You know, I like my blog posts to be honest, and to give my readers a true picture of what's been going on in my life, but I can scarcely bear to write about this.
I feel so very very badly.
And it had been such a lovely walk, along the River Dee with neighbour Yvonne and her flat-coated retriever Jake. Jake and I are not exactly best pals, but we generally rub along together quite happily. And it was such a pretty afternoon, although you'll have to take my word for it as Gail forgot her camera.
In retrospect I'm wondering if Jake was envious 'cos I was allowed in the front of Yvonne's car with Gail while Jake was confined to the boot.
Anyway, it was all peace and goodwill until we arrived back in our street and got out of the car.
Really I don't know quite how it happened or what I did to make Jake so cross.
All I know is that Gail and Yvonne were standing in the street nattering on as usual, then all of a sudden Jake had me by the scruff of the neck and was shaking me quite hard. I shrieked and squealed and Gail tried to prize me from his jaws but he wouldn't let go and in my utter panic I bit her arm and then Yvonne managed to pull Jake away.
It happened so quickly.
Gail checked my neck for signs of injury, but found none.
She insisted that her arm was OK, only bleeding a wee bit, nothing that a good soaking of Dettol couldn't sort.
Later she noticed an open wound on my side, and out came the Dettol again.
How could I have hurt my precious human? She is the world to me.
Back home, I made sure I stayed close by her all evening, giving her cuddles and letting her know that I was so very sorry.
I tried to lick her hurt arm better, but soon understood that this was not appropriate behaviour.
Lying beside her on the sofa, my legs started to tremble and I couldn't stop them, and Gail made a phone call.
Oh dear, I do hope she wasn't arranging for me to be adopted.
I didn't want to want to go out for my late evening comfort walk. I really didn't. I felt scared.
Sunday morning update from Gail: poor Bertie is still very out of sorts this morning, and his side is apparently sore, so we are off to the emergency vet clinic later today.
I know how ya feel Bertie, I accidentally bit my momma dis past January when she wuz breakin up a squabble between me and Finley. I'd say just work on bein extra sweet and cute, I bet Gail will forgive ya. Specially since ya was grabbed by the scruff of da neck. If I wuz ya, I'd just blame Jake. Hopin both you and Gail feel all better soon.
ReplyDeleteOh no, how frightful. We know these things happen so quickly. When one of Pip's friends went for her out of the blue peeps got bit and ended up in hospital and had an operation etc so they could cut her hand all the way down to the bone to clean it. So hope Bertie is OK. Do give us an update. thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
What a tragic thing to happen, Bertie. AND it wasn't even your fault, you were a VICTIM, too.
ReplyDeleteWe're sorry Gail was bitten and VERY sorry you have to go to the Vet!
Sometimes Roxy has a go at Bella--but so far we haven't had any injuries.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteBertie, I do believe you have a bit of a shock delay going on there lad. Not surprising. It would neither be surprising if Gail also - and indeed Jake's ma - are not a bit shaken. Let aunty put her professional persona on for moment;
even the most sweet natured of dogs (and peeps) can act in ways out of character under conditions of extreme stress;
it is well documented that we shall never know ourselves until faced with battle;
survival instinct is the strongest of all and unconscionable actions may result;
you will find that Gail will understand this and forgiveness will come - perhaps if you reassure Gail that, in Celtic tradition, the healing nature of a dog's licks upon wounds is well understood...though of course Dettol is much the better option!
you must allow for Gail's own reaction to this incident and any consequences which may arise.
Humans are always very disappointed when their canines behave in 'antisocial' ways; even the most aware sometimes forget that dogs have a profound social structure of their own and it does not always jibe with that of the human. Signals are often missed or ignored. The humans will have their own healing to do around this.
What you need to remember, dear Bertie, is that Jake will NOT be round every corner or under very bush... he is almost certainly grounded for the foreseeable future.
To help ease the more severe edge of trauma recovery, a dose of Dr Bach's Rescue Remedy is HIGHLY recommended. (Boots stock it, but it should be remembered that it is 'tincture' and should be added to water for consumption... four drops each, once every two hours for the next two days.) This does not in any way interfere with the action of any other drugs which may be prescribed so can very safely be taken.
Oh it is just such a nasty thing to have happened for you all. My heart goes out to you and prayers for healing at all levels. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
ach! Maybe Jake was out of sorts from the recent vote? I think a wee dram of single malt all around should put everyone to rights. Do try to put this behind you and not dwell on it overlong. Perhaps a short walk around the block with Jake will sort everything out. You have a fine terrier spirit and we hope you bounce back to normal very soon.
ReplyDeleteBonnie and Kenzie
We know how bad you feel. We have done this too. We hope the news at the vet is good, and that you take the suggestion about the single malt thingy. Love to you and Gail. And remember "You always hurt the one you love, the one you shouldn't hurt at all."
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it happened in the heat of the moment and I know your Gail will agree. I hope the vet can fix the sore and it heals up quickly. I know it isn't easy when you were attacked by a dog, Bertie, I spent the next day in my wardrobe and I was totally not me that day as it happened to me. Please feel better soon, send you a big hug.... maybe Jake was jealous and therefore he got you on your neck?
ReplyDeleteIt was just a fear reaction Bertie and Gail understands...it sounds like you might be suffering from hock too. The hardest thing you will have to do is face Jake again - that is going to be tough. We sure hope you are both okay.
ReplyDeleteOh, No! That is an awful end to a nice day! I hope you both heal quickly. Those bites are very painful!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this Bertie. Hope you and Gail heal quickly!
ReplyDeleteBertie my sweet little adorable friend ....we are so very very very sorry to read about this event. We hope and purr by the time you and your precious Gail read this you have been checked over and rec'd all the medical attention you need. I know this event has been most traumatic for you as you are a friendly boy...and very social so we hope you aren't frightened too long.
ReplyDeletePlease let us know how you are doing.
Love Madi your bfff
Oh no, Bertie! Of course, Gail forgives you. And I hope you are okay. I hope you don't have an infection. I'm sure Gail's arm is healing and will be fine. Thank goodness you are going to the vet. We're sending pawloads of love.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Tootsie and Renee
Oh Bertie, we feel so terrible for you. We know biting Gail was an accident and are sure she is more worried about you then her arm. We are sending you Power of the
ReplyDeletePaw. hugs
OH NO.... we are SO very much Sorry that you were in such a horrible situation... these things DO happen now and then... and it is really just NO ONE's Fault... More like a Clearing of the Air...
ReplyDeleteWe are MOST SURE that Gail forgives you TOTALLY and has forgotten all about HER wound... Now let us hope that your Dogtor gets you all taken care of and we will put this entire affair.... BEHIND US.
Gosh Bertie, I do hope you are feeling better soon and I'm sure Gail will understand. Don't worry, sending you lots of
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses to make you both feel better
Princess Leah xxx
So sorry this happened to you and Gail. Good dat ya are goin' to da emergency vet cuz dose crush injuries don't bleed much but can often need stitchin'... they may need to excise some of da dead skin on da edges before stitchin' ya up... Sending big prayers fur speedy healin' all 'round.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, I gots attacked by a pitbull mix once in my front yard-- neighbor's dog, came runnin' at me, grabbed me by da neck, and my Dad punted it off-- luckily before it could rip me open. But to dis day, I's a changed pup... I don't like dose pits, pit mixes and will bark like crazee at dem-- only dogs I goes off at... So don't be surprised if Bertie duzn't want anything to do wiff Jake in da future... purdy understandable, ya know?
Dear Bertie and Gail,
ReplyDeleteI am really sorry to hear this sad end to your day. I hope you are both feeling better very very soon. Hilary xxx
Dawling Bewtie..i am so sad o heaw that you and Gail gots huwt..i know you did nuffing wong and am sending my most powewful healing smoochies to you..pleez let me know if I can cum and nuwse you..i love you so much and can't stand the idea of you being huwt..i was in Scotland wif sum pals to help wif the vote..we wewe ao happy that you stayed unoted, but this news makes me cwy. I love you sweet Bewtie wif all my heawt
ReplyDeleteSmoochie kisses
Asta
Oh Bertie, that sounds so very skeery, for you and for Gail! She knows that you didn't meant to bite her at all, it was just a reaction as you tried to get away from Jake. I hope that you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteOh no my dear Bertie. Im so sorry. Now i will be pacing the floor until i hear that you are ok. Let me know ok. I'm sure Gail knows you didnt mean it.
ReplyDeleteWags
Addi
OMD Bertie! This is terrible news. I do hope you are feeling better and that Gail's arm is ok. What a shock!! Thinking of you both. You need lots of cuddles.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, this is terrible! We KNOW you did NOT ma to bite Gail but you were so scared! We hope her arm is better fast and that you don't have any more injuries! This is such a scary event. Mom read somewhere that when this happens the peep should grab the dog by the back legs to separate them. Not sure if that would have worked in this situation. Mom says she would have done the same thing!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Don't know if that would work with a retriever... I know the animal control people told us that if it's a pit, pitbull mix, you have to "stun" them to get them to let go since they lock down and won't release and are so powerful... luckily for us, that is what my hubby did when a loose pitmix grabbed Finley by the neck, he punted the dog off... not sure how to get the retriever to let go... poor Bertie...
DeleteIm commenting on this post after the lost one so forgive me for any redundancies. Poor dear Bertie and poor dear Gail. We have had similar incidents here. Once five years ago Bob, the bulldog, went after Ping, over small piece of fallen tripe, my husband pried them apart and Bob bit him badly on the hand requiring stitches and a trip to the emergency room. Ping was uninjured. I was terrified the hospital would get Bob in trouble for biting my husband but thankfully that wasn't the case. We hired a behaviorist but the upshot was Bob now eats in his crate and we are super careful with treats. ITs one reason why I am hesitant to mix dog sizes in the future because it was super scary. My husband for one would like for us to eventually be an all pug family. It was traumatic but I have basically gotten over it. Its so hard to see our dogs fight and it can happen in the blink of an eye
ReplyDeleteretro rover
Oh my. Gotta admit, we came to this post first ... knowing the one up above has an update. My heart is in my throat and Jake and Oliver know something's up. This just makes me sick, Bertie. I know accidents happen ... but this sounds like a big one ... and a traumatic one. For everyone. I so hope that I'll read some encouraging news in a moment ... and, even more, that you and Gail are beginning to recover. In every respect. In the meantime, we're sending lots of terrier and human love and support and healing wishes. We HATE to think our friends are suffering.
ReplyDeletexx TwoDifferentSpecialWires: Jake and Oliver (and, of course, AngelFergi)