POOR LUCA!

Yesterday was a horrible day for Luca. A little after 1pm Luca and I went for a walk like we normally do. We headed down to the bike trail which is one of his favorite places because he loves to smell everything. As we started heading down the trail I saw another dog acting excited and running around its' owner. The dog was on a leash and off in the field 20-30 yards away so I did not worry and we kept to the trail. Luca usually ignores other dogs and this is what he did on this occasion. He didn't even notice the other dog and keep sniffing whatever scent he had found. A few moments later I heard the owner yell, "NO, come back" and she fell to the ground. My initial reaction was to help her because she fell pretty hard, but then I realized her BIG (100lb.) dog was running straight for us in an aggressive manner. I went to pick Luca up and get him out of the way, but before I could get to him the dog grab Luca's back end and started shaking him. I of course was freaking out and screaming as loud as I could. I tried to hit the other dog but he grabbed Luca 3-4 times before I was able to position myself in between the two of them and protect Luca. By this point the other owner made her way to us and got her dog, so I could survey the damage. At first I thought Luca was okay, but then I saw the blood. I noticed at least 2 places where he was bleeding on his hind quarters. I was very upset, scared, and unsure what to do. I didn't know how I was going to get Luca back home quickly because he was in not state to walk and he is pretty heavy to carry that far. That is when a true blessing happened. At that moment a park ranger came driving by and he drove me home. I was so grateful because by the time I got home I noticed he had more puncture wounds than I originally thought. I immediately called the vet and a good friend to help me get him there. By the time we got to the vet the bleeding had stopped, but I was still worried because I couldn't see the full damage. The vet kept him for about an hour and a half to suture the 5 wounds. Unfortunately Luca had to be put under anesthesia because he was too wiggly. When I picked him up he was walking on his own and appeared to be happy. All of last night he was loopy from the anesthesia and pain medicine. He also limped on his right leg where the worse wound was. It made us sad to see the pain and discomfort he was in.












Today Luca is doing better. He is acting more like himself which makes the recovery hard. Luca is not suppose to jump or play hard for 2 weeks. It is only day 2 and he wants to jump around and play with his toys. He also has to where a cone collar from time to time so he does not lick his wounds. Even though he appears to be feeling better he is unhappy he cannot play and has to where his cone collar. The poor guy can't see where he is going and keeps bumping into things. We also have to help him drink his water or it makes a big mess. Rich and I are trying hard to help him obey his recovery rules, but it is going to be a long 2 weeks.
This whole experience has been traumatizing for both Luca and I. I am just grateful the park ranger came by when he did and that my friend was home when I needed assistance. I am also grateful his wounds weren't worse and that I was not injured as well. Luca has been a true blessing in our home and we have grown very attached to him over the past couple months.