(NOTE - This post is very difficult to write, and I know it will be very difficult for some to read, because it's graphic and scary, so please don't read this if you think it will be too disturbing.)
We are on vacation visiting my in-laws right now. They raise horses. While everyone was inside watching the big USC vs. Clemson game, I decided to take the kids to the barn to play with the kittens. The kids started running from the house to the barn, and Huck was running right alongside them. Usually there are no horses in the barn. They are all in the pasture, and the stables are completely closed anyway, so I didn't think to worry about him. What I didn't realize was the stallion was out today. When I got to the barn, Huck was at the fence sniffing, head to head with the stallion who was bent over eating. I panicked, and yelled at Huck to get away from the horse and started running towards him. I guess he thought I was fussing at him, so he started to run from me, straight under the fence. I can't even type this. I'm trembling and crying as I type it, because I can see it happening all over again. The horse was startled, either by my reaction or Huck's - I'm not sure which - and took off running, with Huck underfoot. At that point I don't know what happened, because at the angle I was coming, my view was blocked by part of the barn wall. I felt like I was running in slow motion, but I didn't want to get around that wall, because I was so scared of what I might find (this is so hard
). When I finally did see Huck he was on his side, with his head slightly raised. I didn't even think about where the stallion was or if he was going to come back at us. I just climbed through the opening of the fence and crossed through ankle deep manure, wearing flip-flops. I felt like I was in shock or something. I picked him up. I didn't want to look at him. I just knew he was going to be gone. He was so stiff and his mouth was in a growl, but he wasn't making any noise at all. I don't know how to describe it. It was horrific. I just pulled him to my chest and held him close and tried to calmly tell my nephew to go get my husband. But he was terrifed at what he saw and just kept asking over and over, "Is Huck dead?". I began walking back to the house. I didn't want to run, because I was afraid I might hurt him more. Honestly, I wasn't sure if Huck was alive or not. I pulled him away from me, so I could look as his face. I cannot describe how horrified and scared and panicked I felt when I saw what I saw. There was so much blood. My shirt was covered in blood and Huck's eye was so swollen and bulging. Blood was coming out of his nose and it sounded like he was choking. I just knew he was dying and suffering. At that exact moment my 8 year old daughter came out of the house, and I started screaming and crying, "Go get daddy! I think Huck is dead!" Within seconds my husband bolted out of the door. I was screaming that Huck had been kicked by the horse and he was dying! I was hysterical. He tried to take Huck from me, but I wouldn't let him. His little paws were wrapped around, literally clutching, my arm. I didn't want to pull him away from my chest again. I was too afraid of what I might see. By then my mother-in-law and father-in-law came out and the three of them managed to get him away from me. They took him inside to see if they could clean him off and see where the bleeding was coming from. I couldn't go. It was like I was just frozen. I remember hearing my son asking over and over - is Huck dead? Why are you bleeding mommy? I couldn't even say anything. I was just frozen. I managed to shake myself out of it long enough to comfort and reassure my son. After what seemed like an eternity, my husband came out and said that he thought Huck was just cut really bad and that he was going to be okay. He told me I needed to come inside and give him some Nutri-Cal. My mother-in-law got in touch with her vet and they saw us right away. They took him into another room to examine him, and I had to close my ears, because I had never heard him cry like that, and it was all I could do to keep from running in to rescue him. X-rays revealed Huck had several hairline fractures in his lower left jaw and one major fracture. Because of all the hairline fractures they opted not to do surgery, because they were afraid it might cause further breakage. Instead they are going to let it heal naturally, but he has to be on a completely liquid diet for a month. Anything he eats has to be lapped up with his tongue, with as little movement of the jaw as possible.
He really is a little miracle. Truly a miracle! I cannot believe this little 9" by
9", 5 lb. puppy, survived being basically kicked by a stallion about a hundred times his size. I feel so blessed - I cannot even tell you. The Lord protected our little Huck. If that horse's hoof would have caught Huck just a few inches higher, it would have been a skull/brain injury, instead of a jaw injury or he could've easily been trampled.
Nevertheless, please, please keep Huck in your prayers. Based on what the vet said, Huck is in some very serioius pain. Although, he sent us home with some strong pain meds, I know Huck is suffering, and it is breaking my heart. He's always such a happy little guy, super friendly to everyone, human and non-human, such a total love bug, cuddler. He doesn't deserve this.
I bought Huck a brand new USC Gamecock shirt before the big game, and I just remember this morning we were outside walking, and he was trotting right alongside me so happy. He loves this place, beautiful wide open spaces to run and play with Bonnie and Sandy, his Char-Pei and yellow lab doggie pals. I looked down at him and he looked up at me in his bright, white new crisp shirt. He had such a little pep in his step and he just looked so darned handsome. As I look at him tonight, he just seems like a shell of that puppy I remember from earlier today. I can't stand seeing him this way. The struggle over the next few days is going to be to keep him hydrated and eating. Please, please pray that Huck will have a complete recovery and will once again have that happy little pep in his step again soon.
Thanks (in advance) for your prayers and well-wishes!
Anna, Huck, and family