Lucas was 8 weeks old and 18 pounds when he came to our home in May 2020. A true pandemic dog! I started taking him for walks at Riverview Elementary in Cascade Park where I began to meet other dog owners. Lucas became socialized with Dhasia, Cocoa, Henry, Lana, Cooper, Riley, Beau, Rocket and Ham. I would chat with LeAnn, Brian, Harold, Annette, Jane, Jerry and others. Soon we were exchanging phone numbers and would text when going to the school.
During the yearlong period we all were off work, the “Dog Pack” became our social group. We’d stand in a socially distanced circle in the large field behind the school and chat while our dogs played. One of the big jokes on me was that Lucas was supposed to be about 40 pounds, but no one told Lucas this and he just kept growing. He’s now an 86-pound, furry, bearlike dog.
On April 28, the dogs were chasing each other and running hard. I crouched down to tie my shoe when Lucas and several others came running towards me. I literally never saw what hit me, but having 86-plus pounds of one or more dogs slam into me felt like being hit by a car. The next thing I knew I was flat out on the grass with a badly broken collarbone and a mild concussion.
The group jumped into action, helping me up and rushing me to urgent care. I ended up requiring surgery, a metal plate and seven screws to fix my shoulder. After I was hurt and after my surgery, the Dog Pack took turns bringing delicious dinners for me and my mother. One of the Pack, who was out of town when I was hurt, arranged for flowers to be delivered.
