~News From The “McPack”

(March 21) So last weekend, in a snowstorm, my husband was exercising Lu (7 yrs. Old) with her usual running, retrieving, hide-and-go-seek- for- the- ball routine. She was out searching and beyond view when suddenly a stampede of deer (at least 25) came racing across our property – chased NOT by Lu, but by an unknown black lab. Steve called Lu back to the garage and put her on a stay. Then it all happened in reverse, the deer racing the other way, right in front of our garage! Steve was able to get the dog’s attention and order him “home.”

When I was helping clean Lu’s feet after she got inside, I was shocked to see a large “gouge-like” wound on her left rear knee along with some scrapes. It wasn’t bleeding much, no muscles were showing, but the skin had been peeled back, etc . Then we discovered an identical injury on her other rear leg. Cleaned it up, medicated, and bandaged as much as we can, but realized she was going to need professional help. Hence, the next morning he took her to our vet in Redmond first thing. After a day of surgery, she was picked up at the vet’s…..stitched, stapled, and with the cone, which she will be wearing for 2 weeks.

We still have no idea exactly how it happened – we are guessing that she either misjudged a leap across the concrete berm on one side of our property or slipped on snow. It’s not in a place that she would have gotten a deer kick unless she was lying on her back (doubtful), plus the even spacing of the wounds would argue against a kick. But we’ll never know.

YIKES – life can change in an instant. She’s not happy with no running but has adapted to the cone amazingly. Also, Lu is figuring out which way to turn when she reaches a wall, even going upstairs (with supervision) to be with Steve. She’s getting lots of love and attention – and pain pills and antibiotics.

So (like most everyone, we are all sheltering in place now. And if we can all keep our equilibrium !!) will hopefully emerge healed, healthy, and still getting along with each other!

Hugs to you all,

The “McPack” – Sharyl, Steve and Lu (TOO MUCH FUN !)

Hand-woven and Knitted Wearable Art. –Sisters, OR

Breeder Comment

I know by now everything is back to normal. But–it took us entirely too long to post this entertaining story. Oh, Lu — so many stitches.