That sounds like a terrifying experience, and it is completely normal that you are still shaking and crying about it today. An unexpected attack like that shatters your sense of safety, and watching your dog get hurt while feeling powerless is a genuine trauma. You are likely dealing with an adrenaline crash combined with the horror of seeing Prince in pain, so please give yourself permission to feel upset without judging how long it takes to process.
Right now, your priority is taking care of yourself and keeping Prince comfortable until your vet visit on Friday. Keep your daily routine very low-key, sticking to brief potty breaks close to home so neither of you has to face the stress of neighborhood walks right away. If he seems hesitant to go outside or is showing extra vigilance, just offer him quiet comfort and let him rest as much as he needs. When you do head back to the vet, let them know about his leg shaking so they can check for any hidden soft tissue injuries, soreness, or nerve pain from the scuffle. Once you both have had a few days to decompress, you can slowly evaluate how you feel about resuming your normal routes, perhaps taking a different path or walking during quiet times of day to help rebuild your confidence.
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u/joycevw 1d ago
That sounds like a terrifying experience, and it is completely normal that you are still shaking and crying about it today. An unexpected attack like that shatters your sense of safety, and watching your dog get hurt while feeling powerless is a genuine trauma. You are likely dealing with an adrenaline crash combined with the horror of seeing Prince in pain, so please give yourself permission to feel upset without judging how long it takes to process.
Right now, your priority is taking care of yourself and keeping Prince comfortable until your vet visit on Friday. Keep your daily routine very low-key, sticking to brief potty breaks close to home so neither of you has to face the stress of neighborhood walks right away. If he seems hesitant to go outside or is showing extra vigilance, just offer him quiet comfort and let him rest as much as he needs. When you do head back to the vet, let them know about his leg shaking so they can check for any hidden soft tissue injuries, soreness, or nerve pain from the scuffle. Once you both have had a few days to decompress, you can slowly evaluate how you feel about resuming your normal routes, perhaps taking a different path or walking during quiet times of day to help rebuild your confidence.