RIP Kolchak XV

November 2, 2009 -- October 11, 2011

There aren't enough words, but I can always try. I never imagined our time with him would be so short.

Kolchak had torsion and bloat on Sunday afternoon that was operated on from 4pm to 9pm that night, but ultimately he died of a pulmonary blood clot this morning around 11am.

Kolchak XV was first a blessing to our family. He came to us from a wonderful mom and he reflected his upbringing. Many said he was the best behaved Kolchak. We agree. To us, he was a goofy teenager growing into his body while embedding himself in our hearts. Of course, he was our "very, very bad dog" when he chewed things he shouldn't or stole food off a plate or counter, but he was just being the teenage borzoi he was meant to be.

Kolchak XV only came to us through his job and he did it well. He blessed our current Wolhounds, wolfpups (the kids), Gold Star families (KIA’s - Killed in Action’s family members), and Wolfhound Veterans of various wars by being gentle, non-judgmental, fuzzy, funny, and regal (if only you could see him in his dirt pile!). He was the physical representation of Wolfhound compassion. He only lived long enough to become a Corporal in the army, but he will always be one of a line of King of the Wolfhounds.

Finally, know that due to his Military Working Dog status, he was provided unlimited around-the-clock care that most owners/handlers/families dream of. This resource was exceptional in the heart of the vets and techs on their holiday weekend to come in quickly and frequently, some volunteering to pull a watch or overnight shift. They pulled for him with everything they had, knowledge, experience, resources, and desire. One tech said, "This is why I do this job. I take care of animals that serve." There was always at least one vet, often two, and a tech or two with Kolchak. He was the only animal in the emergency area so it was all about him. I do not doubt his care and only dream of that level in a civilian environment. 

We thought he was doing better so the kids and I got to pet and hug him for a half-hour. He was alert and responsive, lifting his head when he heard and saw us and even trying to move toward us. When he started to crash, we had to go to another room. We know he knew we were there and that we loved him dearly. This is our only comfort. Our house is filled with his things, specific to borzoi and/or him. Now our palm trees will grow with the scars of his teeth, our China cabinet and house trim will bear his mark, and the hole in our heart the size of his schnoz will remain.

Godspeed, Corporal Kolchak XV Hoakoa Korsakov's Travelin' Man, to travel over the rainbow bridge, much too early for us, to rest at the feet of the Lord with a squeaky stuffy in your grip. Someday, we will meet you there.

Please pray for me

This is Kolchak's mom here. I've been accused of writing his blog, but those are just nasty rumors. 

I'm blogging tonight FOR Kolchak. He has just come out of surgery. He stomach flipped (torsion I think it's called) sometime between 9am and 1:30pm when we were gone to Sunday school, church, and Target. When we came home, he was just not the same. So, long story short, his surgery started at 4pm and ended just before 9pm. I met with the vet to discuss the "findings" which, I have deduced, mean crummy things. SGT Bates (nee SPC Hayden - see blog entry on 1st trip to the vet) saved him initially by simply inserting a needle into the swollen area of his abdomen. The sound was like pushing the release on a basketball. sssshhhhh This was to prevent more damage and his stomach actually corrected itself at this point. He did vomit during the initial anesthesia and they tipped the table, cleared what they could, and continued on. There is some fluid in his lungs for which they have put him on antibiotics. His spleen survived and not all spleens do so that was good news. However, he has a 2" x 2" patch of necrotic (dead) tissue on his stomach confirming that his stomach did twist. The vet did a double stitch job to isolate the dead tissue. She then told me that there is a 40% survival rate when this damage has been done. Something to do with platelets clotting in the stomach once the stomach corrects and the blood flow is restored. I think the platelets stops blood flow to the stomach again. He is on blood thinners now. 

When I left the Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF), he was still intubated and on the OR table. She said it would be 1 1/2 hours until I could see him so I reluctantly decided to come home. He will have his vitals checked every 5 minutes for the next 24 hours. Fortunately, he is at a military facility so he has vets and vet techs on “watch” for him in three hour shifts. He won’t be alone. The vet will let me know if there is any indication of a slowing of his pulse. I came home to rest in case I am not able to on Monday and so I can bring the children and Isabella to post if Kolchak isn’t going to make it. No matter what, we’ll be up there tomorrow morning. 

I’m feeling rather helpless now. There is nothing I can do, but I know God knows he is at the VTF and we love him. His earthly dad knows what is going on so soon the deployed Wolfhounds will know. Kolchak is loved by many. Please, please pray for his healing. Only God can help him now. We need him to be OK. He’s only been with us for just under a year, but he is an integral part of our family. The house is empty tonight. My heart, our hearts, will have an empty space if he crosses the rainbow bridge. Please pray he doesn’t do that now and we can have many more goofy years with him. 

I don’t know what else to say as I have so many concerns, what-ifs, questions, and such as you do. 

Mahalo nui loa for your prayers for our boy.