Attack of the Phantom Rabbit

Yesterday morning, our house was buzzing with eagerness as we prepared to do our Sunday run of geocaching. The weather here in North Texas has been pretty miserable, so we were all happy to hear that the weather was going to be in the upper 40’s. The dogs were all hyper because they had heard the necessary key words “go” and “car” and were aware that we were going to be heading out very soon.

I decided to let them outside to handle their business as usual. Last year we had some problems with them in the backyard chasing rabbits so we started letting them out in the front. They are really good dogs, who don’t wander off or anything like that so I typically will let them out and watch from the door or throw some laundry in the washer while they do the do. 

Well, yesterday I was trying to get a lot done, DH was sitting on the couch watching some TV and I had to pee. So I left the door open, asked him to make sure they came in, and before I could take another step, we heard the worst sounding screams I have ever heard in my life. 

We race outside, and everything looked as normal as can be. Pepper was oblivious and the other two dogs were no where to be seen. We called their names and they slowly came to us, we saw no other dogs, no animals, no birds, nothing. DH approached the two dogs and as he went to pick Milagro up, she let out another scream. Blood was beginning to gather in her fur and we were clueless.  

We got all the dogs inside, tended to Milagro’s wounds which was not easy because she did not want to be touched. She had two puncture wounds on both sides of her back. I was baffled.  All we could think of was that she got into a tussle with a rabbit. Milagro is one of the sweetest dogs on the planet, very very curious about other animals though. When we had our mouse visitors, she was the one who discovered them. Never attacking one or killing one, just observing from a distance. That’s what she does. She’s the same way with our cats. Very loving and kind. Knowing that, I just could not picture her attacking a rabbit. Being very curious, sure. Following one to see what it’s doing, absolutely. Attacking one?  Never. But if it wasn’t an animal then what? All that was out there were some bushes… bushes I hate because they are prickly but it just didn’t seem possible considering the sound she made.¹ 

Of course, every vet in the area was closed so we had no choice but to wait it out. She was in pain, but still being her usual self. She ate her normal treats. She was very interested in my Wendy’s chili. She wanted some crackers. She still wanted to get in the car whenever we headed out. Everything was normal unless we touched her. Sooooo, we decided to just spoil her rotten. We got her little pink bed out of the closet, padded it up with blankets, and catered to her all night long. 

Sandy was suffering from a little PTSD² as well as major jealousy. She is our little sick one, but Milagro was getting all of the attention yesterday. But this life I suppose… Sandy can’t always be the center of attention. Of course, there is no point in me trying to tell her that.

This morning Milagro went off to the vet to check her injuries.  Our vet³ had to shave her hair and do a bit of  ‘investigating’.  Apparently, it wasn’t a rabbit, she was just assaulted by the bush⁴. Poor thing is still skittish about being touched in that area which makes it a lot of fun for those of us who have to put ointment on her injuries.  But she’s still getting spoiled, sleeping away in her pink bed, and personally, I think she is loving every minute of it.

1. of course, my encounters with that bush have caused me to scream like a psycho as well… but you didn’t hear that from me [↩]
2. some might say it was major since everything from signs to blowing grass was making her jump [↩]
3. who is amazing, even though his personality is that of a stick sometimes [↩]
4. like mama said! [↩]

Tagged as: chiweenies, drama, injures, medication, Milagro, sandy, sick, the girls, the vet