For all you cat haters out there - write this one down. Due to a cuddly (weaselly) , little (pip-squeak), soft (greasy) Dachshund, Emma had to make a trip to the urgent care center tonight. Thank goodness it was nothing more than what a precautionary, 10-day, antibiotic regimen could handle. Jeepers! Oh, and if you'd like to see what the bite mark of a Dachshund looks like, Emma's upper right arm has the tooth-by-tooth tat for future reference. Only ONE of the dog's teeth broke through her skin, but it was deep and wouldn't stop bleeding. The rest of her new tattoo is made up of very prominent bruise marks.
Actually, I never hated dogs - still don't. In fact, I liked Dachshunds - still do. I just had to detail all the grisly attack information so Emma could receive a little sympathy before I tell you the real story about our very friendly, excitable child :)
We live in a condo development where many of the residents have dogs and all are walked (the dogs) many times, daily. That being said, Emma fully knows (at least we tell her repeatedly) how to behave around dogs, especially dogs we are not familiar with. Part of that behavior includes Emma remaining calm with no sudden movements and quietly letting the dog sniff her relaxed hand. If you know Emma, you know her nature is the antithesis to those afore mentioned behaviors.
So, as the unsuspecting, happy dog walker was approaching our drive-way, he proudly and gladly obliged Emma's look of excitement and let the Dachshund waddle up our driveway. Emma DID, in fact, perform our mandatory dog-petting orders, but unfortunately she did them all within about 2 milliseconds, then she proceeded to hop and hoot while trying to pet the dog. Lucky* (the dog) got spooked and literally jumped into the air and latched onto the back of Emma's right arm.
The 5 seconds that followed felt like an eternity, and then some.
Lucky had to be pried off Emma's arm, Emma's eyes had to be put back into her head, and Mr. dog owner needed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. I'm almost not kidding about the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation since Mr. dog owner recently had a major heart attack.
If I were a more serious, freak-out type person, I think this scenario could have ended pretty ugly. But, I proudly kept my cool, assured Mr. dog owner that it was NOT his fault and high tailed it inside to properly clean the wound before I passed out. I hate blood and all things wound related. I honestly felt horrible for Mr. dog owner - he was clearly beside himself with embarrassment and guilt.
After a little laughing therapy (the BEST medicine, right?!), a visit to the Dr.'s office and an antibiotic prescription...we are on the mend!
*names have been changed to protect those involved
2 years ago
6 thing(s) you said:
Ha! "calm with no sudden movements"...is not in Emma's anatomical make-up.
Auntie will kiss it tomorrow...!=)
p.s. I know this is horrible (and not so funny...even though I know I laughed when you told me)
but I have this mental picture of a tiny dog with a vice-grip on Emma's teeny little bicep while she's hopping and flailing and it makes me laugh. Like something out of a cartoon...Sorry, bad auntie. Seriously glad she's okay.
good job keeping your cool and not blaming the dog (or owner). as an avid dog lover, i'm realistic enough to know that some dogs just do bite yet it's wonderful to hear someone not overreacting and wanting to "kill the dog!"
I think I am laughing more over your choice of a title, than the actual occurance. I, for the record, am NOT a dog lover, and this story gives me one more reason to say that!
this might be my favorite post!! exquisitely written and compelling. I felt like I was there:) Coming from a family that freaks out when there is a spider on the rug, I think you handled it perfectly. Thanks also for protecting the identity of "lucky" and mr. dog owner:)
Yet another reason I don't want a dog!
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