To sum things up - yikes

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and a Happy New Year. I've actually been too busy to post because my little girl was very sick. At first we thought it was just a cold, but one thing lead to another and she ended up with RSV and pneumonia. RSV is a respiratory virus that affects infants and it is pretty serious. Luckily she didn't get admitted to the hospital, but it was a close call. We did have a couple of doctor's visits, several x-rays, and a trip to the ER - not exactly a fun way to ring in the New Year.

Luckily, Christina was still the happiest baby on the block. Even when she was having trouble breathing, she had no trouble smiling. The doctor's were all impressed at just how happy she seemed, even when she was very sick.

There were a few tough days and nights. She didn't eat or sleep much and all she wanted to do was have me hold her and walk around with her. After a few days though, she started to feel better. I am relieved that it is behind us and hopefully we will be more prepared for the next time she gets sick. Or, let's just hope she doesn't get sick again - yeah I know, wishful thinking.

As if that wasn't enough to deal with, a couple of nights ago, my other babies - Amstel and Shadow, got attacked by a neighbor's dog.

Both of my dogs are ok, but the whole thing was very scary. I am still pretty shaken up about it in fact. What makes me so angry about the whole thing is that this is the SECOND time this particular dog has attacked my dogs and it's because the clueless owner never puts her dog on a leash. Given, her dog is pretty friendly, but after the first incident, you would think that she would learn her lesson.

I was outside walking my dogs, minding my own business, and this huge dog just came running towards us. Knowing about the first time she attacked, I tried to grab both of my dogs. I got Amstel in one arm and went for Shadow but she wouldn't come to me. Even though Shadow is half the size of Amstel, and Amstel is about 5 times smaller than the neighbor's dog, Shadow was running towards her. Shadow has no fear.

When the fight started, I kept yelling at the neighbor "Why isn't your dog on a leash!, your dog is never on a leash!", "This is the second time, my dogs were traumatized for days after the last time!", "Look how little my dogs are!!" I know this wasn't productive, but I was just so upset and I didn't know what to do.

Still failing to get Shadow into my arms, the neighbor’s dog ended up completely on top of her and I thought she was not going to make it out of there alive. The neighbor was trying to pull her dog off Shadow, but she was too heavy to lift. I started screaming, "No, No, No!!" I was so scared that her dog was killing Shadow. I kept pulling at her leash but I couldn't get her out.

Finally, her husband came running out and grabbed the dog. Shadow was bleeding and had cuts all over her, but thank goodness they were not very deep. I finally had both dogs in my arms and I was shaking. The neighbor followed me to my house to let me in because I couldn't even get the door open. She continued to repeat over and over "I'm sorry".

That night I had trouble sleeping and I've been afraid to walk the dogs by myself ever since. The neighbor left an apology letter at my door telling me she will make sure her dog is on a leash from now on, but I can't help being cautious. The scary part is that if it happens again, I don't really know what I can do differently to protect my dogs. Ultimately, I need to get them in my arms, and that is not easy to do.

I guess the important thing is that both of my dogs are ok. It could have been much worse and I know that. I just can't help replaying what happened over and over again.

Me, Nik and Christina are taking a little mini-vacation at the end of the week though, so let’s hope that goes well. It will be Christina's first time on an airplane so I know it could be a big mess, but I hope not! We are due for a little fun and relaxation!