On April 21, 2018 (a sunny Saturday morning), my 7-year old, 10-pound, terrier-poodle rescue "Maddie" was in the tiny fenced front yard when two large dogs off leash jumped into my yard and attacked her. The pit bull had its jaws around her head. The retriever-collie mix had its jaws around her body. They were mauling her as she tried to escape. It all happened very quickly (in less than 30 seconds). I started screaming for the dogs to "Go Away" while flailing my arms and dove in to save Maddie. By some miracle, I was not attacked by the dogs, but poor Maddie was bleeding, struggling to breathe, and gurgling sounds were coming from her abdomen. While neighbors captured and held one of the dogs, I rushed Maddie to the nearby veterinary hospital with trauma-level ER.
Maddie is the closest thing to a child I have. I call her my “doghter.” I have never had an animal as a pet before, and I do not intend to have one after her. She is my one and only. I went into automatic pilot to try to save Maddie. We arrived at the hospital less than ten minutes after the attack, and Maddie's body had already swollen hugely. I was afraid I would lose her.
After the x-ray results came in, I was told Maddie had 3 broken ribs, severely bruised lungs with a puncture, among other internal damage, and would require surgery by the board-certified surgeon. He would come in on his day off to operate on her once they stabilized her vitals. On Sunday, the surgeon repaired her broken ribs with internal dissolving sutures, restructured her chest cavity, cleaned up her lungs, muscles, and tissues using advanced surgical techniques, then sewed her back together. Maddie spent two days in an oxygenated ICU with a deep drain and shallow drain post-surgery. She spent a total of five days in the hospital.
A police report was made including witness statements. The owner of the dogs was cited for two "infractions." Due to local and state law it is unlikely that the owner of the dogs would be forced to pay anything.
This was an extremely traumatic experience for both Maddie and me. I missed a lot of work and had to take out a loan to pay the vet hospital bill and will be paying it over time. My wages are very modest, so owing this much money is quite daunting. I have already received two contributions and greatly appreciate the love and support.
Maddie is healing slowly. Her stitches are out. Her hair has grown 1/4" in the area that was shaved for surgery. She is starting to act more like her old self. Thank you for your consideration. No matter the size, your gift toward her vet bill will be very much appreciated.
Maddie is the closest thing to a child I have. I call her my “doghter.” I have never had an animal as a pet before, and I do not intend to have one after her. She is my one and only. I went into automatic pilot to try to save Maddie. We arrived at the hospital less than ten minutes after the attack, and Maddie's body had already swollen hugely. I was afraid I would lose her.
After the x-ray results came in, I was told Maddie had 3 broken ribs, severely bruised lungs with a puncture, among other internal damage, and would require surgery by the board-certified surgeon. He would come in on his day off to operate on her once they stabilized her vitals. On Sunday, the surgeon repaired her broken ribs with internal dissolving sutures, restructured her chest cavity, cleaned up her lungs, muscles, and tissues using advanced surgical techniques, then sewed her back together. Maddie spent two days in an oxygenated ICU with a deep drain and shallow drain post-surgery. She spent a total of five days in the hospital.
A police report was made including witness statements. The owner of the dogs was cited for two "infractions." Due to local and state law it is unlikely that the owner of the dogs would be forced to pay anything.
This was an extremely traumatic experience for both Maddie and me. I missed a lot of work and had to take out a loan to pay the vet hospital bill and will be paying it over time. My wages are very modest, so owing this much money is quite daunting. I have already received two contributions and greatly appreciate the love and support.
Maddie is healing slowly. Her stitches are out. Her hair has grown 1/4" in the area that was shaved for surgery. She is starting to act more like her old self. Thank you for your consideration. No matter the size, your gift toward her vet bill will be very much appreciated.