AmberGretchen
Ideal_Rock
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Dust for my Lhasa!!
- Thread starter librarychickie
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DMBsGirl
Brilliant_Rock
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librarychickie
Shiny_Rock
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UPDATE --
I picked Maddie up and brought her home this evening. My knees buckled when I saw her. The initial shock and all... I was not prepared for the carnage (for lack of a better word). The vet had to remove about a 1.5" by 1.5" section of skin under her little chin. She has two plastic buttons holding the skin to the bone under her chin. Where the necrosis was is now just bare muscle. That was the worst. The vet says that we''re just going to keep it clean and disease free for the next two to three weeks, which will allow as much skin as is going to to grow back. Once she''s healed from this initial round, then, we''ll take her to a vet school (probably Texas A&M) for skin grafts.
The vet said this is much, much worse for me than for her. As horrible as her face looks, she''s just running around here like she always has. She keeps looking at me and asking me "Why are you looking at me so funny for?" It''s like she doesn''t even realize there''s something terribly wrong. Well, except for the fact that she''s wearing one of those funny looking collars. She''s going to have to adjust to it, but it''s a good thing she has it on. She''s tried to scratch her wound several times! Argh!!
She was a mess -- tangled hair, blood on her hair, and just the gross smell of the hospital. The vet said it would be good for her to get a bath and get cleaned up, so that''s what I''m going to do tonight. I''ve already brushed out her hair (she fell asleep!), and I''ve cut away some excess hair that was matted and goopy from the wound.
I''m still shaking. I''m so happy to have her home. Now, we''ve got a few months of recovery ahead of us, but she certainly seems willing and able.
I cannot thank you all enough for your kind words, prayers, and thoughts. They truly mean so much to me. Please continue to pray for Maddie''s recovery.
I will try to take some pictures of her tonight.
~LC
I picked Maddie up and brought her home this evening. My knees buckled when I saw her. The initial shock and all... I was not prepared for the carnage (for lack of a better word). The vet had to remove about a 1.5" by 1.5" section of skin under her little chin. She has two plastic buttons holding the skin to the bone under her chin. Where the necrosis was is now just bare muscle. That was the worst. The vet says that we''re just going to keep it clean and disease free for the next two to three weeks, which will allow as much skin as is going to to grow back. Once she''s healed from this initial round, then, we''ll take her to a vet school (probably Texas A&M) for skin grafts.
The vet said this is much, much worse for me than for her. As horrible as her face looks, she''s just running around here like she always has. She keeps looking at me and asking me "Why are you looking at me so funny for?" It''s like she doesn''t even realize there''s something terribly wrong. Well, except for the fact that she''s wearing one of those funny looking collars. She''s going to have to adjust to it, but it''s a good thing she has it on. She''s tried to scratch her wound several times! Argh!!
She was a mess -- tangled hair, blood on her hair, and just the gross smell of the hospital. The vet said it would be good for her to get a bath and get cleaned up, so that''s what I''m going to do tonight. I''ve already brushed out her hair (she fell asleep!), and I''ve cut away some excess hair that was matted and goopy from the wound.
I''m still shaking. I''m so happy to have her home. Now, we''ve got a few months of recovery ahead of us, but she certainly seems willing and able.
I cannot thank you all enough for your kind words, prayers, and thoughts. They truly mean so much to me. Please continue to pray for Maddie''s recovery.
I will try to take some pictures of her tonight.
~LC
coatimundi_org
Ideal_Rock
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Deelight
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movie zombie
Super_Ideal_Rock
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so glad your little one is back home!
if you haven''t done so already, call the police and make a report. that dog is dangerous and if it ever shows up loose again, it needs to be picked up. also, can you do something to your fence so that another animal cannot get its nose and teeth through it?
movie zombie
if you haven''t done so already, call the police and make a report. that dog is dangerous and if it ever shows up loose again, it needs to be picked up. also, can you do something to your fence so that another animal cannot get its nose and teeth through it?
movie zombie
E B
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Kaleigh
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librarychickie
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Yes, I filed a police report that evening. I have also installed chicken wire on the inside of the fence, so nothing can come through the chain links.
I''m NOT having a good night. I got her cleaned up and looked more closely at it. I''m losing it. I haven''t stopped bawling for the past couple of hours.
I won''t post the most graphic photo, but here''s one of her.
Kaleigh
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Deelight
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Awww poor little trooper, she still looks adorable though lots of love and attention she will be right in no time.
I don''t know how high your fences are but you might want to look at doing some wire strings (probably about 3) above our fence so no dogs can climb over. Our dog was a climber and this was the only thing that stopped him as the dogs can''t get a grip and it won''t support their weight.
I don''t know how high your fences are but you might want to look at doing some wire strings (probably about 3) above our fence so no dogs can climb over. Our dog was a climber and this was the only thing that stopped him as the dogs can''t get a grip and it won''t support their weight.
Linda W
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SarahLovesJS
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decodelighted
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risingsun
Ideal_Rock
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movie zombie
Super_Ideal_Rock
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she has such love in her eyes! she does not appear to be in pain: the vet was right, its worse on you right now. please please please love yourself right now: hold her in your arms and keep crying untiil you can''t cry anymore. she''ll understand....
good re the report and the chicken wire. i''d keep a baseball bat near by though just in case.
i think she''s beautiful!
movie zombie
blondebunny
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omg i am so sorry... tears come to my eyes as i read everything 
I really hope you find whoevers dog that is and make them pay for it atleast...
I can only imagine how you feel... i cried for an hour when my kitties tail got slammed in the door by my FI (by accident) and u could see he broke it and it was just limping... i just bailed for her.. i was soo sad....
Dust to you doggie.. I hope she has fast and good recovery!
I really hope you find whoevers dog that is and make them pay for it atleast...I can only imagine how you feel... i cried for an hour when my kitties tail got slammed in the door by my FI (by accident) and u could see he broke it and it was just limping... i just bailed for her.. i was soo sad....
Dust to you doggie.. I hope she has fast and good recovery!
Apsara
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I am so thrilled to read of her progress. And she is so beautiful--boo boo and all. You are a wonderful mommy to her--with every touch, she can feel your love for her.
She will heal and you will be okay. Dogs are so wonderful. They can lose an eye, limb, etc., but they don''t care! they aren''t burdened by human vanity and self consciousness. Your heart hurts because you see her wounds and worry she must feel badly but she is just happy to be home with you.
I also agree you should make a police report.
She will heal and you will be okay. Dogs are so wonderful. They can lose an eye, limb, etc., but they don''t care! they aren''t burdened by human vanity and self consciousness. Your heart hurts because you see her wounds and worry she must feel badly but she is just happy to be home with you.
I also agree you should make a police report.
princesss
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librarychickie
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Today was horrible! Not for Maddie, but for me. I literally boo-hoo''d all day.
I called the vet today to get a better understanding of her recovery process. He says she will have at least two more surgeries and a few months of recovery. That just broke my heart!! I asked him if I should just put her down to avoid the stress and pain on her (and me), and his response that if she was his dog, he wouldn''t. So, I take that as a positive sign. I guess.
The thought of her having to suffer for any longer than she has to just pains me. My husband and I were able to webcam tonight, and we were both boo-hoo''ing.
This whole ordeal has literally made every nerve in my body raw. She''s just as perky as she always is, which makes it hard to come to a decision.
I pray that she makes a speedy recovery.
This is so hard!
I called the vet today to get a better understanding of her recovery process. He says she will have at least two more surgeries and a few months of recovery. That just broke my heart!! I asked him if I should just put her down to avoid the stress and pain on her (and me), and his response that if she was his dog, he wouldn''t. So, I take that as a positive sign. I guess.
The thought of her having to suffer for any longer than she has to just pains me. My husband and I were able to webcam tonight, and we were both boo-hoo''ing.
This whole ordeal has literally made every nerve in my body raw. She''s just as perky as she always is, which makes it hard to come to a decision.
I pray that she makes a speedy recovery.
This is so hard!
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Librarychickie, You have to take a few minutes to breathe and calm down. When you do, you''ll realize that you are projecting your anxiety and notions of what she is feeling onto her. She knows she is the same cute loving pooch she was before the accident and has given you VERY clear signs that she wants to live and is not as traumatized by the incident as you may think she is. One of my dogs tore the throat out of his brother who nearly bled out in front of me. When I first saw him after the vet did the initial clean up I passed out in the exam room. I was so very angry at the offender that I wanted to kill him with my bare hands and I was wracked by guilt because of those feelings and because I believe I failed in some way to protect them both. Over time, I came to realize that dogs will be dogs and occasionally their pack behavior surfaces in ways that are difficult for us to cope with. The other dog endured several surgeries and pulled through and they went on to live a long life together as best buds. Just try to remember that dogs have ways different from us for handling these things. Take it one step and one day at a time. She obviously wants to live and I hope you let her.
Hugs to you.
Hugs to you.
Linda W
Super_Ideal_Rock
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LC, Please do not put Maddie down. Please believe me when I say, she will recover. You will be so surprised just how fast our beloved pets recover.
I was so surprised at our fast our Lhasa Mazie recovered. In just 2 weeks she acted like nothing ever happened to her. I know Maddie will do the same thing. I know this is very hard on you and your husband right now and she does face more surgeries.
You stated she is as perky as she always is. You can bet she will be that way after her following surgeries. She loves you and we know you both love her. Please let her live. Please do not put her down, just because she faces more surgeries. She WILL survive them believe me.
Linda
I was so surprised at our fast our Lhasa Mazie recovered. In just 2 weeks she acted like nothing ever happened to her. I know Maddie will do the same thing. I know this is very hard on you and your husband right now and she does face more surgeries.
You stated she is as perky as she always is. You can bet she will be that way after her following surgeries. She loves you and we know you both love her. Please let her live. Please do not put her down, just because she faces more surgeries. She WILL survive them believe me.
Linda
Kaleigh
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movie zombie
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putting her down to ease your distress will actually increase your guilt....by TONS. the love and adoration in that dog''s eyes, the way she sits, all tell me she''s not anywhere ready to go join my cats in pet heaven. if it was an option, your vet would have told you so when you first took her in. please Please PLEASE just hold her and love her. she''s still the same dog...maybe not as pretty in your eyes but in my eyes she''s gorgeous. she loves you with your faults, love her with hers.....beauty is only skin deep. her heart just shines from her eyes!
yes, its hard to see your baby hurt. but love isn''t always easy and sometimes we have to go through the hard times to get back to the good times. putting her down now would only be because you don''t want to look at her. you''ve rec''d assurances she''s not in pain. you''ll never forgive yourself if you do it.
if you were just venting and not really considering putting her down, please excuse the above .......
movie zombie
yes, its hard to see your baby hurt. but love isn''t always easy and sometimes we have to go through the hard times to get back to the good times. putting her down now would only be because you don''t want to look at her. you''ve rec''d assurances she''s not in pain. you''ll never forgive yourself if you do it.
if you were just venting and not really considering putting her down, please excuse the above .......
movie zombie
decodelighted
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I know you''re upset right now and considering all your options. Just wanted to say that I TRULY BELIEVE that the worst is O-V-E-R. She''ll look & feel better & better. If finances are an issues please reach out to a Lhasa rescue group & see if there''s anything they can do -- or even put out the word to people who would be able to donate to a surgery fund etc. Your story is very compelling and I''m SURE folks would want to help.
You''re still in shock ... its only been 24-48 hrs that she''s been home & you''ve been up close to the physicality of the injury. Your reaction will *dull* with time. It won''t always feel this awful! I PROMISE. You''ll get used to it just like she has & you''ll focus more & more on her spunky attitude & will to live!
You''re still in shock ... its only been 24-48 hrs that she''s been home & you''ve been up close to the physicality of the injury. Your reaction will *dull* with time. It won''t always feel this awful! I PROMISE. You''ll get used to it just like she has & you''ll focus more & more on her spunky attitude & will to live!
mia1181
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You know, my dog drags his hind legs when he walks and sometimes falls and can''t get up without a ton of effort. It''s horrible to look at and just completely embarrassing for others to see. Whenever someone sees him they cringe and then comment about putting him to sleep. It''s really hard and I''d be lying if I said the thought hadn''t crossed my mind. But when it comes down to it, it''s really just a cosmetic thing. In my dog''s case he is in NO pain and has TONS of spunk. He''s so happy and completely clueless about the way he looks. So what can I do? I can''t put him down because it looks horrible, in my mind that just isn''t a good enough reason. I would only put my dog down if he was suffering and had a low quality of life.
Now I don''t know if your Maddie is in any pain. But if she is, it probably won''t be for long. Can she eat on her own? It really seems like she is not suffering and still has a good quality of life. If you say that she is still her spunky self, then I think she is going to be okay. It really was horrible and you are probably still very traumatized by it all, but the point is she is still alive! She is a survivor for sure.
Now I don''t know if your Maddie is in any pain. But if she is, it probably won''t be for long. Can she eat on her own? It really seems like she is not suffering and still has a good quality of life. If you say that she is still her spunky self, then I think she is going to be okay. It really was horrible and you are probably still very traumatized by it all, but the point is she is still alive! She is a survivor for sure.
Apsara
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Oh no--PLEASE do not put this animal down. What a shame and waste of a beautiful life this would be. I have had VERY ill dogs in my life--and you''re right--it''s HORRIBLE on us humans.... I was a wreck all the time--and I''ll share with you that I had moments where I thought, "Oh, maybe it would just be easier to gently put him to sleep vs. waiting like this..."
Want to know what the key factor was for me and my husband? the DOG''s quality of life--and we were talking about dogs with terrible cancers here--not a traumatic injury with a favorable prognosis... So i KNEW my dogs were dying... But they--thankfully--had a VERY high quality of life right up until the day their little bodies failed. So, if Maddie is happy and spunky then PLEASE don''t even think about putting her down.
Gosh--if you want to do that I''ll take her... I have two rescued Lhasas now that are the joy of our lives, and we nursed them back from death after they were abandoned.
This is a precious life that cannot be replaced. I know you''ll do the right thing. God bless.
Want to know what the key factor was for me and my husband? the DOG''s quality of life--and we were talking about dogs with terrible cancers here--not a traumatic injury with a favorable prognosis... So i KNEW my dogs were dying... But they--thankfully--had a VERY high quality of life right up until the day their little bodies failed. So, if Maddie is happy and spunky then PLEASE don''t even think about putting her down.
Gosh--if you want to do that I''ll take her... I have two rescued Lhasas now that are the joy of our lives, and we nursed them back from death after they were abandoned.
This is a precious life that cannot be replaced. I know you''ll do the right thing. God bless.
librarychickie
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Update...
Yes, yesterday was a horrible day. In the evening, she finally settled down and rested while I stayed with her on the couch. Last night, I cleaned everything up really well, and she cuddled up as close as she could to me all night. She only got up once to get a drink, but then, she came right back where she was -- right under my shoulder. She licked my hand and went back to sleep. It''s like she knows how I''m feeling, and she''s doing everything she can to make me feel better. Gosh, I love her!
She didn''t even start to stir when I thought her pain meds should be wearing off, which is a great sign for me! I have worried so much that she''s in pain.
She even seems to be adjusting to the collar.
When two vets have told me that if she was their dog, they wouldn''t put her down, I have to believe there''s a reason. I cannot think of any animal lover who would purposely put an animal through pain if he didn''t think very positively about the outcome, right?
Again, thank you for all the encouraging comments. They really mean a lot to me.
LC
Yes, yesterday was a horrible day. In the evening, she finally settled down and rested while I stayed with her on the couch. Last night, I cleaned everything up really well, and she cuddled up as close as she could to me all night. She only got up once to get a drink, but then, she came right back where she was -- right under my shoulder. She licked my hand and went back to sleep. It''s like she knows how I''m feeling, and she''s doing everything she can to make me feel better. Gosh, I love her!
She didn''t even start to stir when I thought her pain meds should be wearing off, which is a great sign for me! I have worried so much that she''s in pain.
She even seems to be adjusting to the collar.
When two vets have told me that if she was their dog, they wouldn''t put her down, I have to believe there''s a reason. I cannot think of any animal lover who would purposely put an animal through pain if he didn''t think very positively about the outcome, right?
Again, thank you for all the encouraging comments. They really mean a lot to me.
LC
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