There is so much I want to say, but I can't find the words.
Instead I will republish my earlier post , where I retold the events of November 30th, 2008. And I will give thanks for the little boy with the big heart who inspired everyone he met that day.
My parents were here visiting for Thanksgiving. On the last day of their trip, they wanted to go visit friends and family, and my sons begged to go with them. Now I don't let my kids go anywhere without their dad or me to supervise. But these are their grandparents, and they'd look after them the same way I would. So I let them go. And then I got the call.
"Can you meet us at the hospital? G's been bitten by a dog."
"I'll be right there."
As I got ready, I thought of my headstrong little guy who I was sure wasn't paying attention and got himself in the path of the friends' little dogs who no doubt yapped at his ankle. Did he need a tetanus shot? I wonder if it needs stitches. On the 5 min drive over to the hospital, I got another call.
"Are you on your way? Ok, good. Now don't panic. Everything's under control. See you soon."
DON'T PANIC....
I heard it over and over in my head. DON'T panic means there's something to panic about. Something I hadn't thought about. How bad is that bite? Okay stay calm. He's at the hospital and he's with his grandparents. He's in good hands. Focus.
When I got to the hospital, my mother met me with my younger son, and directed my husband where to go. But she blocked me. She led me to a quiet side area and explained that she didn't think I should see him now. She explained that as they were leaving our friends' house, their two Rottweillers suddenly went from calm to "pack mode". They separated my son from the rest of the adults and they mauled him about the head and shoulders. "He's in a lot of pain and he needs stitches." Rottweillers? They had little lapdogs the last time I visited. Oh my God. I had this thing all wrong. I need to see my child.
I tried to go into the E.R. but I was met by my father and the nurse. I shouldn't go in. They're taking care of him. He's in a theatre being prepared for stitches now.
Let me tell you that not being able to see your child through a situation like this is indescribably painful. And it takes everything you have to stave off the madness you feel you're on the verge of. Hysteria is not going to help. I have to stay calm. And I have my newborn and my 5 yr old who witnessed the attack to be calm for.
It's going to be okay. He's in good hands.
There were wonderful people in the waiting room that day. A beautiful family who made me smile with their warm family banter and generous sense of humour. I wish I could remember their names. They will never know what it did to the pit of my stomach when they asked if I was the mother of the little boy who walked in here covered in blood. And how brave he was.
Everyone from the nurses to the visitors to the doctors told me how brave he was. He'd been attacked by two big dogs who were taller than him on their hind legs, and who took turns pushing at him with their front paws. One in front, one behind. Trying to push him down. As he explains it, he couldn't take it anymore, and he dropped to the ground and rolled into a ball. And they held on to his head....
He needed stitches to his scalp in a few places, and to his eyebrow. Some wounds were left unstitched to allow them to be aired out to aid the healing. Gashes and hanging skin were stitched. My beautiful little boy then thanked the nurses and doctors for the great job they did - he told them he knew they were trying to be gentle.
When I finally saw him, he looked at me and he said:
"I'm sorry Mom. I didn't mean to make you worry."
He never once complained for himself. His first thought was for others - praising them, comforting them. Even in the middle of what must have been tremendous pain for him, when he couldn't sleep and couldn't find a comfortable position to rest his head, he called for his grandfather. He had something to tell him.
When his grandfather emerged from that room he had tears in his eyes. My son told him that he needed to know it was not his fault. He said that he knew that he was blaming himself, but that he shouldn't. That those people should have had those dogs tied.
It wasn't my father's fault. Nor was it my mom's. But I know that they blame themselves every day. I know that they agonize over what they could have done differently. But the truth is that they were the angels on earth there to protect him that day. Somehow my mother, who's always suffered a tremendous phobia of dogs, managed to find the strength to dive in and cover my son completely with her body. She was willing to sacrifice herself for him. And without her... Well let's just say Thank God for her. They pushed at her with their paws and muzzles to try to get at him, but they couldn't move her.
She lives with the terror of that day, as does my father. I thank God daily that I was spared the sight of that. I live knowing that in a split-second, your entire life can be turned upside down. That each day is precious. And that your loved ones should always know how much they mean to you.
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22 comments:
This post gave me chills. What a brave and thoughtful child you have there.
I cannot imagine how terrifying that had to have been. And your mom! How amazing that she was able to overcome her phobia to do that. What a woman. What a family you have.
My oldest was bitten in the face several years ago by a large dog, but fortunately, it wasn't severe. He has the scars still, which always reminds me of how fragile life is and how quickly it can all change.
Go hug your kids... :)
It is horrible when acccidents happen, it affects everyone in some way. Thank God that he came through it. Thank goodness he was with family. By his reaction and response to people I can say that he is a very thoughtful and caring young boy. You are blessed.
BM
When I read the title, I thought that there was a worse outcome, I'm so glad they didnt take his life away-stitches will heal. Sorry that you were reminded of it today!
Oh wow... that's horrible and I am really glad everything is ok. A good reminder for me to be more careful around dogs with my own child... I love dogs and I always stop to pet them, but I should know better and I definitely don't want my little one mimicking me.
My daughter is 8, and I can't imagine her - a year ago - being calm and brave like your boy. What a star. And what an awful thing for you and your parents to have to face.
Because even dogs NOT known for their aggression can seriously harm a child if that child steps on their tail or touches them on a sensitive or sore spot.
To have two dogs that ARE known (as a breed) for aggression not tethered is irresponsible to the utmost. Just today on the news here in the UK a 4 year old boy was mauled to death by his uncle's dog while his grandmother was babysitting him at her house. The dog may be a type of breed that is banned here, but they are not sure yet.
The fault lies with the owners of dogs such as these, not with brave little boys or their grandparents, or their parents.
Your boy is truly lucky and clever. His instinctual actions of curling into a ball probably did a great deal to prevent more facial injuries. I hope he (and you) never have to go through anything like that again!
I'm so glad you all have survived this trauma. Momma (and grandmomma) love is a powerful, beautiful thing.
So are your sons, by the way.
This brought tears to my eyes. I can't even imagine having to go through that, and your son is one incredible little boy. I am a new follower.
Found you through SITS.
What a horrifying experience for all of you. I am so glad that he has healed. What a brave little boy.
Wow! I am so glad your little guy and mom are well! I can't imagine what you all went through! And the memories that have come back. What a brave boy!
Oh, gracious! Dog bites are the worst, aren't they? What a brave little guy you've got there...
What a beautiful, brave son you have. I can't even imagine how scary that must have been. Nothing is worse than seeing our children so vulnerable . . .
So glad he is ok today. You're mother sounds like a great lady.
Kiran
Wow, what a scary story! Your guy is so brave!
That made me cry. Your mom is quite a woman the way she threw herself in there to protect him.
I'm so terribly sorry that this happened, but grateful that he has healed and is fine today.
OMG, this is so upsetting to me. It was hard to read...and I can only imagine what it was like to live through.
I think you may be the strongest woman I have ever "met".
xoxo
I am an absolute mess after reading this. I just can't imagine. I'm so thankful that your son is okay.
What a brave, thoughtful and amazing boy you have there!
So glad he's healed!
I can't even begin to imagine the horror of that moment. Your son was truly a brave soul. Praise God he is alive and well.
oh thank god they got him away from the dogs in time. so sorry he had to go through that! scary for all.
Found your blog thru Nancy and Mami... Bless your heart. Bless your courageous child's heart. I cried when I read that he apologized for making you worry.Then gasped when he told grandpa not to blame himself. What an angel in the truest sense. Whatever you are doing, you are doing a great job raising your children right. I hope the memory of this horrible event fades as much as possible.
Wow. I am hear BAWLING! What a tremendous young man you have raised -- brave and thoughtful under the worst of circumstances! I can't imagine how hard that was for you but I'm glad that your little man fared as well as he did. God bless! Also, your mom is some kind of fearless.
Oh my,
I could just feel the emotion as I read. Your son truly has a good soul.
This was so difficult to read and I can only imagine how it was for you the day you got that call. It's every mom's worst nightmare.
Thank goodness for your mother and her quick thinking. Your son sounds like an amazing lil man...it's no wonder you are so proud of him.
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