The puzzle is over. They found THEBIGKOOK, in distress with an abscess tooth, in a pup tent down by Dogpatch. The abscess had become severely agonizing, so bad he couldn't sleep. It was a blessing that his rescuers found him at all.
The throbbing abscess had swollen his tiny face to twice its normal size. He was laying down by the berm, uncovered and shuddering uncontrollably. The ER doctor, after examining THEBIGKOOK, declared he cheated death this time,
but no more drinking for twelve months--or else.
TUBESTEAK/CAREGIVER