The Story of Achilles and Mouse
On February 4, 2009 our two Chihuahuas, Achilles and Mouse, were viciously attacked by an aggressive dog that forced its way into our fenced back yard. They both suffered multiple serious injuries to the face, head and neck. They have miraculously survived, and are doing as well as could be expected up to this point.
I came home after work to find Achilles on the back porch badly torn up and bleeding heavily from his mouth. I could not find Mouse at first. After searching the side yard I found him lying unconscious by the pond. His eye had been dislodged from the socked and was hanging out. I thought he was dead. We found that he had a heart beat, so my neighbor and I scooped them up and rushed them to the animal hospital.
From what we have gathered, the dog broke through the 6 foot wooden fence and came over another fence to where Mouse and Achilles were kept. It then attacked both dogs and took Mouse back over the fence to the large side yard where we found him.
Achilles has suffered a broken Jaw. He is in surgery to have it repaired. He also suffered multiple puncture wounds to his head neck. They have inserted many drainage tubes to help with the swelling and infection. Mouse has also suffered a broken jaw, and has suffered brain trauma. He has been given medication to help reduce the brain fluids. As for his eye, once he was revived he showed signs that the eye was still functioning. Once he was stabilized, the doctors and staff were able to anesthetize him briefly to place the eye back into the socket, however we will not know for a few weeks whether he will regain vision in this eye.
Achilles Mouse First trip out after surgery
We are extremely grateful to Dr. Lisa Labrecque and her amazing staff at San Diego Pet Hospital for doing such a good job with our little guys. Although the hospital does not provide 24 hour medical care, RosaLea, the staff nurse and patient liaison offered to stay overnight. The doctor’s husband brought in a cot and she stayed with them to comfort them and to give them medicine and pain control. Again, we are truly grateful to her and everyone there for their kind hearts and generosity.
As I’m sure you know, the medical bills for this level of trauma are high and with the ongoing care required, will undoubtedly get even higher. The immediate costs have been nearly five thousand dollars, and could be twice that amount for a full recovery. We are doing everything within our power to meet these immediate expenses. We are now reaching out to anyone that would be willing to help us with a donation, regardless of the amount.
We have set up a PayPal account to accept donations. Please contact us if you have any ideas or thoughts about this situation. We thank everyone who has taken the time to read this. If you would, please send a thought into the air for Achilles and Mouse. Donations can be sent either by mail or through Pay Pal.
Mail donations to:
Charlie Southern or Matthew Culley
2221 Alton Place
Lemon Grove, CA 91945
619-964-1072
619-321-9382
Send Pay-Pal donations to: https://www.paypal.com
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click send money to the email address below.
Chaz_pacific@yahoo.com
Thank you,
Charlie Southern and Matthew Culley
Update 2/7/09
I just wanted to send an update on Mouse and Achilles. I’d like to thank everyone for their kind emails, calls, support, and donations so far. They are both doing well. Achilles had his jaw surgery on Thursday and he’s on the road to recovery. He is still being treated for his wounds, infection, and pain.
Mouse was stable enough to have his jaw surgery yesterday. He’s alert and they are still watching the brain swelling and making sure that is addressed. They also went ahead and opened his eye. The eye looks to be working, meaning it moves with the other one but it is still yet to be determined if it can be saved. They will be staying in the hospital on IV fluids through the weekend. Once they come home they will require around-the-clock care from us for the next 8 weeks, along with follow-up to assess their wounds, change dressings, and monitor their jaw fractures. In 8 weeks they will have a final surgery to remove the external fixators.
A big thank you to Dr. Diana Jones, the surgery specialist who came in to repair their mandibular fractures. She generously discounted their surgery bill to help out the cause!
Ready to Go Home!
I went to the vet this morning to see the little guys and bring RosaLea some much-needed coffee. She has been so gracious to offer her services last night free of charge to help out. Again, much thanks to Dr. Labrecque and staff at San Diego Pet Hospital for going above and beyond the call of duty. And again I’d like to thank everyone who has helped out with donations and support.
Any other generosity is greatly appreciated. We are looking at a bill today of about $7,000.00, and it looks like their full recovery will be around $12-13,000.00.
Thank you all so much and please contact me if you have any ideas about fundraising or suggestions with their ongoing care here at home.
With Much Thanks,
Charlie Southern
2221 Alton Place
Lemon Grove, CA 91945
619-964-1072
Chaz_pacific@yahoo.com
Update 2/10/09
Good Afternoon Everyone,
I just wanted to send out an update. The Boys are home and doing well. They are active and slowly getting their appetite back. Were having a little trouble getting Achilles to eat or drink, so hopefully he will start on his own.
Our Vet at San Diego Pet hospital has put up a page on their site to help with donations and to share our story. Their website says “Veterinary care from the heart.” and it truly is. I would say if you have a littly furry friend of your own, and want to make sure they’re getting the best care and are truly looked after, and if you live anywhere in the San Diego Area, they come Highly Recommended.
I again want to thank everyone for their, emails, phone calls, donations and support. We are forever grateful. We are still working to get this bill paid so any further assistance is greatly appreciated.
We are going to be passing out fliers to coffee shops, pet shops, animal hospitals and grocery stores. So if you would like a pdf of the flier just let me know.
We have also made the decision to liquidate all our posessions to make this happen, but unfortunately that still won’t be enough. I will give updates as to where these things can be viewed and purchased if desired.
Again, Thank you all for your thoughts. I have not updated photobucket yet but I will be doing so shortly so you can all see their road to recovery. If you would spread the word by forwarding this email, I would be indebted to you forever.
With Much Love,
Charlie Southern
2221 Alton Place
Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Paypal donations to: Chaz_pacific@yahoo.com
Mail to the address above.
Update 2/11/09
Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to send a quick email update and to send a personal thank you to Derrik Chin at The San Diego Union Tribune for posting our story. You can find the link below and please share it with your friends. Thank You So Much Derrik!
http://www.signonsandiego.com/entertainment/street/quicklist/
Mouse and Achilles went back to see Dr. Labrecque today. Mouse’s red cell blood count is back within normal range, and the ulcer in his eye is shrinking and the chances of him being able to keep his eye are getting better.
Achilles is having problems with his mandible fixture so he will be going back first thing tomorrow for x rays. He also has nerve damage to the left side of his face that is affecting the function of his tear-producing glands. He is not currently able to produce his own tears, so he requires artifical tears lubricant several times a day. Hopefully this will resolve with time as the nerves heal. Both dogs are starting to get their appetites back and showing signs of continued strength.
Again, thank You Derrik, San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Pet Hospital and everyone reading these updates. Thank you everyone for all the emails, phone calls, letters and donations. Your continued support has been wonderful.
With Much Appreciation,
Charlie Southern
2221 Alton Place
Lemon Grove, CA 91945
619-964-1072
