Answers

Last week I talked to the vet, and she had some answers about what happened to Rolo.

The preliminary investigation didn't indicate any obvious signs of death.  There was nothing wrong with his internal organs or any signs of trauma, so they had to dig deeper and do a toxicology report and bacteria cultures.

The bacteria cultures were incredibly revealing.  Apparently, Rolo had a strep infection, and that led to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).  (This is a good article that explains the disease if you're interested.)  They have no idea where he got the strep infection or why his body reacted the way it did, but that's what led to his death.

This type of reaction is extremely rare.  It had nothing to do with his breeding, and it can't be transferred to my boys or the other pets.  It was a freak occurrence.  There was no way it could have been prevented, and no way to treat it.  Even if they had known it was TSS when I brought him to the vet, they couldn't have saved him.  Antibiotics wouldn't have helped.  All they could have done was make him comfortable, and that's exactly what they did.

Even though this information won't bring him back or unbreak my heart, I'm glad to have it.  I don't have to worry and wonder anymore.  One of my biggest fears was that someone had poisoned Rolo and that substance was still in my yard, accessible to my kids and anyone else who visited.  Thankfully, that wasn't the case.

I still miss him every day, but at least my questions have been answered.

I'm thankful for what the vet did for him, and for what the vet lab found out.  I'm thankful for my family, friends, coworkers, and strangers that supported me in finding answers and continue to support me through a difficult time.  I'm thankful that I can bring another dog into the house and not have to worry something bad will happen to it (although I'm sure I still will).

Most of all, I'm thankful for the short amount of time that Rolo was part of our lives.  He made us so happy, and I spoiled him rotten.  It still amazes me that a small furball could mean so much and make such an impact, but I'm grateful he did.

Let's Play a Zombie Game, Week 5: Answers

The list was:

Rifle/ammunition
Metal Match
Camping Stove
First Aid Kit

The answers:

1.  Rifle/Ammunition - both effective at killing zombies and hunting for food, and it works great from a distance.

2.  Metal Match - this can be used anywhere, anytime to light a fire.  It is necessary for survival because it provides warmth and cooks food.  

3.  First Aid Kit - if you're wounded, you won't be able to move away from or fight against the undead.  Make sure you have a way to keep yourself healthy and protected.

4.  Camping Stove - while it's a great way to cook food, it normally requires some kind of fuel source to work.  If you don't have that, you just have a hunk of metal that is cumbersome to carry.

Let's Play a Zombie Game, Week 4: Answers

The list was:

Water Filtration System
Antibiotics
Container of Fuel
Rope

The answers:

1.  Water Filtration System - again, you can only survive for 3 days without water, and you may not have access to a safe source.  This will allow you to make any water safe for consumption.

2.  Rope - this can be used for a myriad of things, from setting traps to catch food or to get yourself in and out of a safe place where zombies can't reach you.

3.  Antibiotics - although these won't be helpful against the zombie virus, there are a myriad of other infections that could take you out.  These can come from bacteria that get into your system from something simple as a scratch.  There's no way to fight an internal war and an external one, so keep yourself healthy.

4.  Container of Fuel - this could be helpful if you have a vehicle that requires fuel or for starting fires, but only if you have a vehicle or something to light it with.  With all the other items that could potentially be more helpful, this one is better left behind.

Let's Play a Zombie Game, Week 3: Answers

The list was:

Backpack
Running Shoes
Duct Tape
Pocket Knife

The answers are:

1.  Running Shoes - if you have a good pair of running shoes, you can outmaneuver and outpace your opponent.  It's hard to do much of anything if you're feet hurt, so make sure your shoes fit right and offer support.

2.  Duct Tape - what can't this do?  In addition to using it in a myriad of ways, it can be used as body armor.  Wrap this around your exposed limbs to protect yourself from bites.  Just make sure to attach it to your clothes.  It'll take your skin off if applied directly.

3.  Backpack - a good way to store and carry all your supplies. It would make moving from one place to another more convenient.

4.  Pocket Knife - while it seems that this should be higher on the list because it's a weapon, it's not a very effective weapon.  You would have to get awfully close to a zombie to make this effective, increasing your chance of getting bit.  It could be helpful in sharpening sticks into weapons, but the other items on this list are more helpful in ensuring survival than this one.

Let's Play a Zombie Survival Game, Week 2: Answers

The list was:

Handgun/ammunition
Canned Food/Can Opener
Long-sleeved Shirt and Pants
GPS

The answers are:

1.  Canned Food/Can Opener - while you can survive for slightly longer without food than you can water, it is still essential to live.  It also gives you energy and the ability to run from zombies.

2.  Long-sleeved Shirt and Pants - while being trapped in the zombie-apocalyptic world, you'll need to protect yourself from the elements.  Imagine how hard and painful it would be to fight off zombies with a horrible sunburn.

3.  Handgun/ammunition - I'm pretty sure this one doesn't need an explanation, but it could be used to kill zombies or hunt for food if your canned food runs out.

4.  GPS - while the idea of having a GPS to map your location is enticing, it's impractical.  There's no guarantee you'll be able to connect to the satellite or have a power source to run it.  It would just be a waste of space in your kit.

Let's Play a Zombie Survival Game, Week 1: Answers

The list was:

Bottled Water
Steel Toe Boots
Machete
4-Wheel Drive Truck

The correct order is:

1.  Bottled Water - you can only survive for 3 days without water, so this should be the top priority on your list.

2.  Machete - you will need a way to combat the undead should you encounter them, but it also has a practical purpose that will help you get through rough terrain or cut down vegetation that you could eat (which ensures you have energy to continue to run from/fight zombies).

3.  Steel Toe Boots - foot protection is essential, especially if you have to walk/run to get safely away from zombies.  They could also double as weapons and protection if you have a really close encounter.

4.  4-Wheel Drive Truck - while it seems like this should be higher on the list since it is a fast way to get away from the undead and offers protection, what happens when you run out of gas?  Or experience a mechanical issue?  What if the roads are impassable?  You don't want to get stuck and become a sitting duck.  

I need to make a correction.  ANYONE who participates in this game will be entered for a chance to win the prizes.

Thanks!

As was pointed out by a participant, there really is no "correct" answer for these.  Depending on the situation, anyone of these could be number one.  There are an infinite amount of scenarios to consider.  However, for the sake of the game (and since I made it up :)), I have posted "correct" answers with my reasons for why they are important.  This is just for funsies, but if it helps you think about survival in different ways, then I have succeeded in my mission!

Could I have everyone who participated this week please email me at pembrokesinclair at hotmail dot com or message me on Facebook?  Thanks!