Thanks you guys. I'm feeling more upset now than I did in the middle of the crisis. I've started talking to doggie friends and some of them know the dog. Someone might know the owner. As our neighbour said, "They won't be coming back." Apparently this dog has been involved in a few incidents of aggression. Jethro didn't believe it was Skipper, what with the collar and smelling of surgery. I do hope they settle down okay.

I did some exercises with Jethro to get him familiar with our 'new' Skipper (Jethro, sharp?) anyway, they morphed into Jethro learning to crawl across the floor. I was just trying to desensitize him to Skipper by teaching him a new trick, and then he was doing a combat crawl after treats on the floor. What a dog.

This is a terrifying experience, I can definitely sympathise.

Darwin got attacked once by an unleashed dog, and it's so hard to know what to do: you've got one hand tied up with the leash, and with the dogs pulling and jumping, it's hard to give a good kick. When it happened to me, I wondered whether it would have been better to let go of the leash so that I could intervene properly. I still don't know what I'd do if it happened again.

Bravo to your husband for getting the situation under control.

So sorry to hear about this

My dogs have almost been hurt by other dogs a few times. Whenever another dog is coming at either of them off leash or there is some butt sniffing and then snarling I instantly yank them off the ground and hold them over my shoulder. I have gotten scratched up pretty bad doing this a few times as normally they go crazy from the sudden yank, but I'd rather get scratched up than have to deal with a dog fight. My dogs are also only 20 and 40lbs though, I can see where this isn't an option for a lot of dogs.

How is Skipper doing this morning, Jenny?

Oh Jenny, I am so sorry to hear about poor Skipper! I feel for you so much, and I hope that somehow you can find the owners to make them pay your vet bills!

I just wanted to say I really hope Skipper heals fast and that I am thinking of you guys!

Skipper is Skipper. Quiet, dignified, calm (when there is no ball to play with). He slept fine, I gave him his pain meds at 5 am. He didn't eat last night, so I spiced up his dinner with some tuna and he chomped it down this morning. We get this chicken mush from the butcher (bones and meat ground up) and he didn't have any trouble chewing.

Jethro is spooked - he doesn't seem to recognize Skipper. Skipper definitely has a different smell, coming from the surgery, and the cone isn't helping. We are giving Jethro plenty of space, to not approach (because then he tenses up and barks). As long as he is relaxed and interested, we are petting one dog, and then feeding treats from that 'scented' hand. I was moving between both dogs, petting and then feeding treats. We're pretty careful managing Jethro at the best of times, this adds a layer of management.

I understand the urge to coddle! and pity! But I know it isn't going to Skipper any good so I must be strong and act as if everything is proceeding according to plan. I am carrying him up and down the front steps right now because the pain meds have a slightly sedative affect and I don't want him to stumble. He's peeing and even had a small poop last night.

I need to read up on rehabilitating a dog after a serious bite. I don't want Skipper to become fear aggressive as a pre-emptive position.

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understand the urge to coddle! and pity! But I know it isn't going to Skipper any good so I must be strong and act as if everything is proceeding according to plan.

This is really good Jenny, you are absolutely right, and it will help both dogs to know everything is going to be OK.

You really are managing everything really well. Skipper and Jethro are lucky to have you!

Hey Jenny, just checking in to see how Skipper is doing?
How is Jethro doing now with Skipper?

Thanks for asking, Joyce. Jethro is doing much better. He seems to realize that, yes, this is actually Skipper and yes, he does smell different, act different, and look different. He is trying to clean Skipper's eyes, as he usually does in the morning.

Skipper is not looking so hot this morning. The wound is crusty and weeping. They gave him a shot of antibiotics at the vet, so I hope there isn't any infection. Its more that the skin is drying and then shifting and clear fluid is being released. We are going back to the vet this morning for his check up. The vet assistant suggested I put a warm wet cloth on the wound, I've tried twice but I don't think I did much good. We had eased off on giving him his pain meds because he seemed to be doing well, but I've given him another dose this morning. It looks to me like the skin is breaking around the stitches under his eye. I'm glad we have that appointment!

He was looking good yesterday, and we had a good walk. He hasn't been reactive around other dogs or the soccer field. *fingers crossed*. He really is an old, battle-scarred veteran who seems to be taking this in stride.

I'll update after the vet appointment.