Rosie, my Bad Dog...is leaving us. She is going to the animal shelter. ouch. She bit Camille last night. She has nipped at the kids before, she bit Jonathan a while back, but he was trying to get her to come and grabbed her collar, so I reasoned that she wouldn't do it again. It was a hard bite, breaking the skin and drawing blood, poor Jon. And she bit Sonja once when Sonja pulled her away from food, and I reasoned that away too. Camille is fine, thankfully, but it scared the living heck out of both of us. I was holding Camille on my lap, called Rosie over and patted her head a few times. Camille reached out to pet her, and SNAP, Rosie bit her wrist. It didn't break the skin, but it did break my heart. Because I knew it was the end of Rosie's sweet stay here in our home. Rosie has been growling at the kids occasionally, and I watch her so carefully around them. But for a little girl to have a dog in the house that she is afraid of is just not good. And for a mom to be nervous 24/7 is not good either. I want our home to be a good safe warm safe place. So I am devastated. I love Miss Rosie. But as soon as she bit Camille, I realized that this is just not working.
I don't believe in getting a pet and changing one's mind. It is a permanent home. But. The kids come first. And I know this is the right thing to do. So this morning I picked up the phone and called the vet about possibly putting her down. I was given some suggestions about who to call about re-homing her. Call after call didn't pan out, no one wants a "biter". so I called the vet back and reluctantly scheduled her appointment with...never mind, I was going to have her put down. I broke down and totally lost it when I was asked if I wanted to stay with her when she passed, and if I wanted to bring her home for burial. wah. Then Paul came through: a co-worker's wife works with dogs, and is arranging to take Rosie on Saturday for evaluation. If she is found to be non-aggressive around adults, she may be placed in a home with no kids.
So. While I am relieved that she isn't going to die tonight, I am still sad that we have to say goodbye. I am going to be lost and sad and lonely.
22 comments:
So sorry. :( We had to give up our dog about a year ago.... I wish I had something better to say, but I don't... Only that I know what it feels like and I had to be the one to make the call too...and I feel for you. <3
I am sorry Della. I hope it works out with the woman. I totally understand, you cannot have a dog you can't trust with the kids.
We had to get rid of one of ours once, and it was not easy. But, he found a good home too, with lots of room to run.
Stephanie
My heart goes out to you. This is such a big decision to make, such a hard one. A mama can only do her best to keep her babies safe and of course you did not just change your mind. Don't let yourself dwell or think you have failed anyone child or dog, you can only make the best choice you can new again each day. A dog is a blessing in a home, but not so if the dog has become a danger. I do so hope she finds a good home, and settles well there. I also hope you are your family find peace about this. We have two pups and I am terrified of this. Our female is really mouthy. Always wants to lick and mouth the children's clothes, hair, fingers. I am really trying to teach her manners, and supply her with lots of acceptable options, in the hopes she out grows this, but I am secretly very worried, that maybe she won't, maybe she will need to find a home, where she doesn't feel the need to nip at a two year olds face.
I also hope Camille is okay and soon regains her confidence.
You have made the correct decision. Sadly, these tendencies tend to get worse. I have had to make the same decision.
Oh, Della! How I feel your pain. I too feel that taking a dog home is a permanent decision and I too once took a dog I loved dearly to the local animal shelter for biting issues. It was only a matter of time before our little dog would inflict a bite on a friend or child and I couldn't wait for that to happen. I never meant to take him for a "last ride" but when he growled and showed his teeth to a 2 year old boy in the waiting area I knew he really wasn't adoptable. They asked the questions, I signed the papers, and then I went home and cried for days. It was horrible. I don't think I could ever do that again. Let your baby go to someone who will try to help her. It will be hard, but nothing compared to the agony of putting her down. I love you and I know how much it hurts. I'm so sorry. :'(
I'm so sorry you have to lose your friend and exercise partner :( It is so hard when you have to choose between your kids' safety and your pets, but it is so important for Camille to be able to feel safe in her home.
(((hugs)))) we had to put our dog of 17 years down, it was horrible.
Oh so sorry. This cannot be an easy decision for you. praying for peace for you
So hard for you! But I agree with you 100% - kids come first, and it's hard if you have to worry about safety, if you have a pet. But it's actually heart-warming to see how much you have learned to love this dog, and that it's hard to let it go. You just have so much love in your heart! You'll miss Rosie-the-bad-dog, and so will we readers miss your mentionings of her, but I agree with your decision here. Hang in there!!
This is so so sad.. I'm crying. It just seems like one of the unfair things in life, but we know that nothing is really fair or unfair. I'm sure hoping she'll get a new, nice home and make her masters happy. You've had a good time with her. This may be kind of weird, but since I don't believe it true for humans, maybe it applies to pets: I used to have a needlework thing on a yellow bedroom wall that said: 'Tis better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. You will miss her. Wah, indeed.
Oh Della, im so sorry :-( I remember when you got Rosie, when your last dog died.
I am so sad, i will pray that she can be re homed with the perfect home for her. (((gbh)))
Cassandra xx
That is indeed very sad! I totally understand how you feel, we've gone through the same thing. There are no winners.
I am so sorry :-(
Aw, so sad. It seems you were very attached to Rosie. Hopefully she will find a good home with no kids. I've had to give up dogs due to aggressive behavior, as much as I loved those dogs, the kids' safety comes first. Hugs!
So sorry!! This situation is NOT the same as getting a pet and the changing your mind. There is no but.
A few years ago we got a puppy. All was going really well for about a year. My 6 year old was jump roping one day. Somehow the dog got tangled up in the jump rope. I heard the ruckus and came running to untangle the dog. He was in pain and bit me 5 times as I was unwrapping him.
He had to go after that. I was completely terrified. Even though all the experts said he wouldn't bite again and that it was just a bad situation, I couldn't take it.
I can't even imagine how it would have been if he had bit my kid!
A rescue group took him and he found a great home.
I hope the same for Rosie and I hope you don't beat yourself up over it. You can't live being afraid in your own home.
Oh no, that is so sad! A home without a dog just isn't a home for me. Glad you made the right decision though to rehome her and not take her to a shelter or worse. There are lots of rescue groups out there that will provide foster homes and/or transportation to a new home where she will be happy.
i went through this very same thing. My big Ole became more and more aggressive and I called around about rehab and training but was told they will likely bite again. he was too big and too scary to in good conscience put him in someone else's home. I did put my baby to sleep. I miss him still. its terribly painful. hugs to you and rosie.
You should call the Old English Sheepdog Club Of New York rescue.
Here is the link.
http://oldenglishsheepdog.rescueme.org/NewYork
Your dog isn't biting adults, but she is probably overwhelmed by so many children and a house that is so busy.
She deserves another chance.
they get dogs like this all the time.
Many adults would love to have your beautiful Rosie.
I hope that she gets a chance.
So sorry!!! Dogs become a part of the family...I can see how this is hard for you but you are doing the right thing!
agh I'm so sorry, what a tough decision this must have been. I am happy there is an option (other than putting her down) I hope she is re-homed soon.
I'm sorry but you're right. You do have to put the kids first. It is sad. Rosie The Bad Dog was such an important character in your blog. It always made me smile when you called her that so lovingly.
So sorry Della! You are not alone! We had to put our aggressive dog down a couple years ago for biting one of the kids' friends. It's so awful and I think Cheryl said it best, there's no fair or unfair. Will be thinking of you and hoping something works out!
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