The next day I felt a little under the weather (which is expected after an infusion, you get kind of like a flu with aches and pains - weird, huh?) but decided I would go to work. However, on the way to the bus stop I was attacked by a neighbour's dog who had escaped through the fence. At first it was just growling and barking so I kept walking but then it latched on to my thigh!! OUCH!! Needless to say, I screamed and it backed off. A nice man from another house came out to see if I was okay and I rang Neil (who was on night shift and still sleeping) and the man helped me get back to my street (avoiding the dog which was still lurking). Neil took me to the hospital as there were three puncture wounds and a huge bruise already forming (and that was after being bitten through denim jeans!! Imagine on a baby's face...ugh). They washed it out and bandaged me up, my tetanus shots were up to date so that was that. I couldn't believe it was two says in a row I was in hospital! For the local readers, Hollywood Private Hospital day one, Swan Districts day two!
All up I ended up not going to work for 4 days last week. Here's what the bite wound looked like a couple of days ago...
Admittedly, the bruising wouldn't be quite so impressive if I wasn't anaemic! I was glad the puncture wounds didn't bleed too much after having $814 worth of iron put in there the day before LOL.
My mental state has been quite badly affected by all this. I'm feeling extremely sorry for myself and guilty because the dog ended up being euthenaised (sp?) as the owners wouldn't pay for it to be registered when the Council came to check on it. Neil wants me to get legal advice and pursue a damages claim for lost earnings, and stress, but I just want to put the whole thing behind me. I get a little nervous now when I see loose dogs on the street, even small ones, and I'm worried that the neighbours will do something to retaliate against us. They are already "bad" neighbours in that they are extremely messy with junk all over their lawn and often have shouting matches in the street. The neighbours themselves clearly have no money or insurance but their home is owned by the government and the government department will have public liability insurance we could claim under. But is it worth it for a couple of thousand dollars? The woman has six kids under the age of ten and enough stress already. Sigh.
Anyway, that's my update. I'm having a difficult year!
Post title is from the same Horrible Crowes song as last time, Blood Loss. Thought it was relevant (-:
7 comments:
How scary it is to be bitten by a dog...especially in your own neighborhood. I was staying the night at a friends house and their half wolf breed bit me...it tried to bite me every time I went over. Lucky me. But I can understand why you are not pursuing a lawsuit BUT that is a nasty bite and I wouldn't blame you if you did seek repayment for the hospital bill. Then again you are taking the honorable high road and Karma will get them back in the end. Maybe it already has.
It is totally understandable that you aren't feeling well mentally because you have been under a huge amount of stress...financially, physically, and emotionally. I wish you all the best girl and hope you can find some time to unwind and decompress. (HUG)
WOW! That looks painful! I'm sorry :(
I can understand why you wouldn't want to take legal action.. I would feel the same way, just wanting to put it behind me. At the same time, I wouldn't blame you for doing so! That bite looks pretty bad!
I am glad you are okay! It's definitely understandable you aren't feeling well mentally. That's a pretty stressful situation, with the transfusion and the dog bite.. girl, take some time for yourself and start feeling better :)
Thanks for visiting Afton and Sara! I have to admit, I think the photos of the wound are pretty impressive. It doesn't hurt much at all anymore, thank goodness. Thank you both for your empathy and friendship (-:
I'm sorry about this, Lil! I'm already a little wary of dogs in general; if one actually bit me it would scare the hell out of me. I can see why you wouldn't want to pursue legal action, and that's nice of you with the woman having so many young kids and no money. But I would say, definitely take care of yourself in this stressful time and do what you can to make yourself feel better. It looks like a nasty bite; I hope the bruises aren't too sore. I'm glad your infusion went well! Maybe in 2-3 weeks you'll be feeling more energized, and energy can help with lots of things.
Ouch! That wound looks awful, I hope it is beginning to heal well. I can understand feeling sad, but please don't feel guilty that this dog had to be put down. The owners are fully responsible for failing to secure their dog on their property and failing to have it registered, none of that is your fault.
I love dogs, but having been chased by a few because their owners didn't have them on leashes or in a fenced yard, I'm always a bit afraid whenever I'm near one.
Oh dear one I am sorry for the dog bite. That picture does look nasty. I do hope you are mending quickly now. Yikes!
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