Puncture marks and scratches covered the tiny black-haired body as Dayna Denman bent down to see the damage. Two neighbourhood dogs had savaged the miniature pot-bellied pig, whose one ear seemed hanging by a thread.
"He looked like he was dead," said Denman, remembering the terrifying afternoon three weeks ago near their five-acre property in Shelley. The 23-year-old rushed home from her work as a dental clinic receptionist when the neighbours found Rex deep in the bush, only visible because of his screams.
She calls 10-month-old Rex her baby and is grateful for Green Mobile Veternarian Clinic and its tireless work that made the seemingly impossible task of saving Rex's life a reality.
As she cradled Rex in the truck, she remembers blowing softly in his face to keep him awake.
"Both tricep tendons have ruptured which normally is fatal as they would not be able to use those legs anymore," she wrote in an update. "Everyday I see him I continue to be amazed by the care he is receiving."
The first few days after the attack were spent flushing his wounds and removing the dead tissue.
"Tissue keeps dying until it heals," Denman explained, but the ears showed no sign of healing. "They became crispy and there was no blood flow."
Rex lost both ears, but Denman is happy his hearing is fine. She and boyfriend Damon Thibaudeau would help too, putting on ointments and flushing the wound.
The prognosis looked pretty bad when she learned both tricep tendons were ruptured. That likely meant amputation and top-heavy pigs don't do well with missing limbs, which likely meant he would be put down.
"I had a meltdown at the vets thinking I was pushing him beyond the limits, thinking I'm being selfish," said Denman, but recalled Dr. Jodyne Green's kind words and assurances. "He was doing well and fighting for his life (and we) should keep trying because he wants to."
Now, she knows it was the right decision and she's starting to see some of his personality come back as well as pink tissue and hair growth - a sure sign of recovery.
"He's very intelligent, he's very smart. He's kind of goofy. He's always pawing and wanting to play," said Denman, adding she hopes he'll be able to use the right leg again to keep up with her border collies, in a little scooter. "He loves people and he loves music. The more people talking around him, the better."
Now he moves around an a little scooter the clinic made for him, and Denman can see him wagging his tail like he used to.
She doesn't hold any ill will towards the neighbours or dogs.
"Dogs will be dogs," she said. "I don't want any negative comments about them."
She also thanked an anonymous donor for the $100 left for Rex at the clinic. As for the bill?
"Didn't ask and I don't care. I'll deal with it when I know he's better," said Denman, who visits Rex twice a day.
It looks like Rex could be home in seven to 10 days but the experience has left her cautious.
"It's a big relief. I'm so happy. I don't want to get too excited too soon."
