Close Call, letter I sent to dog owners -UPDATE -Ellie just attacked

[CityGirlintheCountry]

My Pooh figured out pretty early in the game how to avoid taking her meds. The only thing that worked was to puree some cucumber (her favorite) and mix the medicine in with just a tiny amount of the puree. She scarfed it right down.
Good luck!

 

[babalubird]

Well, I guess I'm awfully late offering my heart-felt sympathy about your problem neighbors. There are some in every neighborhood. We have them next to us as well.

So sorry your babies got attacked too. Hope it all works out ok, darn!

Connie

 

[nerfy]

Just read all of this, I'm so sorry about your chickens. I hope they recover and your neighbor pays well for all of the pain and suffering you and your chickens have gone through.

 

[chilling in muscadine]

Any new news? Hope and prayers for you guys.

 

[jjthink]

So sorry to take a while to check in - it has been mayhem with the flooding situation, medicating Ellie takes FOREVER, and so on. I just finished giving her her night meds - more or less - I'm now covered in sticky Cipro. She gets both Cipro and Metacam in the a.m.

Thank you THANK YOU for your good wishes for her.

I just don't know what to make of it. She seems to collapse less dramatically the last couple of days, perhaps because she is learning how to react, but it seems as though a pain in her right leg or hip or somewhere suddenly pulls her down on that side. Often. She walks kind of weirdly sideways-ish. Oddly - I guess - she is able to scratch the ground using both legs well for that. But she is way too vulnerable to be out and about. The weather has been so grizzly - right now there is a thick layer of ice everywhere - but they haven't even tried or wanted to go out in days and days. They're bored, depressed. I bring healthy snacks at least a few times a day to try to break up the monotony. BJ is puffing - when he stresses over a lady he gets sick. They are such a worry.

Tomorrow is supposed to be the first sunny day in what seems like weeks. The rain has seemed relentless. Hopefully they will step into the run to catch some sun - they've acted afraid to go into the run (the run is safe). The covered part has nice dirt, no ice. It's Christmas tomorrow - I am hoping to be visiting my parents an hour away if the power is on and the house isn't filling with water, so won't see if they venture into the sun.

I just don't know where to go from here with her. Meds are done in a few days. If it's nerve damage maybe it will heal

If it's something else, I just don't know. A dog attack is so violent and who knows what he compressed, pinched, etc. What's odd and worrisome is that she walked okay until a week after the attack, then declined.

I hope you all have a very nice holiday. Thank you again.
JJ

 

[SpottedCrow]

Anything from the owners??
Merry Xmas! Here's your bill!

Hugs and kisses from here to you and your babies, Judy.

 

[jjthink]

Thank you!!

You too!!!!!

Because the situation with Ellie kept evolving (that is, the bill increased when she had the setback) I haven't given them the bills yet. I may within the next couple of days though as I don't want too much time to go by and because Ellie may be improving now, though oh so slowly.

She's still very vulnerable. Her right side/leg still gives out tho less dramatically and she walks in a funny sideways way and even in circles from favoring her left side unless she wants to move quickly and then it's full speed ahead for a few seconds. It is the oddest thing. Mercifully for her and I both, her meds will be done in a couple of days. Whether she'll need more is as yet unknown.

BJ knows she's vulnerable and won't leave her side for a second - he is the most chivalrous and loyal soul. They've been so restricted in activity for weeks now - it's very boring and depressing for them. We're getting a 2 day warm spell today and tomorrow so I will try to give them some very supervised free range time and see if they'll take me up on it. A lot of hawks around here lately - hungry in winter I gather and this is KFC - so I will have to stand right over them during any time out of the run. I had them out for 2 seconds a couple of days ago and immediately a red tail was eyeing her up. BJ gave the alarm call - she froze and then crows chased the hawk away.

BJ has been careful to keep her 'under wraps' but he's relaxing a teeny tiny bit as she improves. She now yearns for her loyal protective fellow and cries for him if I lure him even a few feet away for a bagbalm leg treatment or whatever! He was trying to eat a little grass yesterday and while she could get her own she preferred to have his and he gently let her take all his picking right from his beak. (where's the little smiley with hearts when you need it?)

JJ

 

[chilling in muscadine]

I'm praying so hard for you guys to pull through this with a happy ending. I know my Sadie has no desire to go back into the run which makes since because that is where she was attacked. Do you think Ellies leg will work itself out once she is able to be out in a run and use it more. Since she didn't have a problem with the leg until later on after the attack maybe it will help and useing it will help her. Just a wishful thought here. I will keep you guys in my prayers and keep us posted. And please take care of yourself while all this is going on. That is something I didn't do for myself while careing for Sadie. I have a eating disorder and I had quit eating during that time caring for her. It's easy to forget about yourself when you are so worried and distraught. Take care and you have a lot of support here.
SARA

 

[littlefarm_bighappy]

I agree with taking them to court. It seems here in WI EVERYBODY sues for anything, and you have real, horrible damage.
Sadly, money is the only thing that stops people with no regard for others from repeating their behavior. Once they pay more for homeowners insurance, they figure it's not worth the $$$.

I would have no problem relocating a dog that gave me grief more than once.... and I love my dog to pieces. But if he ever strayed on another person's livestock, or bit someone, he'd be kenneled, period.


Dog bites are a *serious* thing here. A lot of dogs get put down here in WI after one bite because the owners don;t want to deal with the court costs, quarantine, and claims against the homeowner's insurance. (An ER visit runs about $300, and pain and suffering liablity here in WI is generally 3X medical bills..... so a simple nip generally runs a dog owner about $1500 here in my neck of the woods)

 

[chilling in muscadine]

How is Ellie this morning? Just hang in there, I know it's hard but I made it through my Sadie getting attacked and I never thought I would make it through that but in my case I don't have stupid neighbors to deal with. We are all here for you.

Prayers to ya'll.
SARA