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!

[Rose]

So glad to hear Benji is doing better!

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

What a nice Sunday morning message that Benji is doing better.  We are keeping him in our thoughts and prayers.  We can imagine that Grandma will be so happy when Benji comes home (hopefully tomorrow)!  We will keep looking for updates and hoping for good news.

[Camilla and Darwin]

So happy to hear that Benji is doing better.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Glad to hear that Benji is improving.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am literally with tears in my eyes. Jack who is an 11 pound GD was attacked in October by a dog, not a pit bull but he had his little hip pulled out of socket. The screams he made will never leave my head. It was horrific. He was not able to walk on his leg for 10 days but then he was fine. The thought of seeing Jack the way you saw Benji just bring me to tears.

 

What is scary is the dog is allowed to come home. The dog that attacked Jack was allowed to as well. IN fact the dog came after Jack two more times but was never successful in getting him. It was not until I was in the hospital and my neighbor walked Jack and the dog came after Jack and we pressed charges again did the dog get taken away. (The owners gave the dog away)

 

We now have three pit bulls that moved into our neighborhood, I can not stand it. They have not shown signs of aggression toward Jack but it is scary because one girl who can't weigh more then 80 pounds walks all three of them and she has no control over them what so ever.

 

Benji we are praying for you and your family, We hope that you don't have any long term side effects from this and soon you will be back to your mommies house getting lots of love.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Great news about Benji!  Not so good about the neighbor's apparent intention to keep the dogs.  Like you, I would fear for the safety of the kids and pets in the neighborhood.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

So glad to read another good update!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so happy to hear this update!  It sure sounds like Benji has turned the corner.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I will have Benji and your family in my prayers.  God Bless.

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

We are praying for Benji and sending positive thoughts to Benji and all of Benji's Doodle family.  We cannot imagine what you are going through.  We hope to hear good news soon.  It's comforting to know that your special Vet will be looking in on Benji over the weekend.