?Back of the Neck?Started Chewing ?: Michael Phelps Revealed Horrifying Attack From His Own Dog That Could Have Killed Him in Childhood, in His Biography

Michael Phelps has retired from professional swimming, but he remains the face of the sport in the United States. Apart from swimming, the winner of 28 Olympic medals has one more love that he shares with his family: pets. The Phelps family, over the years, has owned many dogs. Michael Phelps, in his autobiography, opened up about one episode with his family dog, Thadeus.

However, the incident, which is engraved in his mind, was not a happy memory. It was quite frightening.

Phelps talked about his childhood horrors?

The event took place when Phelps was only three years old. During the said time, Hilary and Whitney were ten and eight. Thadeus, their dog, was not used to the company of small kids. In his book, Michael Phelps: Beneath the Surface, ‘Baltimore Bullet’ said, “Thadeus was used to the company of kids who were bigger and older than me.”

Phelps continued, “I was only three, so one morning, when I went into the pen to feed Thadeus.” What followed next was not one of his most memorable experiences. As Phelps was little, Thadeus mistook him for one of his dolls and?bit him “on the back of the neck and started chewing.”

Read More: Michael Phelps Once Confessed That His Chances of Getting Married and Having Children Someday Were Million-to-One

Thadeus did not just stop there and tossed Phelps “from one end of the pen to the other.” In defense, Phelps could not do anything.

“He?was much bigger than I was, and I couldn’t do anything to get free.” Seeing this, Hilary started to scream and tried to pull him off, but Thadeus was reluctant.

Speaking of what followed next, Phelps wrote, “Thadeus broke my skin in several places, but thankfully he didn’t decide to take a piece out of my neck.” However, the incident did not change Phelps’ love for dogs.

Michael Phelps and his love for dogs

Over the years, Michael Phelps and his family have owned many dogs. Back in 2012, Phelps adopted a shelter dog, Penelope. The Catahoula mix was later re-named Stella. She then joined Michael’s other pooch, a bulldog named Herman.

As of now, the Phelps family is mourning the loss of Fred, Michael Phelps’ father. Like earlier times, this time, the family is together in their times of grief. Upon hearing the news, fans and friends extended their support.

Watch This Story:? Swimming legend Michael Phelps’ top 5 iconic career races