Lady Gaga's dog walker Ryan Fischer has detailed what he thought might be his final thoughts as he fought for his life after being shot by two attackers who stole his celebrity client's dogs.
Fischer shared two photos from his hospital bed, where he is recovering after the brutal incident took place on a Los Angeles street at around 10pm last week.
"Four days ago, while a car sped away and blood poured from my gunshot wound, an angel trotted over and laid next to me," Fischer began, referring to one of Gaga's French Bulldogs, Miss Asia, who escaped from the thieves during the chaos.
"My panicked screams calmed as I looked at her, even though it registered that the blood pooling around her tiny body was my own," he said.
"I cradled Asia as best I could, thanked her for all the incredible adventures we’d been on together, apologized that I couldn’t defend her brothers, and then resolved that I would still try to save them… and myself."
Fischer described how people poured from their homes and a nearby restaurant to help as he lay screaming and bleeding on the pavement. Thanks to the media attention from the story, Gaga's stolen dogs Koji and Gustav were safely returned to her after the singer offered a US$500,000 reward with no questions asked.
"Life has taken a very sudden and unexpected turn," Fischer continued.
"I am still in recovery from a very close call with death… I will write and say more later, but the gratitude for all the love I feel from around this planet is immense and intense. I felt your healing support! Thank you," he said.
"I am humbled and grateful that attention and focus from the police were enough to get Koji and Gustav back to safety, and I know they are committed to bringing these criminals and attempted murderers to justice. I am so appreciative of everything you continue to do."
Fischer also addressed Gaga, who he thanked for her unwavering support despite her own "traumatic loss".
'Your babies are back and the family is whole… we did it!" he wrote.
Following the attack, Gaga shared a post pleading for information about her dogs on Instagram, in which she also paid tribute to Fischer's bravery.
"I continue to love you Ryan Fischer, you risked your life to fight for our family. You’re forever a hero," she wrote at the time.
