Incredible writing Geoff! I have read this through several times imagining and re-imagining Dog.
Rabies or diseases of the like have been a source of many a nightmare for me. I can't believe that this happened to your family.

Working with kids these days makes me wonder why your parents did not wake you to be more clear with you about Dog's condition. I don't see any of the children in my lab class reading directions before handling dangerous chemicals. They have to be told every warning.