So I had this rather disturbing dream the other night, of the sort that you come awake with an "Oh SHIT!" sort of feeling and the image was so odd compared to my usual that I had to look it up for possible meanings.

Dismemberment

To dream that you are dismembered, suggests that some situation or circumstance is falling apart in your waking life. You are feeling disempowered and experiencing some great and significant loss.

Okay... I can see that. But what does it mean when you still have your left arm attached and something menacing and dog-like (but not a wolf) is coming in for the free lunch so you flail around with your one arm and grab something to beat the thing back with... and it's your right arm? O.o