How I met a pitbull...

23rd February 2009

Serving can be dangerous!

A few weeks ago I was serving up at a kids holiday program in Moree. Early Wednesday morning most of our team was either doing bus runs to pick up kids or was preparing breakfast for the kids who had already arrived. I decided that this would be a good opportunity to get a headstart on preparing for the morning's games, so I'd grabbed our sports gear and headed next door to the footy field to start setting up.

To cut a long story short, a pack of 4 dogs, including 1 pitbull, decided that I seemed like a tasty snack and came at me. The pitbull managed to rip a pretty nice looking chunk out of my right leg!! If you've got a strong stomach and haven't eaten lately, then mouseover the images below to check out some photos!

God is good.

Anyways, after 2 lots of surgery and a couple of weeks resting at home, I'm back at work and loving it! Here's the stuff I'm grateful for through the whole experience...

That it was me out on that field and not someone else - Some of the kids at our program were as young as 3 or 4, so it's scary to think of what the outcome could have been if it was one of them out on the field with 4 dogs. A few kids also walk across the football field in the mornings to get to program, so it really is a miracle that none of the kids were attacked.
That I got away as easily as I did - 4 dogs vs. 1 person doesn't sound like very good odds, and I was so fortunate to get away with only one bite. The dogs actually knocked me over at one point but then amazingly they backed off and I was able to get out of there. It was a real Daniel-and-the-lion's-den kind of experience! (Check out Daniel chapter 6 in the Bible if you've got no idea what I'm talking about!)
That I've been amazingly pain-free through the whole process - You'd probably imagine that a dogbite would hurt some, but I've had a pretty easy time! The most painful part of the whole process was when the nurse needed to remove my 'vac-dressing'. It was pretty much the equivalent of having masking tape stuck to my leg for 5 days and then being ripped off in the most un-sympathetic way possible. I lost about half of my leg hairs between the knee and the ankle I reckon!!
That I have the coolest conversation-starter - Yes, I will have a big scar on my leg probably for the rest of my life. But it's going to be an awesome tool for connecting with youth in my local area. Who wouldn't want to hear about a guy who got attacked by a pack of dogs? Especially when he's got the hole in his leg to prove it.
That God helped me handle the situation well - Throughout the whole situation, I've never lost sight of the fact that God loves me and that he has a plan and a purpose for my life. So I've just kept reminding myself that regardless of what's happened, he's in control and he will make this situation work for good! My natural self might have been inclined to panic and stress, but because of God I've been able to stay positive even during the awkward and uncomfortable times! (Like when I spent 20 minutes chillaxing with nurses and doctors while lying on the operating table because the surgeon was running late! True story!)

God is good.

Catch yas round!

Jarrod Newton

The photos (enter at your own risk!)

These photos show a real-life dog bite - if you don't think you've got the stomach for it then please don't go any further!

Hold your mouse over the images below to view the photos.

After 1st surgery The VAC dressing The other side of my leg After the skin graft

Comments

Darcy

April 25, 2009 at 12:03pm

Thanks for the photos Jarrod. I know it's my fault for looking at them, but I really didn't need to see the skin graft.

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