When the dog bites....

Note: sensitive pictures below.  Tree picture is to keep sensitive pictures from showing on FB feed.  Nothing to do with story.

3/1/2022

This has been an interesting and painful week.  I was over at my daughters house working in the backyard.  Chaos, my 11 yo red nosed Pittie had been outside with me.  I'm Chaos grandma but he lives with me.  The other 2 dogs Foxtrot (Terrier mix) and Clyde (Pittie/Boxer) were inside in their kennels.  Clyde is a recent rescue / adoption to the family.  Had him about 2 months.  Foxtrot (FT) is sbout 1 year old.  Clyde is about 2 years old.

When Colby got home, We took Chaos inside and put him in the back bedroom.  Colby let FT and Clyde out in the fenced in back yard. I was inside talking to Colby and went back outside.  I'm standing with my back against the backdoor as FT comes up and jumps up for love pats.  I patted his head.  Clyde is short and also jumps up so his is balancing on my belly below FT.  I help FT back down and pat Clyde on his head.  FT jumps up again and I pat his head and let him down.  Clyde and FT are now on all 4s.  

Clyde looks at me, his eyes change, he growls, and I go still.  He glances back at FT and growls at him.  He turns back at me .....growls again and lunges.  The next 15 to 30 seconds are a blur.  He attacks my right arm. Several teeth scratches deep at the end, and I'm screaming, NO, STOP, STOP, HELP, SOMEONE HELP.ME, HE's BITING ME.  My neighbor yelled at Clyde and I yell back CALL 911, at this point Clyde grabs my left arm below the elbow and bites and chews the same spot (muscle) he is clamped on and I can't get him to release.  Then he bites the joint in my arm under the elbow and he lets the weight off his back legs.  He stays clamped on and bites a 4 inch laceration at that location.  I'm still screaming as blood starts running down the crook of my arm, HES BITING ME, HELP ME. SAVE ME, I'M BLEEDING OUT. HE'S BITING ME.   Blood was pouring down my arm.  I thought he hit an artery.  Colby runs out and yells CLYDE STOP!! and he stops.  I'm still screaming, didn't realize it but he he'd bit my leg leaving an abrasion.  He had me on my knees as I was trying to stop his weight on my arm.  I guess he would have gone for jugular soon if not for Colby standing him down.  

So I run into the house, holding pressure on arm, and I'm still screaming.  Colby follows me, has 911 on speaker and we're standing at the sink.  I'm holding pressure also.  He's got his belt off trying to tourniquet my arm.  That didn't work so he gets a towel and we both hold pressure on the wound.  Evidently I kept saying DONT LET ME DIE......I ended up on my knees in front of the sink and my arm straight up and 911 is still asking questions.  Seems like forever before they got there but it wasnt that long.  I told Colby I was dizzy and might pass out.  He helped me lie down in front of stove.  EMS, and First responders arrive (Fire Dept).  They are assisting me so Colby goes out to help with gurney, access. 

Megan gets home and from side street she sees the Fire truck and ambulance.   She is wondering what's happening,  maybe a neighbor needed help.  She turns into street and sees EMS walking to our door.   She has Kadence, with her.  As she drives up Colby is under carport and he is shaken.  Megan asked what happened,  and Colby said "Clyde went after your mom".  He's visibly shaken.  Megan got Colby to take Kadence to neighbor because she couldn't come in the house. 

Megan walked in and couldn't see me.  She told me she was there. She couldn't see me, but she could see the sink, and the blood down the cabinets and pooled on the floor.   EMS were telling me they had to look at my arm.  I asked them not to or would start bleeding again. They said they had to and to my relief it was clotting.   So Megan is listening at this point, Im telling her I need my phone and insurance card, etc.  She says Mom we got it.  EMS asked if I could get up and walk out.  I say yes (but i'm emotionally drained and start crying).  Megan pushes by them and says MOM I'm here lets go.  So she helps me up. I tell them I'm dizzy and hold on to sink cabinet.  I start to walk toward door and Megan assists me out.  I'm on the gurney and soon in the ambulance.  

Animal control shows up.  Colby goes to get Clyde who is not distressed or worried.  EMS said "Thats the dog?"  They were actually scared to come to the house because they thought he was a vicious dog 24 × 7.  Nope, he just snapped.  We think he was abused and previous surrender may have seen some signs of aggression and surrendered him without disclosing.  He is being quarantined and will be put down.  I hate it.  I loved him but we cant have that.  Jeckyl and Hyde.  We cant have him back here.

In the ambulance , they check my BP, 85 over 43.  Im feeling cold going into shock. My breathing is a little labored. They put in IV and fluids and it starts going up.  I start to feel some better.  

Megan checks with EMS. They want to put a 2nd IV in and were going to have to do shoulder or foot as left arm is a mess.  Megan tells them we usually have low BP, so I only had 1 IV.  

The rush me to hospital.  And the staff there clean my wounds (that really hurt), and assess the damage.  It wasn't an artery, Thank God.  The Dr comes in and is concerned that Clyde may have damaged a muscle as it had spasmed but they later thought ok. Gave me antibiotics and morphine as them touching those areas was so painful.  They Don't suture dog bites,  but tacked the laceration, as need to heal from inside out and nasty stuff in dogs mouth could cause infection and be hidden if stitched ip, gave minimal stitches on the 4 inch laceration.  And got a tetnus shot.

I knew my middle finger on left hand had a bite on it as he had my whole hand in his mouth at some point as I've found partial cuts on other fingers.  I flashed back to him biting my hand and thought he'd ripped my fingers off.  And he bit my left leg above the knee.  But was more of an abrasion than a cut.

I was in the ER until 10pm 

Megan cleaned the kitchen (we call.it the murder scene) before going to hospital.  Arrangements were made for Kadence to stay with her Dad at other Grandparents house and Megan could take care of me.  She left as I told her I was in good hands and go get some food.  She picked me up, and we got my meds and some food and went home.

I'm uncomfortable and in a lot of pain.  Both arms are bandaged.  I cant pick up anything heavier than a cell phone.   I have to use 2 hands to open fridge, close a door, etc..  And I have no grip.  I cooked a scrambled egg in microwave yday, made 2 pieces of toast in the oven, and that was it.  I cant even open the med bottles as I have zero grip.   I have plenty of pain,  but working thru.

Left arm

Right arm:

Left hand:

Note, there is betadine on this so looks worse.  

3/3/3022

I went to the Doctor today and they cleaned and redreased the injuries.  I cant do anything for 3 to 4 weeks. Y'all who know me....know this is not good as I have lots of clearing and cleaning and purging that I'm doing.  Always busy.  I can't drive but luckily I have Megan, Colby and my sister who can help me.  

I aill not get over this soon.  I feel like I have a good handle on it, but I will seek some.counseling just to be sure.

I am still an advocate for rescuing dogs and do not blame the organization as I believe they were lied to by previous owner.  They found Clyde lose and his owner surrendered him, not wanting him yet answered all the questions as not aggressive.   No issues. 

 

 I'm.so very thankful to:

*for Gods love, mercy and blessings (Thank God it was me and not my granddaughter).

*Colby who is my hero....he saved me.

*EMS for all they did....

*Nash ER staff....amazing people

*Megan who is taking care of me and who helped me.get off that floor when.I felt defeated and stressed.  

*My neighbors whoi yelled and helped distract Clyde, and Steve was ready to come in the yard to help.  Also they called Gregg to give him an update. And Edna who has offered her assitance fie anything I need while.recouperating..

*My sister Paula who has been my teammate and best friend theuoughoit our parents health issues, as well assisted me with carrying me around, carrying things. Making sure Im comfortable, talking to the Doctor....She is a blessing.   I am so blessed to have my sister and dont deserve her...

Left arm:

Right arm:

Left hand:

My left arm and hand is really swollen.  Im thankful I'm right handed..

I.put this on my blog as I wanted to share it, but not have the pics on FB displaying to scare kids or anyone who doesn't want to see carnage on their feed.

Please pray for me amd the family.  God bless...