A Week After My Accident While Walking Escobar

Life as a dog parent can be full of unexpected twists, and last week was no exception. I had an adrenaline-rushing experience while walking my American Bully, Escobar, at Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City—a day that left me with an injured pinky finger and a new appreciation for caution.

The Scene at Greenfield District

With the designated dog park closed due to pandemic restrictions, I decided to let Escobar stretch his legs at a large, open parking area. It was 5 AM, just after the curfew had lifted, and the quiet, vacant lot seemed perfect for some off-leash play. The parking area is divided into two sections—one bustling with parked cars and the other completely empty. Naturally, I chose the vacant section, thinking it was safe.

Escobar, excited and full of energy, dashed around joyfully. But to my surprise—and growing panic—he suddenly bolted toward the active parking area where cars were pulling in. My heart raced as I imagined the worst-case scenario.

My finger looks like this.

(not mine) - this should how it looks like.

The Moment of Impact

I quickly called out to Escobar, and to my relief, he turned around and ran toward me. However, in his excitement, he sprinted past me at full speed. In my attempt to stop him, I grabbed for his chain, but instead of catching it firmly with my hand, my pinky finger ended up taking the full force.

At first, I felt no pain—just the rush of adrenaline and frustration at missing my grip. But when I glanced down at my hand, I was shocked to see my pinky bent at a sharp 90-degree angle. Without thinking, I instinctively pushed it back into place. I wasn’t sure if I had fixed it correctly, but I knew leaving it as it was would only make things worse.

The Aftermath

Once I calmed Escobar and got him back under control, I headed home. That’s when the numbness in my arm turned into a throbbing pain. I applied ice to reduce inflammation, but as the day went on, the pain worsened.

Now, a week later, the pain has subsided slightly, but my pinky is far from functional. Typing has become a challenge, and even small tasks like washing laundry can send sharp pain through my hand if the finger touches anything with force.

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Lessons Learned and Next Steps

I’ve decided to give myself another week to see if the inflammation and pain will heal on their own. If it doesn’t improve, I’ll need to visit a clinic to have it checked and possibly treated professionally.

This experience has taught me a few valuable lessons:

• Always stay alert and prepared when handling a large, energetic dog. Even in seemingly safe environments, unexpected things can happen.
• Don’t underestimate small injuries. What seemed minor at first turned out to be more serious than I thought.
• Adapt and learn. As much as Escobar loves to run free, I’ll make sure we stick to safer spaces moving forward.

Being a dog parent means accepting both the joys and the challenges. This incident was definitely a wake-up call, but it hasn’t dampened my love for Escobar or our shared adventures. I’ll keep you all updated on my recovery and, of course, on Escobar’s next escapades!

Have you ever had a similar experience with your pets? Share your stories in the comments—I’d love to hear how you handled them!