My Emily

[Dangels]

This morning, I took my Jack Russell Terrier, Emily, and my Pit Bull puppy, Jager, for a walk down our road like I usually do. The walk had went well until I passed by a trailer house that's about a mile from my home. A new family had moved into the house last week, and I had noticed on my walks by that they have a large German Shepherd dog which is usually tied out on a tie out attached to their front porch. The dog was barking as I walked by, but I wasn't paying too much attention. Suddenly, the dog come running up to us.... he must have broken the tie out. He ran out on to the road, he was barking and growling. I instantly took little Jager up in my arms, and tried to grab Emily.... but in an instant the dog had Emily in his mouth. He had her by the neck, and was shaking her. She was crying and trying to get away, but she didn't even have a change with the German Shepherd which was so much larger than her. I was trying to get the dog to let go of Emily, I picked up a stick.... but he just wouldn't let go. I guess I was yelling pretty loadly, and the people in the trailer house heard me and come outside. Once they saw what was going on, they came out to help, and finally got the German Shepherd to let go of little Emily. I looked down and was terrified to see that she wasn't moving. There was a lot of blood, but she was still breathing. She didn't seem to be in any pain, but she wasn't moving either. I quickly took her into my arms, rushed home quickly, we got straight into the van and drove her to the vet's office. We had to wait there because our vet doesn't work on the weekends, so we had to call her in as an emergency.

Once my vet finally got there, she looked over Emily. She was very concerned because Emily was not moving at all, so she took an x-ray of her neck. I was sent to wait out in the waiting room. After what seemed like hours, I was called back to the room where they had brought Emily. My vet told me that Emily's neck had been broken in 2 different areas.... resulting in severe spinal cord injury. She told me that Emily is totally Paralyzed, and she says there is no chance of recovery. My vet is suggesting that I have her put to sleep because she will not have any quality of life, and I guess it's very difficult taking care of a dog with paralysis.... but at least she is in no pain. I asked if I could have the night to think about it. Deep down I know the vet is probably right, the most humane thing would be to let her go.... but she's still fairly young, and she was so full of life. This is just soooo sad.

I guess i'm just wondering what you guys think.... I mean, do you think it would be unfair to keep her alive in her condition? I think the vet is right, I guess I just need to know what you guys think. This is so sad, i'm so heartbroken, right now. I keep thinking about what happened. It all happened so fast.... Poor little Jager witnessed the whole thing, but at least he wasn't injured.

[Doglover1988]

I'm sooo sorry! I have been in that situation before when a strange dog came and grabbed my dog. Luckily though we got away. Is there a surgery the vet could do to fix her? Can she move at all or eat. I am not going to tell you what you should do but if it were me I would probably have the dog euthanized since it sounds like she wouldn't have any quality of life. Another question you need to do something about those owners. Make them pay your vet bills. I hate people who just let their dogs run loose.

[Dangels]

Unfortunately, Emily is unable to move at all.... including her head. I talked to my vet about it, and she said that if I was to keep her alive and bring her home, she would have to have a feeding tube. My vet is saying that her injuries are too severe for surgery to repair because she is totally Paralyzed, and there is spinal cord damage is several different areas. I've been researching online to try finding a vet that may be able to offer some hope, but so far everything i'm finding is very grim. I'm very upset, I really want to find some way to fix her, and make it so that she can have some quality of life.... I know that may not happen, but I just wish there was something that I could do. I feel so helpless at this point.

As far as the people who own the German Shepherd, that has been the furthest thing from my mind, so far. I suppose i'll probably be contacting the local animal control tomorrow morning to report what happened, and we'll go from there.

[Ritz459]

I am so sorry.

If she can't move at all...it might be best to have her put down. That is easy to say since I'm a person standing on the sidelines and it doesn't impact me, but I honestly think it will be kinder to you and her in the long run.

Good luck with whatever you decide and (((hugs))) to you.

[Sentry]

So very very sorry...most likely I'd let her go. She would be miserable being a JRT that couldn't move. Please do report those poeple before someone else has to make the decision you're making. Poor Emily
=( So so sorry!

[Dangels]

Well, my vet just called me to say that Emily isn't doing well at all. They are trying to keep her stable. I have decided that the most kind thing for Emily is to have her put to sleep, so i'm leaving for my vet's office in a little while to say my final goodbyes. As hard as I know it will be, I want to be there with her when she goes.... I don't want her to die alone. Although, I really don't want to let her go, I know that she wouldn't have a good quality of life. I am so upset, right now. I just want her to be alright again. This is so hard, she will be very missed.

Thanks to everyone for your kind words and support!

[IceyBlueSibes]

I'm so sorry... I have to agree with your vet and everyone else that letting her go is the best thing. You are allowing her to be young and free again. I know there is not much one can say to make things any easier, but we are here for you when you need it. Most all of us know what you are going through having to make an ultimate decision like that. You are doing the right thing.

[[[[[HUGS]]]]]]]

RIP Emily

[Dangels]

Poor little Emily is gone, now.... that was probably one of the hardest things i've ever had to do. Of course, I have lost my furry babies before, but never quite this way. This whole day has left me quite shaken, and very upset. I really miss little Emily. She was such a sweet little girl. So happy, full of life, and carefree. The events of today keep replaying in my head, I just wish I wouldn't have taken them for a walk.... I almost didn't because it looked so much like rain. Emily is will be very missed, for sure. She always liked to sleep all curled up against me with her head resting under my chin at night.

Anyways, thanks for all of the kind words and support! I really appreciate it.

[Doglover1988]

I'm so sorry! You made the right choice. She was probably so scared and wondering why her little body wouldn't work. Run free sweet little Emily!

[k9hullio_sam]

Oh no that is horrible! I know exactly how you feel, it is horrible to go through. Rest in peace Emily, I am sure Mandi will keep you company!

[Punkygirl0101]

I am sorry for your loss! I know exactly how you feel, I actually had a dog named Emily (Dachshund/poodle mix) who was in the SAME exact boat as your Emily. She was attacked by a husky/shepherd mix and she was not in good shape and we made the tough decision to put her out of her suffering, and have her euthanized.

This has not been a good year for me and other dog forum members

[Dangels]

Well, i'm finding that it's very hard to deal with the loss of little Emily. She was a sweet little dog, and right now I can't get what happened to her out of my head. Jager seems like he's trying to be very cautious around ALL larger dogs, right now. I'm concerned that this experience may have a lasting effect on him, and i'm hoping that's not the case. Thank God I was able to pick him up before that dog could get him too!

I did report what happened to the local animal control, but the German Shepherd is up to date on all shots, and he was on a tie out.... not running loose. It just broke, and the dog got loose. So, i'm being told that there is nothing animal control can do about it. However, the owners now must keep their dog either indoors, on a leash, on a chain, or in a kennel at all times. The people who own the dog seem to feel very bad about what happened. They have offered to pay Emily's vet bills, and have promised that they will do their best to ensure that their dog does not escape like that again. I still don't think i'll ever feel safe walking my dogs near there or anywhere along the road, for that matter.

I really miss little Emily.... she was such a sweet dog. It was really hard coming home from work today, and not having her little wagging "stub-tail" to greet me at the door. Some of the other dogs really seem to miss her too, especially my 11 year old Lab/Shepherd mix dog, Girl. She and Emily were always playing together. This is just so sad.... but I know it'll get easier in time. Although, Emily was only with me for a fairly short time, she will have a place in my heart forever. I sure do really miss the energetic little dog :'(

[Sentry]

Awww...I'm still so sad for you and Emily...at least the owners are trying and understand. Too late for poor Emily but maybe she saved someone else from getting hurt too. Wishing you both sweet dreams!

[Swiftwind]

Oh my gosh, I am terribly sorry to hear what happened to poor Emily! Why do these things happen to the sweetest dogs? It's horrible witnessing a dog being attacked by another dog (especially if there are such differences in size). Abby was attacked by a Jack Russell - he bit her on the neck and wouldn't let go, and she was yelping like I've never heard before.. that scared me half to death, because I didn't think Abby would walk away from that, but luckily she was fine, just very, very shaken.

It's easy to think this was your fault, but the fact is that it is in no way your fault. You never planned for this to happen. It's unfortunately just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A few years ago my mum took my dogs for a walk (at the time I had a pup called Ringo), and Ringo ended up eating dog bait and had to be put down. I used to wander what would of happened had my mum not taken Ringo on the route she had, but nothing can be changed. I just had to accept the facts.

Rest In Peace, Emily

[Rivsky]

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry to hear what happened with poor little Emily What an absolutely horrible ordeal for you all. RIP Emily and many, many hugs to you and your family.