Thanks everyone for your replies. I was feeling so lonely and desperate. It's just good to know people are out there.

The Rotties that attacked my Bella were in a yard. When we went past, they started rattling and snarling at the gate, and the gate swung open. I have known lovely rotties, but it seems the fashion round here for people to keep them in tiny yards, never take them out, and of course they go mad with boredom. People teach them to be savage because they think they will be better guard dogs. The owners should be shot. My maltese was attacked by another rottie only a few months ago, but survived.

Bella is no better in the legs, but she has started barking for me to come and get her if I go out of the room, since she can't be my shadow any more. I am spending most time nursing her and cuddling her in case it is our last days. She can only use one of the doggy wheels things (thanks for that) if she has front legs.

I live in a small town several hours drive from the nearest major centre, so the full on technical diagnosis thing is not really on. And as the vet said, if she does have a gross spinal injury, nothing can be done anyway so why put her through all the trauma of xrays etc. My poor baby. I have gone to sleep to the sound of her breathing next to me for 5 years. Truly my best mate.