June 28, 2012

The Lows of Dog Rescue...AKA I Got Bitten

*Warning: this is not one of my usual fluff posts.  I talk quite frankly about the best and wost parts of animal rescue.*

Today has been a day of dog rescue activities...which isn't all the uncommon for me.  However, today has given the highest of highs and lowest of lows.

This morning I picked up little Bauer.  He is a sweet, sweet boy who's family opted to surrender him.  For obvious reasons, I won't say anything more about that.  Bauer and I then went to pick up another foster pup that needs to get spayed.  I quickly discovered that Bauer DOES NOT like the car...and will only settle if someone sings to him.  Yes, I sang for HOURS as we sat in traffic and made our way to our destinations.

I got to drop Bauer off at his foster family's house.  He immediate took to them and they accepted him with open arms.  He looks content, right?! It made my heart sing.


I then went back to our rescue's headquarters and was getting ready to head back home.  And that's when it happened.  Dottie the pitbull attacked Jack-Jack the italian greyhound.  Someone quickly grabbed Jack-Jack and when that happened, she turned and bit me.

We rushed Jack-Jack to the vet and almost lost him during that car ride.  Blood gushing out of his nose and mouth. Wounds all over his neck and hindquarters. Right now, we still don't know if he's doing to make it. 

Dottie got euthanised.  It didn't follow the usual quarantine period - but both animal control and the vet know what they're doing. My heart breaks for her.  She had never been violent before and we don't know what, if anything, set off this horrifying incident.

I got nine stitches in my upper lip and up to right below my nose.  My face and Dottie's collided with such force that I have a bruise under my eye.  I'm lucky that I got stitched up by a plastic surgeon.  {Too bad he didn't use enough anesthesia and I felt over half the stitches going in.} My face will be swollen and bruised up to a week, I'm told. I'm also under orders not to talk too much and to keep my face iced and elevated.

The worst part? For the first time in my life... I'm a little scared of dogs. I don't know when I'll feel OK with coming face to face with another pit bull or pit mix. And I know they can be REALLY good dogs.

Tonight I'm thankful for my family.  They sprang into action to make sure I had ice, tylenol and cold drinks in my house.  Mom made sure my pups got fed, out to potty and had play time.  I couldn't wait to get home to Meadow, Beckett, Paisley and Brady.  I think the little boy just might stay.

Please pray for Jack-Jack.  His family loves him so much.  Please also know that if you opt to make a rude comment about pitbulls, I will opt to delete your comment.  I respect your opinions....please be respectful of the words you chose to express them here.

16 comments:

  1. I hope your face and emotional scars heals quickly. Give yourself that time. I feel so sad for all involved. Hopefully jack-jack will make it.

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  2. I'm so terribly sorry this happened. I hope you overcome your fears soon. I was bitten by a Dalmatian as a kid (still have the scar, right across my nose) and to this day being around them makes me nervous. I have my fingers crossed Jack-Jack will be okay.
    LOL, 4 is the perfect pack number
    Nola's Mom

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  3. Oh my gosh. That is so sad and I hope you get better soon. Praying for jack jack.

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  4. I hope you get better soon! And I'm praying for Jack-Jack. My group of work friends all adopts rescue animals. I rescued my 4 cats. S and his family rescued a pitbull mix (sweet and cuddly, which does wonders for the pitbull reputation), German shep, and 2 cats, and C and his wife volunteer for a greyhound rescue and help foster dogs. They have a greyhound, a shep mix, and a shep/border collie mix and recently rescued 2 savannah cats.

    The pitbull rep makes me so sad because I 100% feel that it is how they are raised and treated that determines how they act. My heart breaks that the pitbull had to be put down, but I understand the reasoning. Still sad though.

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  5. I'm so sorry this happened to you. Will be praying for a quick recovery both mentally and physically.

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  6. I am so very sorry to hear this! We had a foster dog who was adopted then re-surrendered. We decided to take him back in as a foster (when I was 6 months pregnant), and because he was extremely neglected in his former home, he was just out of control. He knocked me down, and we had to find a new foster home for him. Luckily it wasn't worse, and he wasn't aggressive! Please take care of yourself and don't feel guilty for having these emotions. Time will heal all wounds, both physical and emotional. Praying for you, and sending lots of puppy kisses!

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  7. I am so sorry. Poor Dottie....animals, pit bull or not, only know what they are taught by PEOPLE. Why some humans choose to do what they do I will never understand. I hope Jack-Jack recovers and can get back to his family. How heartbreaking. I hope you heal quickly. Thank you for everything you do for the dogs you rescue.

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  8. Oh no! I am so sorry to hear this. I know how scary it can be to receive a dog bite. Hope that your heart and your physical injuries heal quickly. I know this must be hard for you :(

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  9. oh my gawd I am so so sorry!!! I wish I was closer so I could help you out, I feel just awful! :( I really hope you get all healed up soon and I'm so glad you have family nearby to help.

    I don't believe dog breeds are all the same, they are just a product of their environment. I'm sorry Dottie lost her life for her actions but I can understand. I just hope Jack jack will be ok! Keep us posted and I'm gonna text you a little later to check on you <3

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  10. Oh no....I'm so sorry about the physical and emotional pain you're in right now. I have similar feelings about chows after being chased by one as a little girl...and about wolf hybrids/mixes after one attacked my little brother and sent him to the hospital... Pet owners need to take responsibility and realize that THEY are the ones that shape the actions of their dogs!!

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  11. Oh gosh girl, I'm so sorry. That's so scary for you. I'll be thinking of you and pray that you have a quick recovery and not much pain.

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  12. Aww! :(

    How horrible for you! And I certainly hope little Jack-Jack is up and running soon!

    My mom has a pitbull - she is the sweetest dog I have ever met! But I have to admit, just from knowing the reputation and hearing the horror stories, I get a little jumpy when she starts playing. I hate feeling like she might bite me because she's never been anything but wonderful and loving.

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  13. Oh my goodness.....that is completely horrible...really for all 3 of you. I've known a few very nice pitbulls/pit mixes but I don't think I would ever bring one into my home. My dad has a full bred and although she is nice to me I really don't trust her. She is very dominant and I'm always scared that you will just go off one day.

    Nothing against pits, I really do think they are gorgeous dogs but if they don't have dedicated caregivers they could be really dangerous.

    Hope you heal soon love.

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  14. Holy cow, look what I missed! Dang, I am so incredibly sorry you had to experience sumptin' terrible like dis! My heart goes out to you and to Dottie, and poor Jack-Jack.
    What breaks my heart is dat you will fear dogs now...puuuuulease don't (better said than done I knows). We will keeps everybuddy in our thoughts and prayers and I hopes you and Jack- Jack recover perfectly!

    My mum LOVES her plastic surgeon...hehehehe...I stop there.

    Puddles

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  15. How awful! I'm so sorry this happened, and I hope you and Jack-Jack are both better soon. I fostered dogs for a while myself and had to take a break (which has ended up being several years long). Many heartwarming moments, but some not so great ones too. Thinking of you!

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  16. O my word Cole! So sorry to hear what happened! Hope your face will heal ok!

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