PAINFUL REAL LIFE
Abby Hay, 29, from Dalkeith, took atumble that changed her life forever…
Walking through my home, a pitter patter of little paws were right behind me.
Pouncing at my feet, my Chihuahua puppy Ru wanted to play.
Named after Ru Paul, Ru was acheeky girl and loved chasing my feet as Iwalked through the house.
Going down on her front paws, she would yap excitedly at your feet.
But Iadored her.
I’d always grown up around dogs –but they were always bigger breeds like French Mastiffs, and I’d wanted acute Chihuahua since Iwas alittle girl. My parents had always said no though –aChihuahua would be too small around our bigger dogs.
But in October 2019, my partner Sarah, 34, and Iwere looking for adog of our own and came across alitter of Chihuahua puppies through a friend on Facebook.
Ru was the last one and she was perfect.
Attached to my hip, Ru followed me everywhere.
And by 27 June 2020, at eight months old, Ru was still my shadow.
With lockdown easing slightly, me, Sarah, my aunty Linda, 61, mother-in-law Meg, 68, sister Shauna, 48, and her son Fraser, 12, planned to go to acafé together for the afternoon.
‘I’m just going to grab a jumper,’ I said, heading upstairs –despite it being summer, Scottish weather was always unpredictable. ‘Come on, Ru.’
Ru had her crate up in my room and while I’d never leave her in there for longer than an hour or two, it would stop her chewing while we were out.
Running up the stairs, Ru was right behind me.
And as Iwas moving quite quickly, I think Ru thought I wanted to play.
When Iturned to head back down the stairs, Ru must have escaped from the crate –she darted in front of me, pouncing at my feet as she normally would to play.
Only, she’d never tried to play on the stairs before.
As Ru was the same size as abag of sugar, we always tried to be super careful around her, not wanting to step on her and accidentally hurt her.
Only as I shifted my right foot to step over her, Ru moved in front of me again.
As I tried to reach past Ru to the next step, Ihad misjudged the distance.
Before Iknew it, Iwas tumbling down the stairs.
In the blink of an eye, I’d fallen down 16 steps.
Landing on my right foot, at first, I couldn’t feel anything – Ihad too much adrenaline.
Having heard the commotion, Sarah came in to to check on me.
Ru was so frightened by the noise that she’d already ran off into the living room.
‘Get up,’ Sarah said. ‘Come on, you’re fine Abby.’
‘No, something doesn’t feel right,’ Iwinced.
‘Sarah, Abby’s foot looks like it’s hanging off the side,’ Linda agreed, followed by Shauna and Fras
