months or so, but I’m happy to point you in the right direction.

Comment by Mamacita Chilena — March 11, 2009 @ 2:33 pm

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Kyle! That is so scary! My childhood dog, who still lives with my parents, has a seizure disorder. We found this out when I was home for a visit. She crawled on top of me in the middle of the night, shaking and whimpering and began having a seizure. This is a big dog, about 65 pounds. I thought she was having a heart attack and dying in my lap. Luckily, she was fine after a few minutes but I spent the whole rest of the night starring at her and I refused to go back to sleep. She’s had a few seizures since but the vet claims that they are mild and that she is fine. I’m so sorry for what you went through! Send my love to your pup!! I hope that I can meet her someday. The street dogs in Valpo just make me sad. Someday I want to see a happy Chilean dog with her loving family.

Comment by Allie — March 11, 2009 @ 7:38 pm

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