The second time I was attacked by a dog

Posted On September 16, 2023

March 10, 2022 was the one year anniversary I was attacked a second time in my neighborhood. I was feeling good after recovering from a cryoablation procedure in January for atrial fibrillation. Electrophysiology | Healthcare Services Butler, PA

I was walking my dog Yeti as I have always done. But this walk took a vastly different turn. I was not even a half a block from my house when I noticed a lady was outside with her assumed young son of around age 11. She was across the street from me. I heard her telling the young boy to go and let the dog outside. Within seconds a large German Shepherd came out without a leash and looked at me and came running across the street.

I quickly picked up my dog and the German Shepherd started biting the back of my legs. I remember the sharp pain and I quickly thought to get onto my neighbor’s porch to get behind the gate. The dog came behind me and continued to bite my legs. I somehow managed to never let go of my dog and was able to protect her. I felt the blood running down my legs and was screaming at the dog owner to get her dog away from me. After she was able to get the dog away from me and back into her apartment. I managed to walk back to my house. There was blood all over my neighbor’s porch and a trail along the sidewalk back to my house.

I will never forget the instinct that came over me and if I had done anything different, I may not have my Yeti today. She did not have a single mark on her. I took the brunt of the attack and would do it again to save her life.

The physical healing consisted of 15 stitches, daily wrappings to both legs and pain and difficulty walking. 2 months later I needed surgery due to complications from taking blood thinners and infection. After the surgery I dealt with a wound vac for several weeks and home health visits.

Eventually I was able to return to my physical activity. I still feel tenderness in these areas but am thankful I was able to heal.

The mental healing continues every day. I see the scars every day and will never forget that day. Sometimes I think about how things could have been so much more tragic.

Because of the trauma, it was recommended I have counseling. I completed counseling and part of my therapy was “telling my story” and launching this website about Pet awareness is part of my healing process.

Some days are better, and some days are not.

I was recently at the vets for one of my pets and a German Shepherd was in the waiting room barking. I instantly felt pain in my leg and began to feel anxiety and the onset of a panic attack. When I have extreme pain or anxiety, I relapse with intermittent episodes of atrial fibrillation.

My journey of healing continues, and my determination will prevail.