Please pray for Benji UPDATE WEDNESDAY

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

My neighbor was walking my Grandma's bichon-poodle mix yesterday when he was attacked by 4 pit bulls that came charging out of a backyard.  My neighbor tried to get them off Benji and ended up with gashes in her leg.  She feels like the only reason they stopped attacking Benji is because they thought he was dead.  She spent the afternoon in emergency while Benji spent the afternoon in surgery.  When I saw him last night I barely recognized him with no fur, drain tubes everywhere and enough stitches to rival Frankenstein's monster.  Although he was obviously in pain he lifted his head when he heard our voices.  We transferred him to emergency care overnight and he will remain under observation today.  The doctor says he is still in danger and we will know more in the next 24-36 hours.  Benji was my granddad's dog, his pride and joy, and when my granddad passed away last May Benji became a great source of comfort and companionship for my Grandma.  She just turned 87 last week and I thank God she wasn't the one walking Benji yesterday because the outcome could have been even worse.  He was able to sleep through the night with the help of morphine but he is swelling now and we don't know if there is permanent nerve damage in his legs.  Please say a prayer for Benji, he is going to have a tough road to travel and I wish I could take his pain away.  

 

FRIDAY UPDATE:  Prognosis is still guarded.  Every time I called the vet today they said he was about the same so at least he isn't getting worse.  He's in an incredible amount of pain but he still tries to perk up when he gets visitors.  He will be staying in emergency again tonight - the great thing is, it is the emergency clinic connected to the vet so he will be under the care of the same vet that he's had all day (this vet is actually on all weekend so he will get to really watch Benji's condition).  He's still not using his front leg but I'm hopeful this will improve in time.

 

SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE:  I think we've turned a good corner.  When we spoke with the doctor last night he said he feels it is no longer a case of if Benji will go home but when.  That was such a relief to hear!  They are hoping to remove all of the drainage tubes tomorrow and he may be able to come home Monday night since my Grandma will be home with him all the time.  They are switching some of his meds since they are making him nauseous and he isn't eating.  He still looks like he is in so much pain and he isn't moving around but at least he has finally put some weight on his front legs - there is still concern about nerve damage to his right front leg which was just dangling after the attack but we hope once he starts to heal and get less sore this will subside.  I talked to the police and they said the dogs "probably wouldn't be going back to the house" but when I drove by the house yesterday there was suddenly a kennel in the yard and a chain on the gate like they are planning to bring them home.  I feel sorry for the neighbors, some of whom have children, if they are allowed to bring these dogs home; I'm glad we live about three blocks away and have no intention of going near this house again.  THANK YOU to everyone for your thoughts and prayers - between those, the attention of everyone at the vet and nightly visits from Reverend Rock (the vet's german shepherd) I think Benji is going to make it.

 

MONDAY UPDATE:   YEAH!!!!!  Benji is coming home this evening.  They flushed the wounds and removed the drainage tubes last night.  This alone probably made him feel better.  The fever he spiked yesterday is now gone and so is the nausea.  He doesn't have much interest in eating but will take some food if you put it in his mouth  (I can see him liking this for a long time!).  We're meeting the vet at 6pm to go over everything and bring him home.  Thankfully the vet that has seen him through this ordeal is on duty until 10pm and we can call him with any questions.  It is hard to believe this wasn't Benji's usual vet, nor even the vet he was taken to immediately after the attack.  He and his staff have done so much to help Benji and keep us up to date on his progress (I've been known to call at 2 or 3 in the morning to check on him).  We're really glad we found this vet and made the decision to keep Benji under his care.  My Grandma is happy Benji is coming home, I don't think she's slept much since he's been gone.  My neighbor has gone to her cottage up north to let her leg wounds heal.  Life will start to get back to the new normal while Benji goes through his healing process but at least he'll be home and on the mend.  Thank you everyone!

 

WEDNESDAY UPDATE:  Benji ended up back at the emergency vet last night.  When I arrived at my Gma's I looked at his neck and there was a rather large wound that had opened up.  (Sorry for the mental image.)  Since I was worried about an infection we took him back to emergency and they did some surgery to remove dead tissue.  He's resting comfortably at the vet and should get to come back home today.  Unfortunately they had to put a drain tube in this wound but hopefully it will heal soon.  This wound is right near his jugular, bringing home just how lucky Benji is to have made it out of this fight.  For a little guy he sure is tough!

[Leslie J]

I'm so glad that Benji's doing better.  Sending lots of healing wishes his way!

[Melissa & Porter]

I am so relieved to hear Benji has taken a turn for the better, and I hope your grandma is doing well.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

This is such good news.  Go Benji!!

[Becky, Chili & Guiness]

Seriously, who needs 4 pitts?  I'm so happy that Benji is improving, and hope the neighbor is, as well.  Your grandma is probably still grieving the loss of her DH.  To have lost Benji in such a manner would have been unfathomable.  Pawsitive thoughts for all being sent your way.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Kim, I'm glad to hear that Benji is expected to survive - wonderful news.  About the "dogs" - I don't want to sound cold - but they need to be put down before they tear some little kids face off.  I would be calling the police and animal control and keep the pressure on them to not let those animals go back to their home.  I'd also be taking pictures of Benji's injuries and getting a full report from the vet as to the extent of the injuries.  I not a person that believes that you should sue for any little thing but I'd be putting the thought in those owners heads that they are going to poney up for all of the vet bills or else.  Let me know if you need me to come help you - lol.  Remember I'm the one that got the dog and mean owner banned from our dog park!!!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I have nothing against pittbulls - in fact i know of many wonderfully behave pittbulls.... but I am against ANY DOG that bites and does this kind of damage. These dogs either need to go to an expert to be rehabilitated (if possible) or destroyed. They should NOT go back home to the irresponsible owners so they can do the same thing again. 

 

[Beverly & Teddy]

So glad to hear that Benji has turned a corner and is improving.  What a terrible ordeal.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! 

 

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

The owners have not been in contact with either my Grandma or my neighbor who was walking Benji.  The woman at the house when the incident occurred told the police they couldn't ticket her because the dogs belonged to her husband so I think this is going to be an uphill battle.  I hope the police do not allow the animals back into the house, they obviously did not take the time to properly train them nor did they follow the city laws regarding the number of dogs allowed.  I won't be able to find out more from the police until Tuesday when Animal Control returns and the report is ready.

[Tara and Dublin]

We are very happy to hear Benji is improving!!  My question and I apologize if this has already been answered.  Have the owners of the pitbulls taken any accountability for this horrible incident?  Offered to pay vet bills, offered any monetary assistance to the neighbor that was hurt or answered as to how they plan to keep their dogs contained on property since it sounds as though they are returning so this does not happen again to someone else??  I am honestly baffled that the dogs are allowed to return after an attack like that??

[sandy b]

Thanks for the Sunday update. I'm so glad Benji is doing better but sorry to hear the dogs may be coming back. That is so scary.