These first three photos were taken at the hospital.
In the first I’m trying to keep warm, so I’m ‘wearing’ one of the old beach towels Dale had covered me with in the car on the way there. You can see how swollen, bruised, and distorted my hands and wrists were. It’s no wonder the doctors thought that left arm was broken.
In the next one, you can see that dang middle finger and understand why it still gives me a problem. While there was nothing to stitch, the doctors did find some wadded-up skin nearby to place in the gash to help prevent infection and taped it up the best they could. Check out how swollen all my joints look.
The last one is a butt shot showing off my stitches. You’re welcome. Lol.
The following two photos were taken in my driveway after I got home from the hospital.
The first picture probably sums it up best with my hands wrapped in gauze, the sling for the ‘I can’t believe it’s not broken arm,’ the bite on the top of my left thigh, and the band-aid on my left shoulder from one my many shots. This was taken on the sidewalk in front of our house, talking with our neighbor, Robert. As you can see, I obviously wasn’t properly outfitted for a dog attack in my short shorts. You can barely make out the red lettering on my sarcastic workout tank, which read, ‘Call the cops because I’m killing this workout.’ Although I have to admit, the blood splatter really does add to the effect.
One of these three bites on my calf was the bite that started it all. I asked Dale to take a picture so I could see what it looked like. It’s funny this is actually the best that leg would look for the next two months.
These next few photos illustrate the various puncture wounds, bruising, and swelling. My hands and arms definitely took the brunt of the attack.
I used to think I was bitten three times in the calf, but looking at this picture, it’s hard to tell. How many does this look like to you? Based on how hard the dogs were tugging on me I’m not surprised by how big and dark that bruise got. No wonder strangers felt obligated to comment on it.
These last three were taken a while after the attack—after I had healed some. They show the top of my thigh (again with the lingering massive bruise), the one on my abdomen the doctors had missed, and one of the perfect ovals where all the dog’s teeth penetrated the skin. The second picture must have been taken on the Sunday following the attack because that’s the big bowl I was using to throw up my pain meds.
Even though I’m pretty scarred up, I’m thankful. So many other dog attack victims are injured far worse. Tragically, others will even die from their injuries.
I never thought that this would happen to me, yet it did. The sad truth is it can happen to you or your loved ones, too, unless we do something to stop it. Please educate yourself and spread the word. Know the warning signs and know what to do in the event of an attack. Dog bites are 100% preventable. Help spread the word. Please share this post and others with your family and friends.
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