Jen tried to shield our terrified dog’s face from a possible deathblow and in doing so suffered a reactionary bite from Guinness on the leg.
The owner of the pit bull, a heavy-set woman in her thirties with blonde hair in a ponytail, seemed not to care about what happened and walked away without giving any information when asked. She did state that her she was not from Malden but that her mother, who lives on Clifton Street in Malden, didn’t want the dog on a (expletive) leash.
The pit bull had a predominantly dark brown face with a splash of white between her eyes. Her body was white with brown patches. She wore a red harness. We filed a police report related to the attack.
Jen carried our bleeding dog the block or so home. She was surprised to see the woman and her pit bull walking past our house and towards the end of the dead end street. She again asked for a name and address but the woman refused. The woman then kicked her own dog in the head and body as punishment. She walked toward a house at the end of the street and stopped outside.
Our dog was in terrible shape and whimpering. Guinness was bleeding profusely from multiple, gaping wounds.
Jen was worried that they may be fatal. She made the correct decision to seek immediate medical attention for the dog and then herself. It was not easy at first to locate an open animal hospital on a holiday weekend. After a couple of phone calls, she found the Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital in Woburn was open. She called me and I rushed to meet her there. I called Jen’s parents, Rick and Carol, and they came by for support as well.
Our dog required surgery to stitch the torn flesh back on both exteriors of her hips and the interior of one as well. While Guinness was under the Vet’s care, I took Jen to nearby Winchester Hospital to attend to her leg bite. We returned around 11 p.m.; Guinness was out of surgery but still under anesthesia.
A staff member told us that she had lost so much blood that her body temperature was low and they were raising it. Her body was being warmed with blankets and heated with warm air. They also warned us not to get too upset at her appearance since the affects of the anesthesia was wearing off and she would be out of it. We entered the room where she was recovering. Some other poor creature let out a sound like a squeaky wheel; we were led to where Guinness was.
Her head was twitching erratically bouncing around in a plastic protective cone. It was difficult to see her convulsing as if her head was on a swivel. We each gave her a gentle pat on the head and offered her words of love and encouragement. I was so glad to see her alive but so heartbroken that she had been attacked so viciously.
The next morning, we returned to bring her home. She seemed confused when a nurse walked her out but once she saw us, her tail wagged and she made her way toward us as best she could. My heart soared and my eyes welled up.
She is a survivor and I am proud of her. She looked so sad the first day home and in such pain. She made moaning sounds I have never heard from her. The wounds are being left open for a couple days so an abscess does not occur. She has a tube in each hip to drain the buildup of blood.
In the almost year since we adopted her, she has always loved to run in our yard, to sniff and roll around in the grass. She had bounded out as quickly as she can. She is lightning-fast. She can make a turn on a dime. I attribute that to the Italian Greyhound lineage of the Min Pin Breed.
When I take her out in the yard over the last couple of days, I carry her all the way then place her gingerly on the grass. She stands ramrod straight not sure of what to do, this can go on for minutes. I know the physical wounds will heal in time; the stitches will be taken out. My concern is that he emotional wounds will remain. The memory of the attack, the helplessness, the pain of the large jaws locked on her pulling her flesh apart will overwhelm her.
I feel horrible that Jen had to witness this brutal attack but ever so happy that the pit bull did not turn on her as well when she tried to protect our little dog. We both had dogs as children but Jen and I could never imagine the bond we feel for Guinness. She has been a joy and I am glad she is still with us. Things could have been a lot worse.
Even as I try to type this now, Guinness is coming up to me at the computer with big eyes centered in the plastic circle around her head, her nub of a tail wagging.
I have placed her favorite cozy blanket at my feet so she could settle on it. I have to stop typing once in a while to comfort her, to give her a little pat for my own sake as much as hers. I have finally quieted her by letting her lay on my bare foot as I type.
We named her Guinness since she is pint-sized, black and tan and takes a while to settle properly. Before the attack, she had an independent streak, now she clings to either Jen’s or my side, wanting attention and protection. Guinness is fully vaccinated. We have no idea what the medical history of the pit bull is. She will get an additional rabies booster to be sure she is not infected. By state law, Guinness must remain isolated inside our property for 45 days. We will keep her safe, we will love her and she will heal.
She will be inside, but the unleashed pit bull who aimed to kill her, who was bred to do so, and the callous owner who walked away from her obligation as a dog owner, her obligation as a very human being; they are both still out there. She is a woman without decency or remorse. Next time, there could be another pet or a small child that crosses their path unknowingly. I hope it will not happen again - but fear that it will.
(My Fox Boston - July 6, 2011)
