sorrow and dogs

[Shandi]

I have 8 dogs, I was a vet tech for 13 years and have taken in a few that where unadoptable. I have 2 pitty mixes one is 2 and the other is 6. I also have a 10 1/2 year old chow mix I call my "son" I have no children other then these dogs.  I always let the dogs out to run in our horse pasture when I feed. Today the two pits attacked and nearly killed my old boy. He's in surgery right now with damage to his chest and both hind legs. I tried every thing to get them off of him. I finally picked up a brick and repeatedly smashed it over the head of the one that had him by the throat. He would not let go. My old dog stopped breathing and let go of his bowels and I continued to smash the one over the head with a brick I had to throw myself over the body of my old dog to finally get them off him. I have never in my life been so afraid. I have bites and bruises all over me. I locked the two in kennels and went out expecting my beloved boy to be dead and he was standing. I loaded the aggressor into a kennel into the truck and loaded my boy in the front seat. They are both at the Vet.
I asked them to euthanize the younger pitty mix.
I feel very bad.
I've had him since he was about 4 weeks old. He's my couch potato and he's sweet...today I saw that he was a killer.  I feel like a looser killing him, I just feel like I can't risk it happening again, he's been going after the horses and I just can't risk it. As soon as I got the one off  the older pitty backed off and ran in the house.  I feel like the older pitt got into it because of the younger one, but am I risking this happening again?
I've  had  Pete for 6 years and raised him from a pup, he had surgery on his hips, hes never shown aggression. He's a dog I thought I could trust...now I'm scared.
What do I do? They nearly killed MY dog. I can't ever go through that again...I am so sad and so guilty. I brought those dogs into our family..I love them..
I'm a murderer.

[Auryn]

Shandi,
i am literally shivering reading what happened to you today.
I am so sorry this has happened to you and your beloved furry kid.

I honor and respect you for the decision to put down the younger pit mix. Everyone knows its not an easy thing to do but you are being both responsible and a loving parent for doing it.

I pray for your chow to get better and be able to come home with you soon.
My hugs and prayers

[Shandi]

i can't seem to stop crying....

[Grov]

Once the trust is gone, it's gone.  You are making the right choice.  I commend you for taking in so many animals but the cold hard fact is, you can't save them all.  For the rest to be able to live happy, you cannot expose them to risk like that now that you know it exists.  Let your guilt go.  You even gave the aggressor your love until he went psycho.

[ladybootlegger]

Your story literally brought me to tears. Like you, my furry friends are the closest to children I'll ever have, and it wasn't all that long ago, my boy was attacked (we're not sure by what/who). Every day he had to go to the vet, and every day for a month I was afraid of losing him. Sadly, after a month of surgeries, medications, and daily trips to the vet, he lost his battle, and if I ever find what attacked him...I, like you would avenge my precious boy!

My heart goes out to you in your situation. If I had the money and the land, I'd rescue every dog I could. That being said, I also believe you made the right choice. What would happen if the dog turned on you, or another human. The results of that could be far worse.

I sincerely hope everything turns out well for your chow mix. If there is ANYTHING I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask.

[Shandi]

Hoggle is in surgery the Vet had them call to let me know the damged was not into his chest cavity, he's got some bad tears and will have a drain tube in his chest but over all it's not as bad as she had thought, he has to stay overnight and is on morphine. I have 6 other dogs here but without my Hoggle the house seems very empty and very quite. I know that our time together is running out but as my fur son of almost 11 years he deserves his last years to be with out harrassment. I love that boy like I have never loved before, he taught me so much about loyalty and love. He's never far from me and sleeps on his own bed right beside my bed and I can reach down and touch him in the night. You get one dog like him once in your life, he's my friend,my companion and I love him so very much. He has filled my life with joy, when he leaves me it will leave a hole in my heart.
I feel like I should go up and see him but I know it will just confuse him as to why he can't leave with me... 8:00 am seems so very far away.

[auntiegiggles]

Shandi - I too will only ever have fur kids.  The positive is that the damage is not as bad as it looked.  You did the responsible thing with the aggressor.  I know its hard to hear that right now but the chance of him attacking again was extremely high.  It really is best to protect your other dogs and humans first.   You did the right thing.  Thank you for being a responsible pet owner.  Sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest.  I hope for the best for your boy.  I will keep you and your boy in my prayers for a quick recovery. 

[Becky10]

 Shandi, I am so very sorry that this has happened to you and your fur family. I am praying that Hoggle will be okay and it sounds like your pack is very lucky to have such a wonderful woman as yourself as their mommy.
As hard as it is there will never be a time when you have to let go of a friend and not feel like a murderer, even if it is for their own health or yours. What you have done is for the love and protection of you're family. You have done nothing wrong and you have to remember that. You are a strong and wonderful woman and this is a major testament to your strength.  I don't think there are many people who could have done what you have done.
I wish i could write something more to comfort you but this is something that will just have to take time. Please, please come on here and talk to us anytime you need the support.
  Sending you and your pack all my love and support.

[Rowan MacD]

    Hugs, Shandi,
   I would have done exactly as you did.  
   It's hard enough to lose a dog when the attacker is unknown or a stranger, but to have one pet turn on another....That is just horrible beyond words.
  You did what you had to do. You could not hesitate to attempt to rescue your older dog, and the younger pit could (and should) not have been saved once he bit you, proving he did not respect your status as alpha when you intervened.  Once that happened there was no other course of action for you, you know this in your heart.
  As a vet tech, you know that Dogs are Dogs.  They are not people, though we may love them like children, and even when we think we know them well, we really cannot truly know what will set them off.   You can't save them all, and sometimes you can't save them at all.
   
 

[DonaCatalina]

My heart goes out to you. I know you will second guess yourself for a long time to come but you did the right thing. Once the younger dog got into that uncontrollable you could never fully trust him again. I hope the best for your Hoggle.

[LadyFae]

I can add nothing new here but I'm sending you (((hugs))) and love.  You did the "right" thing.  I'm sorry that any of this happend at all and I am SO sorry for you!  =(  Best wishes for Hoggle's recovery.  (LOVE his name by the way!)

[angusmacinnes]

nothing really that I can add other than am glad you were not seriously injured.  Had a friend that got mauled by 2 pits and had someone with a baseball bat had not come along he most likely would not have survived.  Hope the chow recovers quickly.

[Lady Kett]

Also adding my hugs and reinforcement that I think you did the right thing in an extremely difficult situation.

[Mairte]

You absolutely did the right thing. Hugs and best wishes for Hoggles recovery.

[Merlin the Elder]

Don't try to second-guess. It's a devastating situation, and an extremely difficult decision. But like the rest of your friends here, I think you made the right decision. We have two fur kids, both rescues, and I can't imagine losing either one. But I know the time is coming. One is nearing the statistical end of normal lifespan age.

I can only offer you some positive energy and love...hang in there.

[Lady Mikayla of Phoenicia]

Shandi,

I too share my home with multiple dogs and have seen dogs turn on one another, all breeds do it.  There are many, many good pitbulls out there.  The issue may be an issue of pack health and welfare, either with the attacking dogs or the "target".  If a dog in the pack exhibits signs of sickness/age/disease, whatever could cause harm to the pack overall, the healthier dogs will "eliminate" the threat to the pack.  If the attacking dogs are ill or have bad temperaments, it is best to make the decision to let them go.  As owners of multiple dogs, we have tough decisions to make on occassion.  In your position, I would release the second dog to a rescue, preferably breed specific.  They will better understand that breed's specific needs.   

Please feel free to pm me directly should you need.  I wish the best for you & your heart boy! 

Blessings,

Lady M 

[SirRichardBear]

His Apologies
by
Rudyard Kipling

Master, this is Thy Servant. He is rising eight weeks old.
He is mainly Head and Tummy. His legs are uncontrolled.
But Thou hast forgiven his ugliness, and settled him on Thy knee...
Art Thou content with Thy Servant? He is very comfy with Thee.

Master, behold a Sinner! He hath committed a wrong.
He hath defiled Thy Premises through being kept in too long.
Wherefore his nose has been rubbed in the dirt and his self- respect has been bruised.
Master, pardon Thy Sinner, and see he is properly loosed.

Master, again Thy Sinner! This that was once Thy Shoe,
He has found and taken and carried aside, as fitting matter to chew.
Now there is neither blacking nor tongue, and the Housemaid has us in tow,
Master, remember Thy Servant is young, and tell her to let him go!

Master, extol Thy Servant, he has met a most Worthy Foe!
There has been fighting all over the Shop -- and into the Shop also!
Till cruel umbrellas parted the strife (or I might have been choking him yet),
But Thy Servant has had the Time of his Life -- and now shall we call on the vet?

Master, behold Thy Servant! Strange children came to play,
And because they fought to caress him, Thy Servant wentedst away.
But now that the Little Beasts have gone, he has returned to see
(Brushed -- with his Sunday collar on) what they left over from tea.

Master, pity Thy Servant! He is deaf and three parts blind.
He cannot catch Thy Commandments. He cannot read Thy Mind.
Oh, leave him not to his loneliness; nor make him that kitten's scorn.
He hath had no other God than Thee since the year that he was born.

Lord, look down on Thy Servant! Bad things have come to pass.
There is no heat in the midday sun, nor health in the wayside grass.
His bones are full of an old disease -- his torments run and increase.
Lord, make haste with Thy Lightnings and grant him a quick release!

His Apologies
by
Rudyard Kipling

[Shandi]

Hoggle is home and looks like frankenstien with his bright pink stiches, drain tube and shaved patches all over. He's so sore. I discovered this morning that I not only and battered and bruised myself but somehow must have pulled the tendons in my right hand and can't hold my paint brush or sculpting tool with out intense pain.
I got a 500.00 Vet bill a 55.00 script fee from Walgreens and have no clue how I'm going to come up with the funds to pay a 100.00 a week when I can't finish 2 pieces of art work on my desk..
I had them euthanize the pitty mix. I have been called a murderer by someone I love, for letting the dog be put to sleep. I could not live with myself if he had ever hurt someone else or another animal. I have to live with this burden, this pain, that I took his life. If I could have gotten to my gun and got back fast enough I would have shot him. You can call me all the horrible names you want, I would have done anything to save my Hoggle. I love Luu and I will always love him. I loved him enough to let him go as humanly as possible. The burden of this sorrow is mine to bear, I have to live with this choice. I made the choice to save my friend of almost 11 years and to euthanize a pup of 2 that may or maynot have done this again, I was not willing to risk it.
I will suffer over this and I will agonize over this, I just hope I can make it through these feelings of guilt.
Thank you all so very much for listening, and supporting me. I feel like this lump in my throat will ease some sharing this with you all.

[Rowan MacD]

  *hugs*  Don't second guess yourself.
Lady Mikayla may have the right idea.  The older pit should probably find a new home.

[Merlin the Elder]

Shandi! Stop beating yourself up about this! You did what you had to do. The person that called you murderer is a child, I would imagine. They have a more difficult time understanding. It will come to them eventually. My hopes for a speedy recovery to all who were injured, both physically and mentally.

[angusmacinnes]

Whom ever said that to you child or not is wrong.  They should get over themselves.

[Becky10]

Shandi, I've been called a murderer for putting down a cancer ridden dog and a poisoned cat. The people who call you this are usually those who are unable to carry the burden of responsibility themselves. You are not a murderer. As much as I love my fur babies I cant say with confidence that I could have enough bravery to do what you did. You saved Hoggle's life! And you potentially saved the life of you're other dogs, or even a child, what would have happened if that was a toddler? You did what was in the best interest. Trust me Hoggle and the pitty you had to put down both know that, dogs have the most understanding souls.

*Hugs*

[duffy]

Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to. Putting a dog down is never easy. My wife and I are troubled with this decision everyday lately. We have a schnauzer who is 12 and is having trouble holding his bladder. We had urine and blood work done and all they can tell us is he is getting old and has a growth "tumor" in him. He was our first dog together and a great one at that, but now he is solitary, doesnt was love and just goes potty in the house all the time. We have to lock him up when we are not home and have resorted to making him wear a diaper. He also gets snippy with the other dogs for no reason. You wish to yourself he would just pass away so you dont have to make the decision. I cant bring myself to put him down yet. It will probably be put off till he has pissed me off so much that i am always mad at him. It sucks doing that no matter what.

Sorry to get off subject just wanted to get it out i guess.  Anyway you did the right thing, even though it doesnt feel right. You gave him 2 good years he would never have had.

[crazyrennie]

Shandi,
I will agree with all here and say you did the right thing-
my hugz to both you and (gently) Hoggle
Crazy

[Rowan MacD]

Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to. Putting a dog down is never easy. My wife and I are troubled with this decision everyday lately. We have a schnauzer who is 12 and is having trouble holding his bladder. We had urine and blood work done and all they can tell us is he is getting old and has a growth "tumor" in him. He was our first dog together and a great one at that, but now he is solitary, doesnt was love and just goes potty in the house all the time. We have to lock him up when we are not home and have resorted to making him wear a diaper. He also gets snippy with the other dogs for no reason. You wish to yourself he would just pass away so you dont have to make the decision. I cant bring myself to put him down yet. It will probably be put off till he has pissed me off so much that i am always mad at him. It sucks doing that no matter what.S

My 18 year old Yorkie was exactly the same as you described your schnauzer is now. I waited until it had been a full year of daily cleaning up after him, which was all he did during the few times he wasn't sleeping. He did not socialize at all with people or other dogs.  The vet said it was dementia (I didn't know dogs could get that).
  Finally I just couldn't take seeing him like that anymore.  He was not the dog I remembered, he was just existing. 
   I spoiled him for a day then took him for his last vet visit this January. I don't regret it.
I have my memories now.

[Taffy Saltwater]

Sweetie, my sympathies go out to you.  A pit puppy (maybe 6 months old?) attacked my pomeranian and since then I don't trust pits.  It took her owner beating her and dragging her off my dog and I shudder to think what would have happened if my baby wasn't a pure fluff ball - he was wet all over from the dog trying to get a grip.  I know a lot of people think it's all in the socialization, but ... obviously that is not always true.  As for the older pit, I know you'll keep an eye out for the safety of your other dogs, yourself & 2-legged guests.  Keep in mind he may now view Hoggle as attackable.

You absolutely did the right thing.  A dog that attacks another member of its pack can attack strange pets, people, and as you know, even its owner. 

Be at peace.

[Lady Christina de Pond]

i know how you feel i had a boxer once she was a sweet dog but very sly and kinda skitish
one night after a date with my boyfriend at the time we had came home he had hung out for a  little while he usually did she was suposed to be in a pen in the back yard well i didn't know she was out my boyfriend went outside i went outside to say goodbyewe were hugging each other when i heard the tinkling of the rabies shot tag on her collar i knew she was close and not in the pen in the back yard.
I looked at him as serious as i've ever been and said
" Listen to me and Listen good i need you to get out of the fence and go now"
He listened as soon as he walked toward the gate i put my hands down and onto her collar i don't know if she would have bit him or not for sure but i wasn't taking a chance
later a few months later my brother and myself arrived home to find the boston terrier who spent all day outside with the boxer when no one was home covered in Mud she was I'm talking caked and caked i gave the poor thing a bath and then my mother gave her another bath we discovered that she had one bad cut and a few minor cuts but nothing life threatening the boxer apparently attacked her while no one was home and rolled over in the mud over and over.
my parents wound up putting her down they no longer trusted her.
If you have to sleep with one eye open because you don't trust the dog then there is nothing cowardly about that Taffy's right if it attacks it's pack then it will attack anything and anyone

[RenStarr]

Sweetie, my sympathies go out to you.  A pit puppy (maybe 6 months old?) attacked my pomeranian and since then I don't trust pits.  It took her owner beating her and dragging her off my dog and I shudder to think what would have happened if my baby wasn't a pure fluff ball - he was wet all over from the dog trying to get a grip.  I know a lot of people think it's all in the socialization, but ... obviously that is not always true.  As for the older pit, I know you'll keep an eye out for the safety of your other dogs, yourself & 2-legged guests.  Keep in mind he may now view Hoggle as attackable.

You absolutely did the right thing.  A dog that attacks another member of its pack can attack strange pets, people, and as you know, even its owner. 

Be at peace.

Well Put Taffy!

I've had mutiple four legged/furry canine friends that I have shared my home with during my life time.  Mutiple breeds also.  Several of my friends over the years have owned pit bulls but I gotta say, I simply don't trust that breed to be around other breeds or unfamilar people.  Some will not agree with me on this, and that's ok.  But I've seen just too many situations where that particular breed just lost it's "cool" for a short period of time and hurt another or at the very least scared the day lights outa someone.  I also work in an ER and hands down, I've seen more issues in regards to dog bites and maulings from pb's then all other breeds combined.

So  Shandi, you absolutly did the right thing.  He did it once and you felt terrible about the entire situation and that is totally unstandable.  But if you had let him live and he did it again, well you know where I'm going.  Hang in there and love on the ones that are still there.