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Friday, April 17 Thank you Dove Lewis, Ron,God and Ivey for your Strength

April 17th, 2009 Posted in Daily News Post

A huge title for a big evening last night.  Such beautiful weather deserved a moment to celebrate.  Tired as my feet were, upon arriving home I asked Chloe if she wanted to take Ivey on a dogwalk.  “Nah” was her reply.  I replied to her that I would take Ivey for a quick jaunt.  Chloe took only a sec to decide she would join us.

Yesterday was Sandy’s birthday(my sister) and It was in our plans to phone her once I picked Colin up from play practice at his school.(he is on the crew of Bye Bye Birdie)

We placed a green bean casserole in the oven on low and we took foot.  Ivey was alight with pleasure and ready to go!  Our walk is one I know so well . I often took my other two “jacks”(terriers from years past) on this same walk.  Chloe had the reins and Ivey was going along quite well.  Oddly, It occured to me a memory of an event that occured some 15 yrs ago I think with my other two dogs.  Chloe , Ivey and I were walking down the same street this had occured on, a street I’ve taken Ivey on for YEARS.  Somehow, this memory was vivid enough that I mentioned it. 

We spoke to a woman who seemed to know us.  Chloe confirmed this womans daughter goes to her same school.  We spoke about our dogs.  We walked on………………..

…..in an instant, a quiet moment that I perhaps will never write about again, the air stopped, the silence beckoned into something big.   Three large dogs were rushing us.  I saw them.  I froze before realizing their intention.  Chloe had Ivey on leash and I knew fear was in my face. Barking is one thing.  Biting and attacking is quite another.  Two big dogs went after Ivey simultaneously;they were   biting her back end and dragging her.  Chloe tells me now and this is etched into her memory.  “You were screaming mama”.  I confirm this, trying to take over as the “Alpha” in an out of control group. 

My mind told me that Chloe was about to witness something a child never needs to have a memory of.  This was my last thought before throwing myself onto Ivey in the middle of the street and screaming at Chloe to back away.  Ivey, at first stood her ground but became unbearably quiet after the two dogs were dragging her. 

The woman who owns the dogs was horrified but not able to do much.  She was yelling instructions to me to get ivey in the air….at some point,when her dogs let go, I did. 

I was injured too.  Roadburn, arm and hand stuff.  I didn’t feel it for awhile.  Chloe and I cried and ambled our way home.  I carried Ivey and we searched for wounds.  None were open, gash’s.  I was so grateful.  One of the dogs was still on the loose and ‘rushing’ us as we went home.  The owner was unable to gain control.

Chloe was calm.  Calm before the emotional ‘storm’.  We made it home, I phoned our vet whose office was about to close and they were all headed to a lecture.  They urged us to go to Dove Lewis, a 24 hr ER for animals.(yes I know it well)

Ron was in WIlsonville at our church testing his computer for the upcoming Dave Ramsey, Town Hall for Hope…..talk about timing.  I phoned him to help me calm down enough so I could drive to Dove Lewis.  I still needed to pick Colin up at his school.  Ron decided to come over and drive us.  Again, he was there in the moment  and AT a moments notice.  Nothing else mattered.  I think he realized I was injured enough, emotionally as well as physically that it was safer for him to drive. 

We all took Ivey to Dove Lewis.  Ivey had been showing signs of stress at home; she was hiding under Chloe’s bed.  We couldn’t see the extent of her injury although we weren’t seeing any bleeding. They shaved the area of abrasion and in fact , no punture wounds were found.(Isnt this amazing). 

Turns out, Ivey was one lucky, lucky girl.  She suffered abrasions, trauma and is probably very sore.  We have her on pain meds and keeping her laying low. 

Chloe and I are having what I call, “flashbacking”.   It doesn’t serve us, but we are trying to work out the emotional side, so leave us alone a bit on this, k?  (I mean this with affection , world)

For chloe , she spoke also about what may have occured to me, in FRONT of her(had the dog’s gone for me, rather than Ivey).  This is complex at best.

I can tell you this.  The family with the 3 dogs had been struggling with ‘rehoming’ one of the dogs and with this instance, they knew it was time.  This dog needed to be in a one dog home.  We feel for this family, who gave away their dog today.  I feel sad for that.  I also feel FEAR around big dogs right now.  I just do.  I’ve been shaken.  I wasn’t sure how to save a life this time.  I remember throwing my arm out to make Chloe go away so I could be on top of Ivey.  Ivey looked so little and vulnerable under the wrath of barking, biting and noise(my screaming/chloe screaming).  For me this seems big.  To know that I understood clearly Chloe’s strength in that moment and I was ok to protect Ivey. 

We ended the evening as we intended it.  We phoned Sandy to sing Happy Birthday to her (in Canada).  She discussed how I may remember her birthday being linked to a dog attack.  I told her no, I don’t think so.  I will remember her birthday as HERS as we felt so grateful for ALL who were in place last night to help us….Our vet, Ron Earp, Dove lewis Animal Hospital, Ron for getting us there safely and Ivey, who just understands her work here isnt done.

Sometimes, a quiet Thursday evening can bring a new understanding….even if it means turning your world upside down and putting FEAR IN YOUR FACE! 

I didn’t sleep last night.  Guess I am human after all and what could have been was visiting, in place of what actually happened.

Can you relate?

Be grateful for everything. 

Dana, the alpha

P.S The green bean casserole stayed forgotten in the oven overnight(we turned it off just before leaving for Dove Lewis) and the only other dog attack I have been involved in, occured on that SAME street….within 3 houses of ea other, 15 or so years apart.   Colin reminded me that last year when he took ivey on a walk, a pit bull and another large dog rolled Ivey and he was freaked out….we went looking for those owners but never found them.  Yeah, Ivey…..you are a trooper.  Again, Those dogs were all OFFLEASH that attacked.