I always walk our dogs after work and yesterday was no different. We have three small dogs and I always take the oldest, Bosco, and the youngest, Sookie, together first and then I take Agnes last. It just works out better that way, till yesterday...
We were about halfway through our walk when I see a young woman walking a very large Rottie. The dog weighed more than the woman. I saw them first, they were across the street from us, then my dogs saw them. Bosco, being a Dachshund, wanted to go get the other dog and started pulling in that direction. Right about that time the Rottie looked over and saw us. He just glanced at my dogs and then went about his business. I was a bit relieved at that. Just at that moment the woman bent down to tie her shoe and instead of holding onto the Rot's leash, she stepped on it. I had a moment of panic and then the Rot looked over at my dogs and was across the street in a flash. Bosco saw him coming and got ready to meet him.
Bosco is 14lbs and the Rot is at least 120lbs. Bosco was ready (not that it mattered) the Rot was too. I tried to get in between them but it was no good. The Rot grabbed Bosco by the back of her neck and started shaking her. I grabbed the Rot by the scruff of the neck with one hand and I punched it as hard as I could with the other. I don't know how many times I punched the damned thing, I'm not sure if the dog even felt it. The woman was trying to help at this point and I accidently punched her, knocking her over. The Rot finally let go but the damage was done. I wish that I didn't have to see what I saw at that point. Bosco's back was laid open from the base of her neck to the middle of her back. She was bleeding badly and so was I, nothing like she was though. It seems that I got bit at some point.
There were lots of people around us by now and they all wanted to help. One man had a bunch of towels and helped me wrap Bosco up, he then offered to drive me home. His wife took Sookie and walked her to my house. Being after hours our normal vet was closed. After my wife made some calls we found out that the closest emergency animal hospital was 30 miles away. I drove like a mad man and we made it to the hospital. After taking a quick look the vet didn't think that the prognosis looked very good. We spent a couple of hours there before telling Bosco goodbye and we went home. We didn't know if we'd see her again or not.
I just got off the phone with the vet and the prognosis is looking better today. Bosco will have to be transferred to our own local vet this morning; we have to pick her up at 7:30.
The woman who owns the Rot, not the one walking it, told me that they will pay all the vet bills. I had to put down a $600 deposit when we left the hospital.
Please pray for Bosco. She still has a long road to recovery.