If I Could Save A Life

"Awareness and knowledge are crucial to making changes."

~Mama Hen

I believe that awareness and knowledge are an essential part of making changes and preventing things that we would not want. Our dog, Pudding, died horrifically and I have been haunted by the way his life had to end. I realized today that perhaps the way he died was for a greater purpose. I had not planned on sharing this very sad story, however, if I could save a life then it is crucial that this story be told. I had my mom take Pudding because we were going to go away for a few days. When she let him outside for the last time before going to bed he was viciously attacked by two coyotes right by my mother's deck. She ran outside and tried to ward them off by screaming and swatting a broom, but they did not want to leave. She saw Pudding shaking under a bush and knew she had to get him. As she waved the broom and leaned over to Pudding a deer had run by and a third coyote ran past chasing it. She quickly was able to grab the dog and saw that he was completely torn open. (She was bitten and has been going through the extensive rabies shots at the hospital since.) She immediately drove to the emergency veterinarian which was 25 minutes away. She tried to call me, but I did not hear the phone after midnight. My dog stayed alive waiting for me. There was nothing that could be done because he had hardly anything left to his 6 pound body. My mom stayed close to him as they put him to sleep. I have been sick over this! That night there had been four other domestic animals that had died in the very same emergency vet from being attacked by coyotes. When we reported it to the police the next day and to the DEP we were told that there was no other report that day. However, they knew that these attacks had been going on and people simply are not reporting them. I am writing this post, as difficult a task as it is to do, to make everyone aware that this is happening in many parts of the U.S. and that children have been attacked too in their own yards. It is so important to make sure that being aware of the dangers we eliminate the risks. If it had been my daughter and I walking on the walkway to my mother's deck what could have happened? Coyotes are showing more and more that they do not fear humans. I write this post with all my heart to create awareness and to make sure my sweet little dog of thirteen years did not die in vain.

We love and miss you Pudding!