It's around 8:30 am Sunday (12/28/2008) when I call on the phone: "... Snow is dying ... it was attacked ... thrown in the snow, still breathing but he's already the vultures [are actually crows!] who go around the ... " ?? I'm still asleep and it takes me a while to realize what's going on ...
They're referring to Snow White (Snow to do that before) which is a beautiful cagnolona type Abruzzese shepherd, arrived in the village, Castel del Monte, a couple of years ago, was held at the beginning of approaching with caution outside the town only to find food while avoiding the other dogs already firmly established, slowly has also included her and her sweet nature has earned more than one person, and many children with whom they love being together. Living with her two "cubs" that, thanks to his presence and his strength of character as well as physical, have become very docile and contend the blandishments of those who approach them (with the right calm). They have become almost a tourist attraction: a white which is the pack leader Cagnona to two cubs. Some newspapers talk about it.
Coming Sunday ...
I rush to assess the situation. I find it sunk in the snow. He left behind a series of spots, streaks of bright red blood to paint the white snow around her. Check that there are bits of flesh with the blood. There are not, fortunately. I approach her on your side who is trembling. The legs are all red and wet with blood. It has already lost a lot and stay so long in the cold (perhaps from 3 am) in those conditions is leading in the hypothermia. After checking that there are no injuries to the abdomen and throat, and fractures evident, I can slip carefully on a sleeping bag that I always have with me in the car emergencies. I should seek help from some passers-by to place it in a nearby garage to be able to better examine and organize the trip to a veterinarian for initial treatment. On Sundays it is not easy for people, you know, get help, just imagine for a stray dog. After some 'phone calls can contact a vet and put myself in study trip to L'Aquila, including dense fog, snow and icy road surface. Meanwhile, White has stopped shaking and is warming up wrapped in my sleeping bag. Every time I hear it take long sigh and try to understand the rearview mirror if he was in agony. He does not move for long moments, then I see the legs move to the rhythm of his breath, a sign that is alive.
When I open the door rear of the car, on arrival to the vet, it is still confused, but the look is a bit 'more alert.
We bring the same studio with all my sleeping bag because it does not make it and take it into his arm in danger of them too badly. The
are found several bites to the legs both front and rear, tearing the skin and perforation of the ear of another. Only some of the holes caused by the canine attacker may be sutured, while the majority of injuries to the legs and neck must be left open to avoid moisture accumulation of serum (also seen that there are deep holes and tears in the muscles ). Is placed in a drip and given antibiotics and other medicines.
This is just placed in her cage that he accepted it for a couple of days necessary to stabilize and take exams rite (CBC, etc ...)
I make a bit 'of pampering, the greeting and allotment to the house. Arriving in town, ask around news and I am told that there would be a witness who would have witnessed the assault: was the work of a wolf and big ones. At first, rest a bit 'skeptical, but having personally seen one not long ago near the village not just hard to believe. I can not even talk to this person who would have witnessed the fact, but knowing enough about the behavior of Snow White and the two cubs I can imagine how it went: the wolf (not a simple Apennine wolf, but perhaps one of the copies of eastern Europe, introduced in central Italy in recent years, the average weight of about 60-70kg) should be approached with hunger, to bins in which they were disposed of the remains of a restaurant and he would find the strength of Cagnoni and the two cubs who were trying to defend their territory (and the people who live there), it resulted in a violent brawl in which White has tried to assert his rank as a dominant but where was the worst. The thing that is not entirely clear is the fact that the wounds are on all four legs and neck: this would suggest that most animals have vice at the same time, since she is young and healthy and able to defend themselves. 
Having seen many fights between dogs, I can testify that not all members of a group are joining forces against a foreign enemy "but it happens sometimes that, at most excited, be attacked by all the individual that is grounded and is about to be overwhelmed, even by his own comrades (which is why no action is taken never to quell a fight between dogs screaming and hitting left and right who are above the weakest at the moment, there is a risk to escalate it because it's like if you participate actively in the fight against itself instead of what we would like to defend). This could also be successful with the two cubs, which then, when calm returned, they watched Snow White preventing all close to my arrival: a situation of extreme tension that may have participated in (temporarily), even against their own fellow pack leader . Or, most likely, the two cubs have distracted the attacker, attacking on two fronts simultaneously, preventing the mortally wounded Cagnoni. This may have meant that the wolf has not been able to maintain a steady grip in the long and instead has repeatedly attacked the dog in trouble now that he could only defend itself on the back and remaining on the ground with the opposing legs. However the fact remains that wounds worst bear the imprint of canines too far apart for the size of the two cubs which remain very attached to their companion when I left to take her to the vet, I ran after him until they could and my return did everything they could to control my car ... I have come to look for the next day, as consolation for the loss ... fortunately only temporary! Yeah, because now White seems out of danger, although the complete recovery will be long. Yesterday morning (31/12/2008) I went to visit the kennels health of the ASL of L'Aquila and for the first time she got up on its own legs. It 's still very weak and swollen and the wounds are still open, but made me realize that he liked the visit, so that already tried to slip in the door to go out (she knows the way, as has been sterilized in that kennel and we spent the week of hospital stay). As if to say: "Let's go home! I'll be good ..." Look at that face he does! ^ _ ^
not wait to get back "home" by her two cubs, but I like to think that someone reads these lines and falling in love with her and wants to decide to give it a real house and lots of love. She is a great companions and get along with everyone (except cats and foxes), it is very impetuous in making the party who gives him a bit of attention, so it gave some 'to avoid an obstacle that will beat for land, but is very intelligent and understands when it is said to be in place. E 'already sterilized and microchipped.
Help me get her back as he was carefree and happy in this video that I shot just a month ago. Help me not to make them more at risk of another confrontation like the one that has recently faced prejudice to make the life of a vagabond. I do not know yet what will be "guest" of the kennel health. When the wounds are no longer at risk of infection I have to put it back on the road. There will not be able to protect it in case of danger. If you know someone who wants to carry around this cuddly, who never complains and loves to drive right to the heart of the company, give them well my email. Do spread the word. Thanks.
* Yesterday, 03/01/2009, Snow White has been brought under general anesthesia, an operation to remove some of areas with necrosis who were helping to spread infection: the damage was extending on both the package and on some areas of the feet, where the signs of the bites were more profound. It 'been properly medicated and bandaged and now wears an Elizabethan collar to prevent it from touching the wounds. Nibble little and it will take some time to resume normal appetite. E 'was placed in a more protected area of \u200b\u200bthe kennel so that it to better withstand the cold of these days, given also its conditions.
05/01/2009 ** Snow White had a new a new anesthesia and surgery.
Unfortunately, previous surgery was not possible to complete the cleansing and disinfection in depth view of the large area involved in the neck. This time it was removed a large amount of necrotic skin and were now brought together the remaining flaps sutured with stitches and the insertion of a drainage tube to prevent the accumulation of serum and the extension of the lesion tissue surroundings. The prognosis is at least a week after which you decide what to do. Now at the kennel health of the ASL deL'Aquila but just completely healed from the wounds must be returned to the territory, or the chill of winter and mountain without shelter, with shaved hair on the legs and neck. 
urgently need a stall to make a full recovery until the hair grows back and maybe an adoption order to avoid a new confrontation with other animals that now have forces to defend themselves. She is going all out there, but despite being young and strong is very experienced from this incident that has happened and would need someone who is close to psychologically get over the emotional trauma of the attack and recover completely. The wounds are not only visible on His torn flesh but also the shock of an emotional level. 
Help me get her back happy and carefree as it was before. How was this photo of just two months ago. 
In the photo below was enjoying the sun with one of the cubs with whom he lived until he suffered the attack ... 
For information, to a temporary stall and / or eventual adoption, please contact me at these numbers:
3339209840 - 3386109788-3405950070
or write to my mail: berniealbatross@gmail.com
05/01/2009 ** Snow White had a new a new anesthesia and surgery.
Unfortunately, previous surgery was not possible to complete the cleansing and disinfection in depth view of the large area involved in the neck. This time it was removed a large amount of necrotic skin and were now brought together the remaining flaps sutured with stitches and the insertion of a drainage tube to prevent the accumulation of serum and the extension of the lesion tissue surroundings. The prognosis is at least a week after which you decide what to do. Now at the kennel health of the ASL deL'Aquila but just completely healed from the wounds must be returned to the territory, or the chill of winter and mountain without shelter, with shaved hair on the legs and neck. 
urgently need a stall to make a full recovery until the hair grows back and maybe an adoption order to avoid a new confrontation with other animals that now have forces to defend themselves. She is going all out there, but despite being young and strong is very experienced from this incident that has happened and would need someone who is close to psychologically get over the emotional trauma of the attack and recover completely. The wounds are not only visible on His torn flesh but also the shock of an emotional level. 
Help me get her back happy and carefree as it was before. How was this photo of just two months ago. 
In the photo below was enjoying the sun with one of the cubs with whom he lived until he suffered the attack ... 
For information, to a temporary stall and / or eventual adoption, please contact me at these numbers: 3339209840 - 3386109788-3405950070
or write to my mail: berniealbatross@gmail.com
