While Lily and I were walking in our neighborhood on Fri evening on August 14th around 8pm, she got attacked by 2 dogs. I was SCREAMING my head off and yelling and trying to get them off of her. I just knew they were killing her ;( It was awful and she was soooo scared. A neighbor came to help and he and I were both trying to get them off of her. Lily was able to finally get away from their grasp, but they chased her down and attacked her again. That neighbor ran up to the second attack area and kicked the dogs away from Lily. Lily then raced home, still being chased. But the female got tired and stopped and then another guy (a cable guy working on the street) was able to get the male away from Lily at my doorstep. I was screaming and yelling and crying the entire time. I thought they killed her during the first attack, the second attack, and in my front yard ;(
I raced to take her to the ER vet. I wasn't able to go in with her (due to COVID) and I had no idea if she would survive or not, it was so brutal. But she did! She had surgery and after 6 harrowing hours, I picked her up at 3am. She had many open wounds, and the vet was able to combine some together and so in the end there were 7 big areas he explored and then stitched up - they ranged anywhere from 3 to 8 inches inches long - around her neck, and the outside and inside of both back legs. :( Her back legs were the worst, with some muscle damage.
She had several ports to help drainage/ infection. She had pain the most in her back legs. I was to keep her not moving around as much as possible for 2 weeks (stitches stayed in for 2 weeks and she was to wear the Cone of Shame the entire time). I felt horrible she was in so much pain the first weekend! Really was breaking my heart. ;(. And I couldn't get out of my head the attack, either. I burst into tears every time I thought about the attack, which I know my crying upsets Lily so I needed to be stronger.
She is okay, tho! And it could have been a ton worse!! She could have died (been murdered) right there during the attacks, or had much, much worse injuries. They could have clipped organs or veins. And they just barely missed her left eye when one of the dogs clamped down on her face in the middle of the attack - she has a puncture wound near her left eye.
What I witnessed, it's truly a miracle she survived and I'm so thankful! We are still reeling from the trauma of the two dogs that attacked Lily, as it's a very slow, emotional, rough, tough process, with bursts of tears, anxiety, and nightmares, but her and I are together!
It's very surreal to be thankful after a traumatic event, but it could have been SO MUCH worse! She has rebounded very well (~50 stitches), and we were watched over for sure!
What I found out later: A cable guy accidentally didn't latch a gate to the backyard securely, and for whatever reason, two dogs (Blue Heelers) ran across the street at us and attacked Lily. We were walking very happy and not making any noise. Lily is very shy and doesn't even bark. No one understands. The female just had babies, but we were nowhere near their house and not making any noise. They do have aggressive dogs next door to them, but not sure that has anything to do with this. The vet shared that when there is more than one dog, they can act like a pack and attack for unprovoked reasons.
The cable guy kept apologizing as I was pulling out of the driveway with Lily to the ER, but I didn't understand why at the time. He was going to write a report of what happened, btw, to his company (but I haven't heard anything from them yet). The owners were not home at the time.
I am SO thankful that that neighbor helped Lily and I! He didn't have to jump in - as he could have got hurt himself. He said, though, that he can't stop thinking about the attack, either. It was just so brutal. And for him, he did not know what was going on at first when he heard my screams and saw the dogs across the street... didn't know if I was being attacked or a child or what, as Lily and I got pulled between a garage door and a car and he wasn't sure what he was about to see as he ran up to help. He told me recently that every time he walks out of his house he thinks of us. The attack didn't just affect Lily and I as you can see.
The mayor of my city lives next door to me and talked to witnesses and owners right after the event (I called him hysterical on the way to the ER vet). His wife put bandages on my hands and knees while I waited during Lily's surgeries (I had fallen hard during the attack and was bruised and scraped up, and got several deep rope burns from the leash, but the dogs did not bite me). And I told the Mayor the entire story.
Animal control came out the Monday after - and provided the owners photos of Lily's stiches around half her neck (which you can see in the photo below) and back legs. I heard they might not have had any idea how bad Lily got hurt by their dogs.
Lily's medical bills are near $2,200 now. I have not heard from the dogs' owners (no apology or anything). And I also have therapy costs - I am getting much needed therapy every two weeks.
Everyone told me Lily would recover, and that dogs are very resilient - and they were right! It was a rough couple of weeks, but she's doing so much better! :) She was wagging her tail after her naps, gave me kisses, had a great appetite - all within just a few days after the surgery. I was so relieved! Yes, her legs still hurt and need to heal, but yet she walked around the backyard days after, it's truly amazing. But mentally, we are both freaked out.
I took her to the vet a few days later and he was happy with her healing and progress. She even wagged her tail happily as she walked briskly (too briskly imo) back to the car, lol! The vet was worried more about me, than her, he told me. I have PTSD. Some days are worse than others, but it's def a traumatic event for her and I.
A friend of mine told me this will bring Lily and I closer, and I couldn't even imagine such a thing as we already are, but she was right! Lily can tell I'm taking care of her when I clean her wounds twice a day and ensure she's comfortable. I even took her stitches out myself - and she didn't squirm - like she knew I was trying to help.
She seemed confused/sad as to why we weren't going for car rides and on walks like usual that first week after. I honestly didn't know if we could go on walks again. It's very unfortunate, as walking is one of my coping activities, and Lily got used to going and really looked forward to it every day (sometimes twice a day).
I could tell she really wanted to walk, as she stood at the door to the garage - staring at it, lol. I finally decided to take her to the pool area - which is not near our house - but she could at least walk and sniff around. Two weeks later we ventured to a park that I knew didn't have a lot of dogs. She seemed so happy! I was for sure relieved and also grateful to be outdoors walking, even if it was for only 10-15 minutes (she couldn't walk too long at first).
Lily and I would always go to a park Sat and Sun mornings, and we tried to get that started again after about two weeks. I was PETRIFIED! We shortened several walks due to dogs not on leashes at parks the first few weeks.
I bought an air horn after a recommendation from a fried, and I carry that and a stick with us every time. We are both very skittish, including any sudden noises. She squats down scared immediately (she never did this before), and I get scared as hell.
I raced to take her to the ER vet. I wasn't able to go in with her (due to COVID) and I had no idea if she would survive or not, it was so brutal. But she did! She had surgery and after 6 harrowing hours, I picked her up at 3am. She had many open wounds, and the vet was able to combine some together and so in the end there were 7 big areas he explored and then stitched up - they ranged anywhere from 3 to 8 inches inches long - around her neck, and the outside and inside of both back legs. :( Her back legs were the worst, with some muscle damage.
She had several ports to help drainage/ infection. She had pain the most in her back legs. I was to keep her not moving around as much as possible for 2 weeks (stitches stayed in for 2 weeks and she was to wear the Cone of Shame the entire time). I felt horrible she was in so much pain the first weekend! Really was breaking my heart. ;(. And I couldn't get out of my head the attack, either. I burst into tears every time I thought about the attack, which I know my crying upsets Lily so I needed to be stronger.
She is okay, tho! And it could have been a ton worse!! She could have died (been murdered) right there during the attacks, or had much, much worse injuries. They could have clipped organs or veins. And they just barely missed her left eye when one of the dogs clamped down on her face in the middle of the attack - she has a puncture wound near her left eye.
What I witnessed, it's truly a miracle she survived and I'm so thankful! We are still reeling from the trauma of the two dogs that attacked Lily, as it's a very slow, emotional, rough, tough process, with bursts of tears, anxiety, and nightmares, but her and I are together!
It's very surreal to be thankful after a traumatic event, but it could have been SO MUCH worse! She has rebounded very well (~50 stitches), and we were watched over for sure!
What I found out later: A cable guy accidentally didn't latch a gate to the backyard securely, and for whatever reason, two dogs (Blue Heelers) ran across the street at us and attacked Lily. We were walking very happy and not making any noise. Lily is very shy and doesn't even bark. No one understands. The female just had babies, but we were nowhere near their house and not making any noise. They do have aggressive dogs next door to them, but not sure that has anything to do with this. The vet shared that when there is more than one dog, they can act like a pack and attack for unprovoked reasons.
The cable guy kept apologizing as I was pulling out of the driveway with Lily to the ER, but I didn't understand why at the time. He was going to write a report of what happened, btw, to his company (but I haven't heard anything from them yet). The owners were not home at the time.
I am SO thankful that that neighbor helped Lily and I! He didn't have to jump in - as he could have got hurt himself. He said, though, that he can't stop thinking about the attack, either. It was just so brutal. And for him, he did not know what was going on at first when he heard my screams and saw the dogs across the street... didn't know if I was being attacked or a child or what, as Lily and I got pulled between a garage door and a car and he wasn't sure what he was about to see as he ran up to help. He told me recently that every time he walks out of his house he thinks of us. The attack didn't just affect Lily and I as you can see.
The mayor of my city lives next door to me and talked to witnesses and owners right after the event (I called him hysterical on the way to the ER vet). His wife put bandages on my hands and knees while I waited during Lily's surgeries (I had fallen hard during the attack and was bruised and scraped up, and got several deep rope burns from the leash, but the dogs did not bite me). And I told the Mayor the entire story.
Animal control came out the Monday after - and provided the owners photos of Lily's stiches around half her neck (which you can see in the photo below) and back legs. I heard they might not have had any idea how bad Lily got hurt by their dogs.
Lily's medical bills are near $2,200 now. I have not heard from the dogs' owners (no apology or anything). And I also have therapy costs - I am getting much needed therapy every two weeks.
Everyone told me Lily would recover, and that dogs are very resilient - and they were right! It was a rough couple of weeks, but she's doing so much better! :) She was wagging her tail after her naps, gave me kisses, had a great appetite - all within just a few days after the surgery. I was so relieved! Yes, her legs still hurt and need to heal, but yet she walked around the backyard days after, it's truly amazing. But mentally, we are both freaked out.
I took her to the vet a few days later and he was happy with her healing and progress. She even wagged her tail happily as she walked briskly (too briskly imo) back to the car, lol! The vet was worried more about me, than her, he told me. I have PTSD. Some days are worse than others, but it's def a traumatic event for her and I.
A friend of mine told me this will bring Lily and I closer, and I couldn't even imagine such a thing as we already are, but she was right! Lily can tell I'm taking care of her when I clean her wounds twice a day and ensure she's comfortable. I even took her stitches out myself - and she didn't squirm - like she knew I was trying to help.
She seemed confused/sad as to why we weren't going for car rides and on walks like usual that first week after. I honestly didn't know if we could go on walks again. It's very unfortunate, as walking is one of my coping activities, and Lily got used to going and really looked forward to it every day (sometimes twice a day).
I could tell she really wanted to walk, as she stood at the door to the garage - staring at it, lol. I finally decided to take her to the pool area - which is not near our house - but she could at least walk and sniff around. Two weeks later we ventured to a park that I knew didn't have a lot of dogs. She seemed so happy! I was for sure relieved and also grateful to be outdoors walking, even if it was for only 10-15 minutes (she couldn't walk too long at first).
Lily and I would always go to a park Sat and Sun mornings, and we tried to get that started again after about two weeks. I was PETRIFIED! We shortened several walks due to dogs not on leashes at parks the first few weeks.
I bought an air horn after a recommendation from a fried, and I carry that and a stick with us every time. We are both very skittish, including any sudden noises. She squats down scared immediately (she never did this before), and I get scared as hell.
My life will never be the same. I even contemplated moving. And worse, I don't know if I could ever get a dog again, which breaks my heart because they can be beautiful, loving creatures, and are also a key part of my well-being.
I knew within 3 days of the attack that I needed help... and I looked for counseling by the end of the week. I am very proud of myself for doing that! I never did that in the past - so was very proud of myself. AND - the counseling is helping! I am getting great advice.
I still yet cannot drive down the street of where the attacked happened and FOR SURE can't walk that way. I was able to finally walk Lily around my own block, even though I checked over my shoulder the ENTIRE time, but it was a huge first step! I had been driving her to a park about 10 minutes away to walk, as walking was apart huge part of our routine.
I knew within 3 days of the attack that I needed help... and I looked for counseling by the end of the week. I am very proud of myself for doing that! I never did that in the past - so was very proud of myself. AND - the counseling is helping! I am getting great advice.
I still yet cannot drive down the street of where the attacked happened and FOR SURE can't walk that way. I was able to finally walk Lily around my own block, even though I checked over my shoulder the ENTIRE time, but it was a huge first step! I had been driving her to a park about 10 minutes away to walk, as walking was apart huge part of our routine.
I believe everything happens for a reason, and I'm not angry about this. And while it's been a very rough time for her and I, it could have been MUCH worse, it could have been a child, it could have been stronger dogs that attacked her and killed her, it could have been a smaller dog that got attacked and killed, etc. Yes, I get mad at those dogs when I care for her wounds or think of the attack, but Lily survived and is recovering really well!
We were both watched over that day - thank you, Lord!
A blessing, really. <3
I welcome any thoughts and prayers for Lily and I :)
A blessing, really. <3
I welcome any thoughts and prayers for Lily and I :)
