Covered in sores and a few stitches at first glance, Xenia may look weak, but after getting attacked by a bear and surviving Scarlett McGrady says her siberian husky is stronger than ever.
It all started nearly two weeks ago when McGrady called home to tell her children she would be a little late coming home from work.
That's when her daughter, Cheyenne, told her Xenia had been hurt very badly and needed help.
The dog ran into the woods near The Troutdale Community Playground right across from the the family's home and ran out covered in blood, said Cheyenne.
Her first thought was that "somebody shot her."
McGrady says she called one of her best friends, Lishia Grubb who lives nearby, and asked her to check on the children and the dog.
When Grubb arrived she and the children rushed Xenia to Twin Oaks Veterinary Hospital in Sparta, N.C.
While Grubb drove, Cheyenne and her brother were in the back seat applying pressure to Xenia's wounds.
"I was a little concerned that she was going to bleed to death," said Grubb.
The family later learned instead of a bullet, it was a bear.
They say a neighbor saw the wild animal attacking Xenia, fired a shot in the air to scare the bear away and it worked...giving Xenia time to run back home....barely.
"I never thought about a bear," said McGrady after arriving to the hospital and seeing her beloved family pet. "That's one more worry I'll have to add to my list. I was devastated. I was crying."
Unfortunately, doctors had to amputate Xenia's leg, but she's getting along fine without it. "She's naturally taken to her three legs," said McGrady. "She has trouble coming up and down the stairs and jumping on the furniture, but I think in a couple of weeks she'll be as good as new."
In the meantime, Xenia is making some new requests.
When it's time to eat, she won't, unless someone spoon feeds her.
She's also craving more attention.
Her family doesn't mind at all. They're just glad she's still around for them to give it to her.
McGrady says Xenia's stitches will come out next Monday.
She'll also have regular checkups until all of her scars heal.
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