Dog bite wounds

A Sunday morning walk with my dogs, Casey and Bailey started as usual. Both miniature schnauzers get excited when their harnesses come out. Bailey doesn't like her's but tolerates it. Then it's out the door and off we go running for the first several yards until something smells good enough to stop for. We follow the same route most days trying to avoid other dogs. Casey and Bailey both bark at other dogs when they see them. I was thinking how nice that almost no one else was out walking their dog this morning.

Three houses from home I saw a neighbor, Brenda, at her mailbox with her two larger dogs. One of her dogs saw mine, barked, and tried to come across the street. I kept my dogs obscured by standing behind a parked car. Brenda got control of her dogs with both leashes firmly in hand and told me it was OK to pass. As soon as Casey and Bailey saw the other dogs they started barking as they always do. I urged them to run to keep the time short but noticed the neighbor's aggressive dog running towards us. The dog ran past, turned, and attacked the much smaller Bailey. I managed to get the dogs separated as the owner reached us. The separation was brief and Bailey was attacked again and held down. The owner, Brenda, wrapped her arms around her dog while I tried pulling on the collar. It took a lot of effort but we separated the dogs and I gathered Bailey in my arms and took her away with Casey in tow.

It is a terrible feeling to see your dog attacked and not be able to stop it. Sadness overwhelmed me even as I struggled to separated the dogs. On the way back to the house I was relieved to find Bailey's wounds did not appear severe. Once safely in my side yard, I set bailey down and removed the harnesses. Bailey seemed OK but a vet visit was called for. Brenda, the dog owned arrived, apologized, said the leash broke, and expressed her concern for Bailey's welfare. Soon after I took Bailey to an emergency clinic where she was cared for. She came home with a shaved chest, stitches, and medicines. Now she just needs time and sympathy. I am relieved that Bailey will be OK, but sad that our neighborhood seems a little less safe.

Bailey at Rest