When the Dog Bites...

Two weeks ago today, my hand was injured. I’m uncomfortable telling people what happened, because it makes my best friend look bad.

The truth is, Neo, my beloved dog is getting old. See, you’re jumping to conclusions already, aren’t you? No, his mind is still fully functional, although his body is starting to give out. He has lost most of his hearing; his vision is cloudy; and he has arthritis and hip dysplasia to the point where he often requires help getting up, as well as some assistance in walking.

Of all the dogs we have had, Neo has always been the Alpha. He has been the largest, I have had him the longest, and, well, he has simply established himself as “Top Dog”. There have been a few skirmishes over the years, but nothing major.

Lately though, Scamp (who is slightly over half Neo’s size and four years younger) has been sensing Neo’s decline in strength and mobility and also feeling some jealousy due to the extra attention Neo receives. Scamp has begun to occasionally challenge him for the alpha position. And he doesn’t fight quite fair. He comes up growling behind Neo, who can’t hear him; gets the side of Neo’s neck and latches on. He is always situated so that Neo can do nothing to him, and my poor old dog usually ends up with several bloody spots on his ear, not to mention the despondence of being emasculated. The first time it happened, he refused to eat for about a day afterward. He later regained his spirit, and still does what he can to show his dominance, but loses whenever there is a challenge.

I love this dog; I can’t just sit and watch him get chewed up. The first couple of times it happened, I was able to get Scamp to let go by lifting up his back legs. When that didn’t work any longer, I began to have success in prying the smaller dog’s jaws apart, while simultaneously squeezing his mouth. That particular maneuver is what I was trying to accomplish on the day I got hurt. I had been at it for a good minute or two, with no success.

It all happened so quickly I don’t really know the details. I recall worrying that I was going to be late for work. I also remember that my back was sticky with sweat, and I very rarely perspire; even when I’m extremely hot. The next thing I knew, I heard a snarl, and my wrist had been pierced in two places by large, angry dog fangs. Apparently, Neo had had enough, and decided to lash out at Scamp (who was unscathed through the whole thing). Stunned, I jumped back and yelled, “Neo! That was ME!” I remember noticing that my wrist was swollen to the point that it looked as though there was a golf ball under my skin. I was thinking I was going to have to bandage it really good for work. 

I think I remember Scamp letting go right about then, but Neo immediately snarled at him, causing him to latch right back on. Okay, I’ll admit, I’m obviously not the sharpest crayon in the box… I knelt back down and seized Scamp’s mouth once again. I don’t know if my presence gave Neo courage or if he just saw movement in front of his face and assumed it was Scamp. At any rate, the next think I knew, my left hand was in Neo’s mouth. He not only bit hard, but he shook my hand around as though it was a rag doll, all the while thinking that the young whippersnapper who was trying to take his title was finally getting what he deserved.

I don’t remember how I finally got my hand loose; I assume he felt the lesson had been learned and let go, even though Scamp still had him. Looking at the two deep gashes in my hand, I finally got a clue and abandoned my efforts to stop the one-sided brawl. I wrapped my hand in towels and woke Roger. He came in the kitchen, used his “dad voice”, and Scamp immediately let go and lay down. And yes, I did decide that next time I will use a broom, or throw water or something.

As mentioned, I hate telling the story, because I don’t want people to think I have a mean dog, or an old dog who is losing it and needs to be gotten rid of. He had no idea he bit me. In fact, the next day, I was petting him and he happened to catch a whiff of blood under the bandages. He gently sniffed the area, and looked up at me with question and concern in his eyes, “How did you get hurt, Mom? When did this happen?”

I will admit, though, I’m more careful now. I usually bring food and water to Neo wherever he is laying, because it’s so hard for him to get up. If another of the dogs comes near while he is eating or drinking, I now make sure my hands are out of the way. Things like that, which never would have occurred to me before with my gentle dog. 

For a few days, I had to resort to asking for help from people. Roger has had to help me with numerous things, and either my mother-in-law or my daughter-in-law has been putting my hair into a ponytail just about every day. And thank goodness for stretchy pants and flip flops!

Although my hand is still healing, I’m now to the point where I can do most things for myself and wear pants with a zipper and button. I’ll be off work for a little longer, but I have to admit, I am enjoying my days. I have even made a few bucks freelancing. 

Best of all, I know God is in control. No matter what life dishes out or how disastrous it seems to me, He knew it was coming and prepared for it. I really love being His child.

Still my best friend