Complete panic sets in because the dalmatians down the street are not friendly at all. I call Genn and through her sniffling and sobs she tells me Ivy is alive and that she isn't bleeding. Apparently while taking Ivy potty out the front our neighbor was walking her two dalmatians one of which was on a leash and the other that had just an electrical pulse collar on. Ivy is a friendly social dog that loves people and other dogs but mostly people. Genn noticed that something had changed from Ivy's friendly initial behavior and that she became obviously submissive and that it looked as if Ivy decided to head back to the house rather than approach or come near the dalmatians.The dog on the leash started to bark and became agitated which made the other dalmatian react and attack Ivy. It took Ivy in it's mouth and Genn said it happened so fast and that with out thinking she full on tackled the dog to the ground and put it in a head lock in hopes that the dog would release Ivy from it's mouth. {a little side bar...genn had just got home from church and was in her church clothes when she took down the dalmatian...which are now completely ruined because of the mud} Luckily the dalmatian released Ivy and she ran straight to Colton my nephew who had witnessed this whole debacle and he just held her and made sure she was safe.
Ivy was taken to the emergency room just for precaution. It was a miracle that she had no serious injuries and also that my sister wasn't injured by the dalmatian who could have easily turned on her and attacked. There are a couple abrasions on her chest and a minor puncture wound that required no stitches near her groin area. Her ribs were all in tact and nothing was broken on her little body. The vet kept repeating how lucky she was that there was nothing wrong. Ivy was given some pain medication to help with the soreness that she will feel for the next few days. I am just beyond grateful that she is ok and that Genn was there and responded perfectly to the situation. I try to not think of the what if's but I know that if Genn would not have reacted so quickly Ivy could have been seriously hurt. It is also such a blessing that Genn was not harmed during the incident either. After talking with Genn all she has said is, "I was not going to let that dog {ivy} die while I was watching her...and that all I kept thinking about was you and how mad you would have been if she died". Oh, sister I love you and so grateful you tackled that dog! I owe you one.
Julius and I were happy to hear all was well and that Ivy was now just resting. We decided to continue with our plans that day and head to the beach. Our friends the Elgan's {Mike & Tonya} were joining us and as soon as they got to our place we left for the beach. About 20 miles into the drive Julius head something pop {on our very old clunker of a car out here} and then after the pop the temperature gauge went from normal to HOT. He pulled over to see what had happened. I am mechanically challenged so basically what we think might have happened is the water pump or belt or something just blew up. We have had zero problems with this truck and the day before I had drove up to the north shore without any problem. So who knows why things happen the way they do but all I kept thinking about was the Ivy was alive.
We called around for a tow and then Tonya remembered her friend's husband has a hummer and so she called, and he was so gracious and came to the rescue. From there it was a lot of driving to and from but ultimately we just towed it back home. Who know's why things happen the way the do but I just keep feeling very grateful for the events that had happened and that it might not have been the most convenient of times especially considering it was my last sunday {when is your car blowing up or dog getting attacked ever convenient} but every one involved was safe. I think of what might have happened if I would have been driving the car alone or what if we would have been closer to the beach where there isn't a shoulder to pull over immediately. I just feel grateful.
so very grateful.
