It started off as any other day, a bright sunny Monday afternoon in Southern California. My dog Crash and I were enjoying our daily walk to the community dog park. This was a place where we went often because he loved to dig, run, bark and play. I noticed that my Parkinson’s was a little off, but I knew I could handle walking my pooch. I can’t live under a rock just because my PD is acting up… plus being under a rock sounds painful. What if the rock was heavy? I digress… With a wagging tail and a wet nose Crash approaches the gate and we see two pit bulls enjoying an off-leash romp. Then one of the hounds detects Crash on the opposite side of the fence and runs to the gate and starts aggressively barking at us. With teeth and foamy mouth it was obvious that our presence wasn’t welcomed. The owner stated they were just leaving, as he begins to put on their metal prong collars, Crash and I moved away from the fencing to give them room to exit the park.
Now before I go any further… there are bits of information that you would be helpful to note. As many of you read my last blog, (which you should because it’s kind of mind-blowing) I was trying focus on the positive things I can still do regardless of my health because I having a difficult time with my Parkinson’s symptoms. My fluctuations were so dramatic that I would go from extreme dyskinesia to slow as sloth (although an adorable sloth)… at any time, without warning. My normal medication regimen wasn’t effective and the unpredictability made my daily life daunting. I knew something was wrong… but what?
After trying to control this change with adjusting my medication, with no luck, we turned to my Deep Brain Stimulators, which were placed in 2010. But it was the last thing we thought it could be, seeing as I had just gotten my batteries replaced in January. Then Detective Perky and her PD Wolfpack got a break in the case. A side effect! What started as a feeling of muscle spasms underneath my armpit later progressed to electrical jolts felt throughout my whole body. And yes, it wasn’t a pleasant jolt, like a delicious cup of coffee in the morning. It was more like, “Why am I being poked by a cattle prod?”
So we decided that my Neurosurgeon replace my right side battery and the wiring up to my connector… which goes up to my brain… like all up in there. Even though they didn’t need to go back into my brain…. Bonus… I was still going to have an incision behind my ear and in my armpit, where the battery is located. So that’s the plan…. another surgery… and we didn’t even know what we were looking for. We were just going off my side effects and the fluctuations. I kind of felt that my name should have been switched to Sparky the Parkie… but I had faith that my PD Wolfpack would figure it all out.
Now let’s jump back to the beginning of my story… bright sunny day… crazy mad pit bulls… Crash and I moving out of the way… y’all caught up? The two pit pulls where being wrangled up by the owner. As the man placed metal prong collars around their necks he says, “They never act this way” as they were growling, barking, and pulling on their collars with the intention to devour Crash and I. They started to exit the gates of the dog park. At this point I didn’t feel threatened. We were at a safe distance, and the owner had them controlled (as much as he could) with their metal collars. But then it happens. With a snap of the choker one dog is free and sprinting towards us. Everything went into slow motion. It felt like a dream.
Within seconds, the pit bull had Crash by the neck and shaking him. In a chaotic blur, somehow the second dog got free and they were now both on top attacking him. The air was full of screams, growls, and yelping from Crash. I felt helpless. I was kicking the dogs, but they didn’t flinch. At one point Crash tried to crawl up on me, and our eyes met. I tried to pull him up, but the pit bulls kept pulling him down to the ground. Then the owner of the pit bulls jumped on Crash and I spotted my chance to pull him out from under the man and turned my back to the attack. Finally, the owner had control of his ________________ dogs. (Feel free to fill in the blank)… I have many words that came to mind.
Hearing the commotion, a community maintenance man drove his golf cart over to investigate. When he offered to drive me to my apartment so I could get Crash to the Veterinarian, I could barely move. My Parkinson’s was so bad from the stress of the event. As I move slowly to his golf cart, I begin to cry. My rigid, slow and shaky body wasn’t able to protect Crash. My disease impacted how fast I reacted. I felt so helpless. I couldn’t even think of what the next step was to do. Call the Veterinarian or just get in my car and drive…. but drive where? As I sit in the golf cart with Crash on my lap shaking, I look up to see the owner of the pit bulls kneeling on the ground restraining his dogs. Both dogs were covered in Crash’s blood.
Crash went into surgery that night to repair his injuries, needless to say, I had very little sleep. I kept thinking about how lucky we both were. I didn’t even think twice of getting injured when I tried to stop the attack and Crash, although traumatized, was going to make a full recovery…. well except for a little doggy PTSD therapy. The following morning I was able to pick my dog-son up and let me tell you, I got a dose of what it must feel like being a parent with sick kid. Just seeing him with the all his staples and drains. I just wanted to take away his pain. I almost wished that I had gotten attacked… and what’s worse…. He was wearing the cone of shame.
Although my surgery was the following day, all my attention was focused on my injured pooch. My Dad came from Arizona to help Crash and I recover. The morning of my surgery, I took “Uber” to the hospital… who does that? The intention was to have my Dad stay with Crash, who couldn’t even walk and needing medication every few hours. Then my Dad could pick me up from after I recovered from my surgery and then of course take me to Yogurtland. Who cares that I looked like I got hit by a truck and was sporting a mesh head wrap… obviously I was high on pain medication. Don’t judge me.
My surgery went famously… except for a few pictures my Dad took for blackmail. Thanks Dad! You really captured the moment. They did find the cause of my shocking. It was a wire that got cut at some point. So the fluctuations that I had been struggling with was due to a faulty wire… I was not crazy!!! There was a mechanical reason that I was not getting symptom relief. Now before you start asking questions… we don’t know how we got a slice in my wire. It is what it is. Sometimes things just happen, especially with medical technology. I don’t view this as something that would make me apprehensive about getting DBS… It’s kind of like getting maintenance on your car. They looked under my hood and realized that we had a problem. So the battery and connector were replaced and I am back on the road again.
So now, Crash and I are recovering together. He has 15 staples on his neck and I have 14 staples behind my ear. He has 16 stables on his inner thigh and I have sutures under my armpit. He had to wear pants so he couldn’t lick his wounds. I had to wear bandages so I didn’t lick my wounds. Crash and I are even getting out staples out on the same day. This week we have been recovering by binge watching Netflix and Hulu, taking our pain medication and antibiotics topped off with … of course Fro Yo! Hey, it’s packed with a ton of healthy bacteria, so I hear.
This situation made me aware of how difficult Parkinson’s is to deal with alone. I couldn’t have done it without my Dad! Then when he had to go back home, I had my PD Wolfpack to fall back on. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It was a difficult thing for me to do but I found that there’s a ton of love and support out there if you just reach out.
I am a 72 year old man with PD. You are a inspiration to those. of us that are livening with PD..Keep up the good work. You show that PD is not the end of the line so do not loose your sense of humor. Life is still worth living with gusto.
Wow, glad the both of you are on the road to recovery. Don’t know what I would do if anything like that were to happen to my dog.
Prayers wifi you and precious dog…
So sorry Allison for yours and Crash’s traumatic experience, but glad you are both recovering.
And that you found the reason for your distress and got it fixed. You are so brave. I love reading your
blog, you always seem to find the sunshine in difficult situations. Bless you.
Thank you! That’s so sweet of you to take the time to share your thoughts!
Allison Allison Allison OMG
You continue to amaze me All my love to you and Crash💙💜❤️💚
I feel the love! Thank you!
So glad you and crash (such a cutie) are getting better. I would not feel guilty having pit owner pay bill. Also don’t think those pit bull s should be allowed in dog park.., please relax and dont try to rush recovery and your dad iss super. love your posts
Wow now that’s a crazy few days! I think your attitude is remarkable! Ty for sharing I enjoy your writings😊
I have two small dogs –Finn and Pebble– that keep me company everyday. They seem to get my PD better than most my friends and family. They know when to sit quietly and close and when it is okay to play mountain goat…I am the mounTain. Their unconditional love feeds my soul., I have no doubt that Crash is going to have a speedy recovery as he enjoys the extra couch time with you and your dad.
smile – peace and comfort are in your future….
What a terrible experience! I am so glad that you both are recovering well…. And that you have each other! Thank you for all your posts and for being such an inspiration! Sending you both much love.
Jay and I are sending love to you and your precious Crash. What a horrible experience. You two are such a loving couple, your mutual affection will heal you both in no time.
Very surprising the Recovery Room had the newly released Fro-yo inter venous drip!
Dear Perkie,
You had me on the edge of my chair there!!! So relieved to hear that you and Crash are recovering well together! He is so precious. As you know, I also have DBS and have had PD for 24years:
I was taking a walk one day when this giant, unfriendly dog tore out of a house and ran right for me, followed by a freaked out owner. I grabbed on to a stop sign for balance and screamed to the owner (at the top of my lungs) I HAVE PARKINSONS SO GET THIS DOG UNDER CONTROL N-O-W. in fact, screaming has been very helpful. (i.e. “I HAVE PARKINSONS. PLEASE GET YOUR (CHILD-CAT-HORSE-WHATEVER under control NOW! I’m not one for making a scene but I make a lot of noise1 This owner of two vicious pitts were messing with a sweet defenseless dog and a woman who is dependent on sophisticated technology for her daily well-being.,This owner is getting off cheap.
Second, Do you have a health insurance policy for Crash? It’s not very expensive and for me it’s more than helpful with my 21-year-old cat. I have PetPlan but there are many companies Pet’s Best… google.
Luv Ya, Ally… thanks for sharing that chilling experience!
So relieved to hear that you and Crash are okay and recovering! My heart was racing as I read what happened. What a team. Note to self: never trust a pitbull.
Dear Alison, I am so glad to hear that your precious little Crash survived a horrible attack and that you and the doctors discovered what was wrong with your wires ! My husband has Parkinson’s (Dave) and we love reading your “The Perky Parkie”, you are an inspiration to all of us showing your strength and humour. Dave and I send you and Crash our love.
Thank you for your sweet comment.
I read this holding my breath because it was so vivid and violent. Jeepers! I can’t believe all you go through and still you bounce back and tell it with verve and a twinkle in your eye. I am amazed at your life and your writing. It’s all incredible.
Best wishes for you and Crash to have a speedy recovery.
Thank you Bruce.
Goodness ! What a week you’ve had. Glad you and crash are recovering. Hope you are having lots of fro yo😊
Dear Alison, I’m so sorry to hear about you and Crash!!! I can imagine how terrifying your ordeal was. You are both in my prayers for a speedy recovery. Your PD friend, Diana Rivers
What a terrible experience for both of you. How do you manage to stay so positive and upbeat? I do hope that you have fantastic results from your DBS. You deserve it for sure!
I look for the positive things in my life…. And eat tons of fro yo!
So happy to hear that you and your little buddy are on the mend.
Your bond with Crash is so beautiful.
Cheers to your Dad for being there, once again, when you needed him
You’re blessed in so many ways….
Wow ! You and Crash deserve a break ,do something totally self indulgent and maybe get Crash his favorite food ( raw Hamburg or a nice chewy bone?) .
For once Perky’s Parkinsons was irrelevant to the outcome of the situation. You could have been M.M.A. heavy weight champion or had a gun and nothing would have changed the outcome. You did everything right and both of you survived.
Pit Bulls are predators and bred for decades to kill. About 6 months ago here in the Charleston area the owner of a pit bull tried to intervene when her dog attacked the dog next door. Her dog ripped her arm completely off. When her husband got home he argued with police about having the dog put down until they held up the biohazard bag with his wife’s arm in it. Perky you did the right thing, you and Crash were both very brave.
I’m so glad to hear you are both on the mend. What an ordeal! I commend you on finding humor in it all. Sending lots of get well wishes, you rock!!!
You show such strength. All the best wishes to you and your little dog. The owner of those pit bulls should be paying you for pain and suffering as well as your dog’s vet bills.
You are both so brave and strong to come through your ordeals. I had misty eyes reading your story. If I could wiggle my nose, and create magic, I would to zap myself to you both to help in any way possible.
And here I was carping about going to dopamine-draining Costco this afternoon!!
Be well, both of you, soon
~donna
Donna, Thank you for your wishes to help us! And about that dopamine-draining Costco…it’s also called the money draining Costco! Good Luck!
Only you could turn around a highly traumatic situation, and turn it into a black comedic story! Crash was a target. I am amazed that the owner didn’t do more for you both. So glad you determined it could be DBS mechanics. You’ll be good as new in no time ! (did I say as good as new? – I meant as good as you were prior to these incidents)
Love it! My life is a black comedy…. sometimes you just have to laugh at the craziness. Like is this really happening?!
I hope the owner of the pits is paying for Crash’s medical ,
Bills. My daughter was walking her little terrier on her moms farm and Rosie was attacked by 2 pits, Carlee had to beat the two with a stick before they took off, Carlee was 10 and had to carry little Rosie a half mile home.. It was not pretty.. Rosie’s intestines were hanging out..we made it to the Vet. Rosie came home a week later, stitched from chin to rectum with a pretty natty body bandage. We opened the door to let Rosie out and she made a bee line to the horse pasture and rolled in a nice fresh pile of manure. It was then I knew she would be ok.
Get better you 2 !
You better believe the owner is paying for the $2500 vet bill. Not very willing, but it got covered! So happy to hear Rosie made it through such a scary attack!