A Nokomis woman recovering from a savage dog attack last week still has a long way to go on her road to recovery, but has been taken off ventilation machines and is finally able to speak about her ordeal.

Sandra Lambert, 63, was taken by Lifeflight to USA Medical Center in Mobile Thursday after two bulldogs in her care suddenly attacked her. She has since undergone several surgeries, including the amputation of her right arm. Despite her trauma, Lambert’s cousin, Martha Hall, says she is improving.

“She has undergone surgery on a daily basis, with the latest surgery occurring today,” Hall wrote in an update from the family on Tuesday. “Sandra suffered extensive injuries to her right arm, which resulted in a full amputation up to her shoulder, and she has deep puncture and gash wounds to her left arm as well as her legs. She will need further surgery for skin grafts to those areas.”

Hall said, since being taken off the ventilators, Lambert has been able to relate to family what transpired the day of the attack.

“She had taken both the Pitt bulldogs out for a walk near the field in back of her house,” Hall wrote. “The female dog, named Molly, was on a leash and lunged at some chickens. Sandra yelled ‘no Molly,’ and pulled on her leash. Then quickly, the dog turned on her and attacked as did the male Pitt.”

Both dogs, which were taken in as strays, were captured within 24 hours of the attack and officials with the Escambia County (Fla.) Animal Shelter said the fate of the animals may rest with Lambert, should she be designated as their legal owner.

According to Hall, Lambert said the dogs need to be “put down.”

“She said what she saw in the eyes of the dogs that day was a look that she’d never seen before,” Hall said. “A killer look. And from her injuries, it appears that is what the dogs were trying to do.”

Hall said Lambert initially took the dogs into her home because of her love for animals and her instinct to care for all living creatures.

“For 25 plus years, Sandra worked as a registered nurse in the surgery/ICU (Intensive Care Unit),” Hall said. “Even after leaving the medical field, Sandra’s sense of caring and nurturing carried over into her personal life. Sandra has always loved animals and has taken care of many. So, when she saw the Pittbulls left behind at an abandoned house, she would go by and leave them food and water. After a period of time, when she felt the animals were comfortable with her, she eventually took them to her house.”

Hall said Lambert is still fighting an uphill battle, adding anyone looking for a way to help can make donations locally.

“Sandra has a long road to recovery ahead of her,” Hall said. “If anyone would like to make a financial contribution, they can do so at any branch of United Bank. The family would like to thank everyone for their concern, visits, phone calls and prayers.”