Three weeks I have been silent on my blog after a traumatic event. Today, I attempt to return to work (at my desk anyway). I want to get you caught up - so - I go online and see the last post on my blog was about my "Soul's Purpose" and my desire to create healing art in hospitals. Uncanny and extra meaningful to see that post today having done some hospital time myself recently. I am going to borrow from the few Facebook posts I managed while under-the-weather and place them below in a journal update for you.
JUNE 13
Tala was viciously attacked by a large dog yesterday. Scary intense. Full of morphine after our visit to the vet (they cleaned and put a drain into the deep wound) Tala slept in my lap while I drove slowly, gently up the dirt road home. Last 24 hours were rough but she's already showing a bit of her spunk and will be fine.
JUNE 14
Tala convalescing after the BIG scary dog attack. She's sporting a bandana (my style idea of extra protection to cover the drain in the wound on her neck). The sock is just to keep her from scratching and ripping the drain out. She's on the rode to recovery.
JUNE 15
Tala loves her bed privileges while convalescing, I can monitor her and she gets to feel like a queen beneath the canopy. She had her most restful night of sleep since the attack and is bouncing back to her joyful self.
JUNE 17
Tala's paw is on my arm comforting me in this selfie taken Monday upon my return from ER after being attacked by 3 pit bulls. Monday morning after a low-key weekend vigil caring for Tala and her injury, a girl friend joined me for a road ride up East River Road past Chico. Five minutes into our ride I was viciously attacked by 3 pit bulls in the road in front of the residence that used to be the Wanigan store. Luckily my friend survived unscathed but I am on crutches, full of gratitude that the 100 + pound pit bull that sunk its teeth deep into my calf with a horrifying full-jaw-gripping bite did not succeed in yanking me off my bike since all 3 dogs were attacking me at once. If the pit bull had pulled me off the bike I would have been on the ground beneath all three attacking dogs. The momentum of my feet clipped into my road bike pedals ripped my leg loose from the dog's jaw on my right leg. The dog incessantly charging the front of my bike moved to the side aiming for the leg caught in the biggest dog's mouth while the other pit bull jumped and snapped at my left shin. Thank goodness I am a strong, athletic and seasoned biker. Thank goodness my petite friend was safely ahead of me yelling "Keep pedalling!! Keep pedaling!!" Thank goodness it wasn't a family with children out riding a public scenic road on a beautiful morning.
JUNE 19 - (posted by Raymond)
The bite wounds are beginning to heal but the infection running up her leg has Amber back in the hospital where they will be keeping her overnight. She is on heavy antibiotics in hopes of keeping it in control.
JUNE 20
Guess I will get settled into hospital life since Dr wants me on another 24 hours of IV antibiotics. Feeling much better than yesterday. Not used to spending the longest days of the year inside but I get to dive into William Hjortsberg's latest assuredly brilliant romp "Mañana." Raymond bought the book as a gift for me yesterday after Marc at Elk River Books assured him "although the book has violence it doesn't have any dog violence..."
JUNE 23
Lotsa love and color brightened days spent in the hospital. Home now, I'm sporting a bandage the same color as the princess crown. Thank you for sharing beauty from your garden Joanne Gardner !! Love my new soft jammies Deirdre and Robin!!! Thank you Audrey, Linda,Raymond and the rest of you sweeties who spoiled me along with all the good energy I felt, saw and received from so many. Blown away. On the mend. Itching to tag a summit when I can...!
JULY 6
A friend on Facebook said, "It's got to be a major crisis in faith or belief for someone who loves animals as much as you do to be attacked by one..."
My reply: "I don't think I've lost faith or belief in animals but I do feel like I've lost something. I think if it had been just one dog I wouldn't feel "broken." The pack mentality certainly added a level of horror hard to explain. I am still processing; determined to feel what comes up and move forward. If I don't find what I lost, maybe I'll find something better..."