Hepburn was attacked today

[dryoasis88]

Today I went to pick up a beautiful harness and leash set with a matching treat and baggies holder at a new store I found near my apartment. I had to special order the harness to fit him, but I was so excited to go pick it up. I rode my bike there and I got off the bike in front of the store with Hepburn still in his basket in the back. There was a chocolate lab standing in the store doorway with the owner of the store (and the dog) standing nearby talking to a customer. I walked up to the store and the chocolate grabbed my baby and shook him like a doll. I was totally horrified. I grabbed Hepburn really quick from the other dog, and my baby was screaming loudly. I tried to console him, but he would not stop. Eventually he calmed down and he could walk around but he wouldn't move his head, he kept screeching whenever he moved his neck or head. So I told the owner that he needed to be seen by a vet right away and what did they want to do. They drove me to their vet and he was seen after a long wait. It turns out that under his lovely coat there was a 4 inch long lateral cut around the back of his neck, only a skin wound but quite large, and inside the skin wound there was a deeper puncture wound. He didn't bleed however at all. The owner of the store stayed with me the whole time while his wife watched the store and after three hours of waiting while they xrayed and examined my baby boy, we came out with heavy pain meds, an antibiotic shot, and a bandage, with an appointment at 10am tomorrow to have the wound closed under full anesthesia, as it is too large to close under local.

The owner of the store gave me my harness set for free, drove me home, paid all the vet bills, and will pick me up in the morning to take me and Hepburn back for his surgery, as well as pick me and Hepburn up after the surgery tomorrow evening (I will go do other things during the day, otherwise I will drive myself crazy waiting at the vet all day for Hepburn).

I am still in shock, as is Hepburn, but the situation is not life threatening right now. The only reason surgery was not done tonight is because he had a full belly and heavy breathing and the vet wanted to make sure he was in the best shape possible before putting him under.

I want to ask all of you to pray for my baby boy tomorrow because he has never been under injected anesthesia (and I am not thrilled about the fact that he needs to at all), only gas when he was fixed in Feb. I cried so much today when they found that huge cut, I thought I might lose him and I figure the more people that pray for him tomorrow, the better the chance that God will see it fit to let him stay here with me for a long while longer and get him safely through his surgery so we can move on to recovery.

Also, if anyone has tips about how to help him not be afraid of dogs when he gets feeling better. I am so worried that I am going to be too afraid of letting him play with other dogs now and he will never get back to his friendly other-dog-loving self again. We went out tonight quick for a peepee run and he wouldn't leave the apartment, I had to pick him up. He was so scared to go outside, I don't want to be scared forever.

Lastly, I am so glad that there is a forum like this where I can write about this type of problem, which I hope I never have to write about again, and there are people who understand how hard it is to go through something like this, even if the outcome is good in comparison to what could of been. I keep trying to think positively, that it could have been so much worse, I could have really lost him and I should be lucky that it is not life threatening, but I am sure you all understand that it doesn't make it any easier to watch him hurting or upset or scared. Thank you all for your support.

[Foster Mom]

Prayers coming your way!!

How scary....

[Maximo]

Sending prayers for Hepburn and positive thoughts for you. I can imagine how scared you were and how worried you still are for your baby.

Sending gentle hugs to your little one.

[Sammy Mommy]

You and Hepburn must have been terrified!!! I'm so sorry that you are going thru this. I will be praying your little Hepburn and i know everything will be fine. Sending get well hugs to Hepburn. Please let us know how everything goes.

[Britster]

I'm soooo sorry! Poor Hepburn! It sounds like the owner of the store was extremely great through all this. You are so lucky. Did the dog belong to the owner of the store? If so, that's pretty scary. He's got a huge liability issue on his hands with a dog like that running loose in a pet store.

I'll be praying for Hepburn and sooo happy that it's not worse! Get better, buddy.

[orlnurse]

OMG..prayers for your baby! Is he moving ok?

[yorkietalkjilly]

My Jilly was attacked by a Dalmation, had surgery and for whatever reason just resumed her same life as before. I suspected she would be completely cowed by big dogs after that but our next walk, she was rushing the fence barking furiously at a German Shepherd Dog that was trying to get through that fence to us.

She never ever acted like she had been attacked so maybe it can happen that you baby will react the same way. As amazing as it sounds, when a big dog approached her(she was a frail 3 lbs.) from then on, she just always reacted according to the approach - friendly approach, she was friendly, barking, she barked back, hackles up approach - momma picked her up, slowly turned and left, watching our back and shushing her furious growls. I know you are as shocked and horrified as I was by your baby being attacked but he may not let it affect him the way we fear. I am praying that your Hepburn heals quickly, as painlessly as possible and without fear.

[EsmeeKimme]

OMG how horrible for you and your poor baby. I am so sorry that happened to you both. I am glad he wasn't hurt more than he was but I am so shocked it happened. I wouldn't allow my dog in public if I didn't know they could be trusted not to act that way.

I don't know how to tell you not to be scared because I would be the same way right now. I just wish your sweet baby fast healing and comfort.

Please let us know how the appt goes tommorrow you will be in our thoughts all day.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Just a word, how he's acting now right while he is still injured, hurting and on pain meds, won't necessarily be how he acts when he is well and feeling himself again. Jilly acted like you described - and worse - almost catatonic - until she was post-op and her wounds mostly healed. Once she was out of pain and off the pain medicine and antibiotics, she was back to being herself. It was the most amazing transformation I've ever seen.

[gidget529]

What a terrible thing to go thru for both you and your poor little one!! We will keep you both in our prayers, especiallly for little Hepburn and the surgery.

For the question about other dogs - my parents had a Scottie who got attacked by a neighbor's large dog. It was not as bad as an attack as poor little Hepburn went thru, but Scotties are a little sturdier dog. Max was still very friendly towards other dogs, both big and small; however, he was never friendly towards that neighbor's dog again, and if he saw him, he would bark like he was warning everyone that that dog was outside.

[itsbaddangel]

Lots of prayers coming your way along with hugs from me and wet puppy kisses from Jazi and Izi

[dryoasis88]

Thank you all so much for the support. It really helps so much to hear that other dogs got through this type of trauma and went on to not be scared of other dogs.

The dog does belong to the owner of the store, but she openly said she normally doesn't allow the dog to come downstairs during the day unless she is leashed and taken out through the back. Today was an exception because it was close to closing time on a slow day and a regular customer's daughter wanted to say hello. I too think that it is a large liability and I will not be returning to the store front to purchase from them, although their products are wonderful (handmade harnesses, leashes, etc) and I would consider purchasing through a phone order or online from them again despite what happened.

Hepburn is moving fine, but is extremely off and catatonic almost. He did, however, jump up and bark at the doorbell when the pizza man came to deliver my dinner so that is a good sign.

I will be sure to update this thread tomorrow as the day goes on with news about his surgery. Keep on praying and thanks again!

[Juliealfies mum]

Thinking of you and your little one.

[Bella Mae]

OMG, how sad!!! I will keep you in my prayers hoping you and Hepburn get through this with flying colors. God Bless you (&Hepburn) & Keep you in his tender care!

[Cha Cha]

Wow, you have been through a lot! I am so sorry for your poor little baby Hepburn. I will definitely send some prayers your way for him. As far as going out, I walk my dogs, but I don't go to dog parks. We don't have any close. When I am approaching other dogs, I keep my distance. If it is a large dog, I pick up my dog. I know I don't know the dog approaching, but I also don't know for sure how my own dogs would react if I got too close. So it goes both ways. They see others at the vet, and there is a big dog behind me that they play with through the fence, but that's about it. If a big dog is close to me, while I have my dog in my arms, I turn my back to the big dog putting myself between my dog and the other one. I wouldn't be opposed to play dates with other Yorkies, or small dogs because I think mine would actually be ok and I am all about socializing. But when big dogs are in question I just don't take the chance only because the law of size is in favor of the big dog should the situation turn ugly. I never let my dogs get close enought to smell the other dog.

Years ago a large dog picked up my little Minature Schnauzer and shook him. He got puncture wounds under his skin but no deeper, and he got air in that cavity between the skin and the rest of his internal organs. When I picked him up he sounded and felt like those bubbles you get in packing boxes. He ended up being ok, but it was so scary, so I know how you feel.

I am glad the shop owner is paying bills and helping you get to your appointments and waiting with you. That says a lot on their behalf in an unfortunate situation.