Heatwave

I bet you have been waiting the news about Pii. The 1st suggestive diagnose was "blood cancer or something else" by the MidSummer. We have now received the final diagnose after the surgery and CT-scan. Her right side salivary gland has been damaged and can't work. That's why it creates the lump under her chin on her throat. There is no disease or reason. Obviously it has been caused by a trauma she has faced when speeding around in the garden full of joy and chasing the birds through the berry shrubs. Perhaps some branch has sting her throat area without making a wound to her skin but caused inner damages to salivary gland and bruise like bleeding. Her open wound finally closed 1½ weeks ago. Since that we have been waiting what happens next. The options are

            1. she needs another surgery to remove the damaged salivary gland

            2. during the time it heals up and doesn't need to be removed

            3. during the time the damaged gland fades away and other glands begins to do its job

So far it doesn't create new big lump. It is rather like a chicken wattle. It doesn't bother her in any way at this point. She is just a happy dog now when she has got rid of the post surgery plastic collar and is able to go in to her very own and precious nest behind/under my loon (sorry, her loom which I am allowed to borrow every now and then).

 

Three weeks ago started our heat weave. I was a bit worried because of Pii and her life in the bucket (post surgery plastic collar) and the open wound. I consulted the vet for the wound care because of the heat to prevent it to get inflammation. We rinsed the wound at least twice in a day with saltwater solution (home made according to the instructions). When the heat weave had started we changed it to wound irrigated solution (Prontosan) and continued the routine of cleaning the wound. We also cleaned the plastic post surgery collar at least 3 times in a day (once-twice before). And changed at least 3 times in a day the menstrual pads (twice in a day before). The wound was not infected and slowly started to close when the wound drainage kept on reducing.

So far the heat weave has stayed 3 weeks every day (no break). That's the record since they started to measure these things at early 60's. On the 1st week I felt "wow, I am on a free holiday in Greece", on the 2nd week "I want to order my flight back home", the 3rd week I have been feeling like a little fat pig in a rotisserie. I don't know yet how I will feel on this 4th week. I have never been in this kind of heat for this long. I did spend for about a month on Crete island but it was not the same. On Crete the sun goes up and down. The nights are dark and you can see the moon and the stars. That doesn't happen here. We have the Midnight Sun so the nights don't bring any relief for the shine and heat. For example today our sun rise at 4.09 am and will set at 10.44 pm only to rise up again at after 4 am. In theory there's a bit more than 5 hours between the sunset and sunrise but it is not enough to bring the darkness nor to fade away the heat.

The climate has changed always but for the first time ever in the Earth's history it is changing because of humans' actions and that's why it is unpredictable, fast and dangerous to all of us. On Polar Areas the climate is changing faster than anywhere else and humans and the nature has difficulties to adapt on it. We need to make radical changes in our lifestyles if we want to make the climate change slower and easier. We can't stop anymore what we have caused in the past 100 years, but we can ease the upcoming disaster if we all want.

Finally last week we dared to take Nuka and Pii to swim because Pii's wound had healed and closed up. Swimming is a good way ti cool the dogs down (and myself, I love open water swimming in the sea). We usually take the dogs to the seashore very close to our home where I spotted grey seals this spring. Or we take them to Ajos. None of these are public beach. You are not allowed to take the dogs on public beaches but Ajos is a great beach also for travelers to take their dogs to swim. Remember to put your dog on leash and never set it free. The dog can harm the nature & animals or get run over by a truck or train that are very close because of the cargo marina traffic. If you google "Ajoksen uimaranta" or "Ajos uimaranta" you should find your way there if on a road trip through the north. It is a great place but remember to be respectful and tidy because there's vulnerable and very special nature around!!! Even you would not have a dog but being on a road trip it is worth of vising no matter the season. It is a gem that locals love. (And no, no public transport there. It is accessible by car, bike or on foot, not by a walking aids or wheelchairs.)