Even though I can't write to you myself, dear Minna, since my finger has been affected again by writing too soon, and has become slightly worse, still I don't want to worry you unnecessarily by leaving you completely without news. The thing is not in the least dangerous, just protracted and tedious, since I have to favor the thumb of the right hand. Don't worry about Leo either, he was not at all mad when he bit me, just frightened because I wanted to have him washed; and these dogs are especially sensitive on the back, as I didn't find out till later.
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 256