Chewie got bit in the face

[Kimmy & Chewie]

Chewie got bit in the face by a labrador who was off-leash today :(

It happened at our weekly Obedience class. The labrador (name Tara) belonged to a former student of the class and the owner brings her here pretty regularly and she's always off-leash. I've seen both of them a few times before. Chewie even played with Tara 5 minutes before the incident.

5 minutes before class started, I decided to take Chewie for a "warm up". He was heeling nicely when we walked pass Tara (off-leash, owner no where in sight). Being the friendly dog that he is, Chewie took a few steps to greet Tara (tails wagging), but Tara reply with an attack. It happened so fast, there was a lot of noise...Tara's growling and Chewie's crying/yelping and backing away. Seconds later, Chewie was on his back and Tara was on top of him. Chewie doesn't bite back, only kicking all four paws trying to get out of the jam. I yelled and Tara finally back off.

I checked Chewie and found a big puncture under his eye :( I rushed him to the vet immediately.

Tara's owner found me as I was carrying Chewie onto the car. She's actually a really nice old lady and offered to pay the vet bills. I don't remember my response to her as my focus was on poor Chewie.

The first vet we saw cleaned the wound to assess the damage. She said the it require stitches as the bite is quite deep (2 cm). And because it's so close to his eye, he will need to be sedated under general aneasthetic as they cannot afford him to twitch at all while they stitch.

I felt terrible!! The 2 good things were 1) it missed his eye and 2) Chewie's still in good spirits (must be a doodle thing!)

He happily played fetch while we wait an hour for the operating room and for the surgoen to arrive.

I was told to come back in 3 hours (1 hour to under and 2 hours to wake up)....I was a nervous wreck!!

Here's what my poor Chewie looks like now :( Was quite shocked at how much hair they had to shave off.

He needs to be in the 'cone of shame' all the time and keeps bumping into things. Also need 4 different drugs to take for the pain, swelling and prevent infection.

The final bill was around US$400 and I yes, I do plan to get Tara's owner to pay for it!!

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Poor Chewie. IT does sound like he will be fine given a little time. I am sorry he had to go through this.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

What a horrible thing to happen.  I can't understand why dogs are allowed off leash at the classes.  Our classes here have strict instructions that all dogs must be on leash at all times and we are told not to allow them to 'play' with each other before or after class.  Poor Chewie, he is so adorable, I do hope he is not fearful around other dogs after this.  My Riley loves all dogs and I am always nervous that he will be attacked when we are out and about.  What happened to Chewie could have been a whole lot worse and I wish him a speedy recovery.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

OMD - I am so happy that Chrwie's eye wasn't hurt - I know of a dog that lost any eye just this way.  I would certainly have the dogs owner pay for the cost AND make sure that her dog is not allowed to be at class unless it is ON lease. 

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I am so sorry for you and Chewie. Thank goodness you were right there to help Chewie. It's so good that he was still in good spirits and that must have made you feel a little better. Here's to a speedy recovery!!

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

I am so sorry Chewie was bitten! What a scary thing for him and for you!

Does the leader of your Obedience class know what happened? If the labrador, despite having graduated from the class, attacks another dog, perhaps the leader needs to let the owner know the labrador either shouldn't come any more or should be on-leash at all times.

I hope Chewie has a speedy recovery and is back to his happy, friendly self very soon!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am so sorry Chewie was hurt and will hope for a speedy recovery. Even with the bandage and shaved face, he is still adorable.