Piko.....

Yesterday morning after Easton went to school, Lilo was out in the yard barking at a couple of the neighbors dogs. Piko heard her barking, and went out, (Lilo is the boss, Piko is her protector, Piko also thinks he is a lot bigger than he actually is) He ran out into the yard, to chase them out, and got attacked. I feel terrible, every time I think about it, the images of him being thrown around come back, it makes me so sick. I was upstairs screaming from the window, I ran down the stairs, out the door, barefoot across the yard, and down the road chasing them screaming. Piko ran into the house yelping, while I was chasing the dogs, and hid. It took me about five minutes to find him, I knew that when dogs are really hurt they will go somewhere to be alone and die, and that is all I could think of. I finally found him under our bed, but couldn't get him out, I moved the mattress, but couldn't move the box springs... I called my friend who lives down the road, she owns a dog grooming shop, and is seriously amazing with animals. I could barely talk because I was sobbing, and out of breath from everything, (I don't handle crisis situations very well, that is one talent I truly wish I had). My friend was out of town though, in Salt Lake actually for her dog. She told me to call a guy here in T-town that is a vet, she said he will take such good care of Piko. She wasn't kidding. I called him, I am embarrassed now at how I probably sounded, but he was so kind, told me what to do, and to bring him right over. I called and called and called Piko, finally he came running out from under the bed, and ran for the laundry room, I trapped him picked him up in a towel, grabbed Ian, and went to the vet's house. The vet was so kind, met me outside, took Piko from me, took him inside and looked at him for a minute. He came back out and explained all of the injuries that he could see, and what he was going to do. He ran a practice in California, and just a year ago moved here, so he still has a lot of the equipment. They put him under, and did surgery on him, he had a couple really big lacerations, one over his liver, but luckily it didn't puncture, they are worried about bruising on it though, his right shoulder was torn open, and the skin was completely lifted off, same with his lower right side. His neck muscle had a 3/4" tear in it from the dogs k9 teeth, they had to suture that internally, and then they sutured up the remaining lacerations, and punctures, leaving openings for it to seep. I can't tell you how blessed I feel for them living so close, and being so willing to help, they sent us home with a cage, heat pad, food, water dish towel, ect. I also feel so blessed that he wasn't killed. His injuries are life threatening, the vet sent us home with strict instructions on what to watch for, meds to give him several times a day, and a syringe to force food and water into him, but I really think he will pull through. He seems to be doing okay this morning, he will lick water off of my finger, and we got his medicine in him. He wags his tail a little when we walk in the room and talk to him. We packed him outside this morning and set him down to see if he would use the bathroom, and he peed!!! Easton started sobbing when he saw him last night, it broke my heart all over again. We talked, and I told him that it would be okay, that the vet fixed Piko up really good, he asked a lot of questions, once I answered all of them, I think he felt better. But when we told him it was bed time and to tell Piko good night you could see the tears well up in his eyes. I am glad he has such a big heart. Piko is all wrapped up right now in bandages that say ouch in all different languages all over, but here are a few pictures.