Maybe We Should Go Back

Baby's First "scare-mommy-to-death"

As the title suggests, Ethan officially had his first mommy-has-a-heart-attack event yesterday.

All things considered, before the event it was a great Christmas. Hubby bought me a beautiful blue purse and Betty Page wallet to match, and I pitched in with my mom to get him a welding helmet so he no longer has to blind himself working on cars. Ethan got more toys than he could handle. And we had his parents and two of our close friends spend the day with us.

After Christmas dinner we gave the bone from the Christmas ham to our dog, which we do every year. Ethan has become obsessed with Ranger (the dog) lately and it's fucking adorable. He squeals with glee if he so much as looks at the dog, and Ranger is good natured enough to not react as Ethan "pets" him or pulls on him.

Last night as the dog was eating his bone, I guess Ethan tried to take it because Ranger freaked out and bit him on his cheek. It was more of a nip than a real bite and the skin was only broken in one small place, but there was a horrific bruise already forming. I was taking a piss when this happened, so first I heard the dog bark and then Ethan wailing. I jumped off that toilet and, still pulling my pants on, ran out of the room to find my husband holding Ethan and my in-laws and friends freaking out.

My heart stopped when I saw Ethan's poor little face and blood running down his cheek, but I couldn't show it because we had to help him calm down and feel safe again. He eventually did, and I was able to get an alcohol wipe and a band-aid on the broken skin. When I went back to the bedroom alone, I broke down sobbing and had a panic attack, but then I composed myself and went back outside to say goodnight to everyone and put Ethan to bed.

Let me make this clear: I do not blame my dog and I'm not angry with him. Ranger is very old, and he is used to the bachelor life with just me and my husband. He has never been fond of kids but has basically tolerated Ethan as well as he can. But dogs have instincts, and one of those instincts is to guard their stuff, whatever it may be. Ranger puts up with Ethan getting on his bed, taking his toys and even eating his food (yes, it happened. The kid will even eat leaves if he finds them!). But this special bone was the last straw I suppose.

My biggest fear in all of it, after seeing that Ethan was okay, was that he would fear dogs or hate Ranger. My fears were unfounded though. This morning Ethan and Ranger were best friends again, but we will never make the mistake of giving him a bone before Ethan goes to bed ever again.

Ethan is so fearless I know I will face many more of these horrifying moments in the future, but I hope the next one is not anytime soon.

Pic is of Ethan in his Christmas outfit, before the incident. :)