How Fast Things Change

For the most part, things have been going pretty well at our house. Despite a few things, the dogs have all been in a pretty good place. But we all know that things can and do sometimes change quickly.  

With that I'll start by saying that we've not had any real issues that felt like I was totally being knocked off my feet. That is not until this past Tuesday. 

When I arrived home on Tuesday evening from work Iva was outside barking, and inside it was chaos because Carl was trying to get Todd back into his crate -- The rest of the dogs were equally upset barking and running between me and Carl. A few minutes before there had been a fight between Todd and Iva, and Carl was trying to see how badly Todd had been injured. We got him into the office, but were not able to handle him without his whining, crying and snapping at us. This was not good. We finally got Todd into his crate to settle him down, and for a moment turned our attention to Iva. 

Thankfully we found no injuries on Iva except for a scape on her muzzle. It was a totally different story for Todd. We knew he needed to see a vet and after a phone call to an urgent vet, Carl was quickly on his way. Of course I wanted to take him, but we felt that Carl taking Todd was better because the dogs needed to be fed and settled down and I was best to do that - Also, not knowing how long he'd be gone, Carl could take the next day off work, where I can't as easily. 

So, I got everyone fed and settled and I waited for news from Carl. He would arrive back home at about 2 AM with Todd who'd had emergency surgery. He has several stitches, and 2 drains in his neck. 

The drains were removed on Friday and for the most part, aside from some swelling, the vet said his injuries are healing as well as they can. Todd is being crated most of the time, and is allowed to interact with most of the dogs when going outside, except Iva.

~Inside the urgent vet on Friday~

Unfortunately we don't know what caused this fight. Todd and Iva were the only 2 outside together, as they have been many times. In the more than a year that Iva has been here, there have been no issues between the two of them. What happened and how it happened is only a guess. But my thought is that it was maybe a tennis ball. Carl plays ball with the dogs every evening, Todd plays ball by himself, and one may not have gotten picked up outside. Which is where the fight was.  If one of them had found a ball that had not been collected, and the other wanted it and didn't want to give it up, I think that's why a  fight may have started. I only say this, because later Milo had a tennis ball, and I don't know where he found it - But all this is just a guess. 

I am still reeling emotionally from this. I am at a low and feeling heartbroken, discouraged, sad, depressed, guilty and so many other things for so many reasons. And I am worrying about what's ahead as far as Todd's recovery and he and Iva co-existing together. I just hope with some time we will know the answers and can go back to those days we were having, even a week ago. I just hope .... and hope .... and hope some more.