Our Sweet Dog, Abby, Is Fighting For Her Life

Hi Daddy!  I'm so tired, really need to sleep.

Last night was a nightmare for us!  After a good day at work, Gerard left me the car at the bus stop so I wouldn't have to walk in the rain.  He and Abby welcomed me home at the bus stop and continued on their evening walk while I drove on home.  I had an uneasy feeling and prayed that they would both get home safely.  Well, that didn't happen!

I was upstairs feeding Spunky Doodle when my cell phone rang.and a lady told me my dog and husband were hurt three or four streets from our house.  She said I should come and I'd see all the police cars and flashing lights.  I just threw some food for Spunky on her table and hurried on down to throw some in Manny's bowl, then out the door I went.  I was so scared at what I'd find.

Two Rottweilers came running loose and attacked Abby really bad.  She had bites on her ear, neck, legs, abdomen and groin area and was all bloody but was conscious and could walk when I arrived.  Gerard was by the EMS truck screaming about his dog.  Gerard beat the dogs trying to get them off Abby but it was useless and they bit his left hand too.  He told me later that he felt so helpless, he tried to protect her and couldn't.  He called for help and it seemed like a long time before anyone came.  Some neighbors came and beat the dogs with sticks, one guy shot a gun in the air or at the ground to try to scare them off.  Finally they left her alone and fortunately the cops were able to catch the dogs and track down the owners. 

I walked Abby to our car and called to make sure Bartel's was still open (thank God for cell phones).  I was so relieved when they said one doctor was still there and I could bring her in.  They all know and love Abby too.  A nice policeman lifted Abby into the front seat of our car for me and another one brought Gerard to the hospital shortly after.  Once we got Abby admitted and the papers signed for surgery, we went to the hospital to get Gerard's hand looked at.

Fortunately, no bones were broken, but he had to get a tetanus shot, an x-ray, have his hand bandaged and in a contraption for a couple days.  He said it didn't hurt but I know that's because he was only thinking about Abby.  She was in surgery for a couple hours and the wonderful staff at Bartel's stayed way past their normal hours to help her.  The surgeon said she did well through surgery and was looking good and doing well but the first 72 hours are critical.  Any number of things could still go wrong so we would sure appreciated all the prayers we can get for our wonderful dog.

We stopped in to see her this morning, but were only allowed to stay ten minutes because she was on pain killers and needs her rest.  The doctor kept saying she was doing well and looking good but I sure think she looks very bad, certainly not good.  I don't know what dog he was looking at.

This is Abby looking good!

The animal warden told us the owners were cited for their dogs running loose and declared them dangerous and highly recommended that they be euthanized.  It's sad for them too and they did ask about Gerard and Abby.  The police and dog warden both said they are responsible for all the medical and vet bills that we will get so I do really hope they step up and do the right thing by paying them.  The estimate we got for Abby is around $2,000 but she is so worth it!  We miss her so much and are overcome with sadness but praying God will strengthen her, heal her and that she would be okay but I think it's going to take a long time for her to fully recover.

I know that God's will for us is to give thanks in everything, and I certainly do.  I am thankful Abby wasn't killed on the spot by those two dogs, thankful that Gerard had his cell phone with him and I had mine with our vet's number in the contacts, that we were able to take her to our own vet which is close by and for the wonderful doctors and technicians at Bartels.  I am also thankful that the police have pictures of everything to document the report, that they were able to impound the dogs and that the owners were found and cited, it's only right. 



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