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.
__________________ Shelly and the girls  Moka Mylee |