I’m shattered emotionally....

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Thanks for all all your posts I’m going to give it a rest for a while

I am probably in the top tier of Dog lovers on this site. And adding to it rescue animals especially. In your heart of hearts if you really tried to work with this dog and this still happened sometimes in life we can "un-do" something someone else has done. And it does happen where a dog is returned. I had to do it myself and tore me up (couldn't get along with my then current dog) and I found a loving family that took him in and made a spot for them in their lives..... Awesome people!

I will also be honest in that had the dog attacked mine I would send it home and not in a positive way. My dog is family and I will protect it. Because it was outside of your property there is nothing you could do about that. Been there, done that.

I hope everyone ends up safe, healed, and learns from it. Rescue dogs are still the best buddy a man could ask for....

JW
 
Really? This is self-inflicted from stupidity/ignorance and a disregard for other people. I guess this is a good forum to come to for sympathy.
Let he who has not made any mistakes cast the first aspersion
 
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I’m not looking for sympathy but rather strategies to cope with a major loss
Yeah IDK, to me a dog (or any other "pet") is something to share my physical life with, but not my spiritual life nor my emotional life. I mean, while he is in my care I take care of his needs; basically; exercise, discipline, and affection, plus food etcetera, and I teach him how to communicate his needs to me. But that is where it ends for me. He ain't a kid. Just another lifeform entrusted to my care.
Maybe I'm shallow, IDK. I got a wife of going 44years in spring, to be emotional with. And I got AlmightyGod to be Spiritual with. The dog is like a one year old kid, or maybe a two year old, except the dog is potty-trained. Intellectually a dog is totally ignorant.
I'll tell you one thing tho;
Georgie is such a good dog, I petitioned AlmightyGod to make room for him in the NewKingdom, and if possible, for him to come and live with me for eternity. And you know Jesus said; if you Believe; ask me anything, in my name, and I will do it; that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
So while my Biological Father will not be there, I do expect that Georgie will be.
 
I'd say the dog needs to be put down. Our neighbors had pit bulls, and they got loose and almost killed our coon hound. Ripped one ear off, damaged several muscles in her legs, then went after my Mom. Thankfully they didn't get her, and our dog recovered. Owner paid the vet bill, and told my Dad to shoot them if they ever got loose again. He was a super nice guy and the dogs were his son's, but he took responsibility and never let it happen again. My parents have owned 2 dogs that bit, but they made sure not to let them near anybody new, nor did they run around off a leash. Extra precautions need to be taken with animals like this. I hate to hear about your troubles though. Hopefully everything will work out.
 
I agree with a lot of what's been said. Either way, losing a dog sucks, regardless of the circumstances. As with dealing with any other emotional stress, keeping yourself busy with hobbies and physical exercise are great ways to help expedite the mental healing process.
 
Yeah IDK, to me a dog (or any other "pet") is something to share my physical life with, but not my spiritual life nor my emotional life. I mean, while he is in my care I take care of his needs; basically; exercise, discipline, and affection, plus food etcetera, and I teach him how to communicate his needs to me. But that is where it ends for me. He ain't a kid. Just another lifeform entrusted to my care.
Maybe I'm shallow, IDK. I got a wife of going 44years in spring, to be emotional with. And I got AlmightyGod to be Spiritual with. The dog is like a one year old kid, or maybe a two year old, except the dog is potty-trained. Intellectually a dog is totally ignorant.
I'll tell you one thing tho;
Georgie is such a good dog, I petitioned AlmightyGod to make room for him in the NewKingdom, and if possible, for him to come and live with me for eternity. And you know Jesus said; if you Believe; ask me anything, in my name, and I will do it; that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
So while my Biological Father will not be there, I do expect that Georgie will be.
I guess that I’m so attached because we have an empty nest now. I am thousands of miles from my son whom I am rarely able to see.
God bless you
 
I agree with a lot of what's been said. Either way, losing a dog sucks, regardless of the circumstances. As with dealing with any other emotional stress, keeping yourself busy with hobbies and physical exercise are great ways to help expedite the mental healing process.
Agree I’m lucky to have the Dart to work on
 
I am a lifelong dog owner and have also fostered several dogs from the SPCA, and helped friends train their dogs. My first question, and I am surprised that it hasn't been asked yet, is "Why was this dog put up for adoption in the first place?"
Every shelter has or should have someone who is educated in and able to evaluate behavior of all of the animals that come into the shelter before the animal is allowed to be adopted or even fostered. It is their responsibility to ensure the safety of the public. Having said that, I understand the heartache that this situation has caused, it is so easy to become attached to a pet, regardless of the species, and the situation that you are now in is extremely difficult.
My wife and I currently have 3 dogs, ranging from 65 lbs to 90 lbs, she also looks after 2 Great Pyrenees that belong to a friend during the week, the dogs are all exceptionally well socialized with people and other dogs, and we will never hesitate to step in and correct any unwelcome or aggressive behavior.
There are no guarantees, especially with a dog that has an unknown history, and you are not responsible for what the dog has been through before it came into your life, you gave it a home and a chance that someone else wouldn't or couldn't.
I have been nipped by small dogs twice, (both teacup poodles), and can tell you that it's not pleasant to be bitten, nor was it tolerated, one was a foster, who was quickly returned to the shelter, the other belonged to my first wife, and only because of that was given a second chance.
I am sorry that you are having to go through this, and wish you the best in resolving the issues with those affected. I agree with DIY that you should approach the neighbors and offer to pay their expenses asap, if for no other reason than to show that you accepted responsibility in the event someone does file a suit.

Sorry if I rambled on.
 
I am a lifelong dog owner and have also fostered several dogs from the SPCA, and helped friends train their dogs. My first question, and I am surprised that it hasn't been asked yet, is "Why was this dog put up for adoption in the first place?"
Every shelter has or should have someone who is educated in and able to evaluate behavior of all of the animals that come into the shelter before the animal is allowed to be adopted or even fostered. It is their responsibility to ensure the safety of the public. Having said that, I understand the heartache that this situation has caused, it is so easy to become attached to a pet, regardless of the species, and the situation that you are now in is extremely difficult.
My wife and I currently have 3 dogs, ranging from 65 lbs to 90 lbs, she also looks after 2 Great Pyrenees that belong to a friend during the week, the dogs are all exceptionally well socialized with people and other dogs, and we will never hesitate to step in and correct any unwelcome or aggressive behavior.
There are no guarantees, especially with a dog that has an unknown history, and you are not responsible for what the dog has been through before it came into your life, you gave it a home and a chance that someone else wouldn't or couldn't.
I have been nipped by small dogs twice, (both teacup poodles), and can tell you that it's not pleasant to be bitten, nor was it tolerated, one was a foster, who was quickly returned to the shelter, the other belonged to my first wife, and only because of that was given a second chance.
I am sorry that you are having to go through this, and wish you the best in resolving the issues with those affected. I agree with DIY that you should approach the neighbors and offer to pay their expenses asap, if for no other reason than to show that you accepted responsibility in the event someone does file a suit.

Sorry if I rambled on.
Offer to pay expenses done, we were told at the shelter that “she didn’t get along well with other dogs” the aggressive word never came out may have used in on of my posts though
 
Let he who has not made any mistakes cast the first aspersion
Ok, my suggestion is if possible, move to a rural area where your dogs have some space and room to run. Or just get a small non-ferocious animal.
I'm harsh because my neighbor's little girl had her face ripped off by a pit bull. Over 100 stitches later, modern medicine made her look human again. The dog owner remarked that the little girl was teasing the animal. I was younger then and if it was my daughter, I would have likely terminated that guy. My tolerance for dog owners that "can't get er done" is less then zero.
 
Ok, my suggestion is if possible, move to a rural area where your dogs have some space and room to run. Or just get a small non-ferocious animal.
I'm harsh because my neighbor's little girl had her face ripped off by a pit bull. Over 100 stitches later, modern medicine made her look human again. The dog owner remarked that the little girl was teasing the animal. I was younger then and if it was my daughter, I would have likely terminated that guy. My tolerance for dog owners that "can't get er done" is less then zero.
That sir is excellent recommendation
Moving is not an option but I feel that a situation such as what you described would work my mission while she is quarantined is to find that situation for her
 
I guess that I’m so attached because we have an empty nest now. I am thousands of miles from my son whom I am rarely able to see.
God bless you

We have that in common. My son is in Phoenix and I am 70 miles south of Atlanta.
 
Hope the victims are all ok. I got Rufus a black lab at 6 weeks old. Christmas present for my 2 boys. Fast forward 2 years, Lori and I get together(with her son Nick and Jemma a Jack Russell) and eventually move in.
A few years into our relationship Rufus starts to bite. WTF?? Lori and Nick are both dog lovers and had them their entire lives.
The bites were "minor" but occurred inside the house(over protective??).
I was working far away from home and came home occasionally. I wanted to put him down but kids and Lori said no. I said fine, Rufus isnt biting me, so you guys deal with it/him.
Once grandkids came, I took control and tried to adopt him out(with transparency). I found a place called Big Sky Animal Shelter. 3 hours away and a $300 surrender fee. My conscience is clear and grandkids are safe. It was either that or I would have to put him down(and I would). I love animals but like Rusty said humans are top of the chain and ALL pets should know that. I will do what's necessary to protect my family including snapping a neck.
I always thought Labs were good tempered dogs...ANY animal can turn. We arent mind readers.
We are empty nesters(kids, dogs and cats are gone) and now have Piper.
If it were me I would put the dog down. Someone else will come along thinking they can "save" it.
Put it down.
Heres Piper at Day 1 and now.

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I'm sorry about the way you feel
As a former city mail carrier, I've had enough run ins with dogs, that I don't feel a bit bad about the dog.
We're dealing with a situation here with a neighbors dogs that aren't interested in keeping their dogs in check.
They have the attitude that we live in the country, and the dogs should be allowed to roam.
Their pitbull went after my grand daughter a couple weeks back, my german shepherd got between them and I'm dealing with vet bills.
All this coupled with the fact the animal shelter here is in flux with the county leadership, I have zero compassion for any dog that an owner can't/won't control.
I hope it works out for you, but don't be surprised if this doesn't end up in court.
 
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