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Okay, so here's the news for those of you who are wondering what has been going on with me lately.
The past few weeks my dogs (pit bulls) have been getting in fights with each other (almost killed each other, the boy had to be taken to the vet and was badly bleeding and beaten) and now they got a hold of my potbellied pig, ganged up on him and almost killed him. Up until this point, they have gotten along really well and they have been the sweetest dogs ever. I love them with all my heart. These two events have been some of the most horrible things I've ever witnessed. I was unable to stop them when they attacked the pig, it was by sheer luck he was able to get back in his pen and I was able to keep them from getting back inside with him. They are so much stronger than me and it was horrendous. I used every ounce of energy I had for 10 straight minutes trying to pull my big dogs off of my poor pig. I'm small and have fibromyalgia so this kind of thing took a horrible toll on my body. I'm in so much pain today it's not even funny. It's messed with my mind so badly that I totally forgot to do my Thursday's Tutorial post on FCCB and didn't have time to get anything new together for Gill's B-day. :0(
I had to take major anti-anxiety meds today and slept all day at a friend's house. In fact I slept all the way until 8:00 PM and I realized, OMG, I have two hops I'm in that I need to post! Got them done, as you'll see below, but wow, it was not easy to focus so I hope everything is done correctly. If you notice any errors, please let me know.
On top of all that, I have to get rid of my piggy so he is safe because the dogs keep trying to find a way in to his pen (he's an indoor pig), and I'm also contemplating getting rid of both of my dogs because of this aggression towards each other and other animals. I am scared to leave them alone together. I am scared they might jump the fence into one of my neighbors yards, all of which have pets. My neighbor has a beautiful little min-pin she wants to give to me because my hubby and I have fallen in love with the dog and she can no longer keep her and work as much as she needs to, but my dogs have already shown signs that if they got to her, they would kill her. They try to bust out of the room and both doggy gates that I have put up and I can barely hold them back! I would feel horrible if something happened to another creature because if they got something that small, it would be dead within minutes.
I am heartbroken and I don't know what on earth to do. Several people say I just have to get rid of the dogs to avoid any future lawsuits or them turning on me, etc., Yet we contacted a rescue and they were so incredibly insensitive and mean. (They'll be getting a real piece of my mind soon.) Basically they said we are bad owners and we shouldn't even consider getting rid of our dogs if we were any kind of good people.
I have had these dogs for a while and have loved them more than anything. They have been babied, but disciplined, have had plenty of freedom and exercise and more love than most dogs get. They even sleep in the bed with us! I am so pissed that anyone would blame this on me or on ignorance. I always study breeds and dogs and have raised and had dogs my ENTIRE life and have NEVER seen them act this way towards each other or another creature. It made me sick. They were trying to rip out his eyes and his ears and his throat and OMG, I couldn't stop it. I was screaming at the top of my lungs for help and none of my neighbors heard me. I even ran outside and was screaming and no one came. :( Finally was able to call my neighbor and she came and then my husband showed up at the same time. By that time I was a nervous wreck and I was inconsolable. Nervous breakdown to a T. So that is what has been going on over here and I am such a wreck that I can't even handle the situation. I have no idea what to do and the thought of getting rid of my dogs just sends me into a frenzy. Please, does anyone have any non-critical, constructive advice other than saying I'm a bad owner (because I'm not)? I have read that once a pitbull turns like that, you can't turn them back. I am scared that no amount of training will make me feel safe enough to keep my dogs and not worry about them killing each other or jumping the fence and killing a neighbor's pet. My girl is not spayed and I know that will help, but will it be enough? Please help.
fibro and am home-bound 97% of the time.
XO ~ Amy Jo
I Love TheHIVE
17 comments:
I'm so sorry to hear this amy :( I wouldn't wish that experience on anyone, I wish you the best of luck in the next step. I wish I could offer advice but I know nothing pertaining animals since I'm allergic to them. I am here if you need to talk :).
I am sorry to hear of your heartbreaking decision. I am a dog lover so I know the pain of losing a family member. We had to make a hard choice 2 years ago. Our Great Pyrenees had become so determined to roaming. We had rescued him from the pound 6 months earlier. Nothing could stop him. We decided that our home was not the right fit for him. I found a farmer off Craigslist in a rural area who was looking for a male herding dog. It was so hard to let him go. But I knew it was right. I know it is not the same situation, but nonetheless still hard. If your heart is saying they need to find other homes, then it is probably the right decision. Many hugs! Elizabeth
Amy now following what a shame about the dogs and pig as a dog lover I know exactly how you must be feeling if ever my dog (german shepherd) turned on anything or anyone I know that would have to be it I couldn't take the risk but it's alright me sitting here saying to you get rid of them but I know how hard it would be for me in your position I honestly don't know what I would do my head would say the obvious either get them in some kennels or worse have them put to sleep but your heart will try to over rule that because you love them so dearly you will have to sit and think about it though as what if they turn on a small child and that child isn't as fortunate as your pig to have someone try to protect it it's a hard one to call and I really so feel for you but as I have been told on MANY occasion they aint your babies they are animal and need to be treated as such it's hard to hear and no one is as stupidly goo goo when it comes to animals as me (you know what I mean) I have adopted a stray cat now too but think hard about it as for the people who said that about you not caring what do they know don't they realise you are doing it because you care I really feel for you it's a hard discision
I'm so sorry to hear this. (We think of our pets as extra children.) I can't believe the rescue people were so horrible. The sad truth is that if they aren't willing to take them you pretty much have to have the dogs put down. You can't give them to anyone, or you will wind up facing a lawsuit the same as if you still owned them and they attacked someone. I would try calling the rescue again and hoping you reach a different person. If not, I would be completely honest with them and tell them that with your medical condition you are unable to intervene if they get out of control again. Honestly, this is for the protection of the dogs as well; I don't know why they had to be so horrid about it to you.
I can't imagine the anxiety you must be facing as you make such a difficult decision. It sounds to me that you actually have made your decision and know what is best for you - but are still torn... which is TOTALLY understandable!! If you are in a position where your own personal safety and well-being is at risk, then you must think of yourself first. I know that is so hard to do, but you must.
As for the lady you spoke with, some people approach life from one perspective and one perspective only. Don't let one nasty person influence you. Talk to your husband and anybody else who is close and trustworthy and make an educated decision WITH SUPPORT.
My heart and prayers go out to you.
I'm so sorry to hear about all you've been going through. My thoughts are with you and the terribly difficult decision you have to make. :o(
Lisa
http://prettypaperprettyribbons.blogspot.com
Wow, Amy! So much going on.....I feel for you and trust you will make the right decision....whatever that may be. HUGS!
Hi, I am a new follower, I am so sorry about your heartbreaking news, I know its hard to make this kind of decision, I am praying for you.
Rachelle
joyfulhrt at gmail dot com
www.creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com
I'm now a follower. I'm so sorry. Praying for your heartbreak.
This is a heart heart breaking story. I am so sorry you are going through this. It is important to take a moment to gather yourself so that you can make your decisions with your head and not your heart. It is very painful to give up an animal. I don't know if I could. I love my dogs so much. If I had to approach that decision from an emotional perspective I couldn't do it. But what you said about the dogs potentially hurting other animals or even you is something to really consider. So take your time and and I know you will arrive at the right decision for you and your family. That is a decision that only you can make. God Bless you. There are many praying for you including me.
Cindy ... Madison's mom
Hi Amy Jo, I am a new follower and have read this sad post, as an animal lover myself this is very hard for you but please try to think of it this way and I would do this if I was in your position. (I have had a little spaniel of mine a number of years ago pulled to pieces in front of me by two big dogs and I could not do anything, I have to live with that image for the rest of my life and believe me it comes back every so often to haunt me) So I think like this, you have given your dogs a lovely life and they have not wanted or gone without, nobody could love them as much as you have, but with your med condition and the fact that they have already attacked each other and your lovely pig, you have to consider that they are not to be trusted and really are not the same dogs that you brought up, to be kind to them it probably be best to put them to sleep, yes its heard and yes you can cry but the reality is if they got hold of a child where they would be taken away and pts, and you would have legal actions taken against you for the child and you will have to live with that. Remember they have had a good life and they would be safe where they are going, you can take photos and make up a scrapbook writing down all your memories etc to comfort you when you feel down. Sorry to be so straight but you will find the stress this is causing is making you even more sick. Hugs Debbie.:(
Hi, Amy dear. What a dreadful situation to find yourself in! I understand your anxiety and your feelings toward the very unprofessional rescue worker. Maybe she has forgotten what rescue groups DO! I don't know about where you live but here in North Texas, there is a rescue groups that is dedicated to pit bulls and other similar bulldog breeds. It's called Bully Breed Rescue. You might look on the Internet for alternate rescue groups that might take them and try to rehabilitate them. The hard facts about pit bulls is that they are bred to fight and depending on their genetic makeup they sometimes behave like you have described when they reach full maturity. Sometimes its having two of them that seems to trigger the behavior and sometimes it's other factors. I have never owned that breed myself because I can't take the risk of my pet harming another animal or even worse, a human. I have known lots of people who have owned them and had very good luck in that their dogs didn't become aggressive even when they got older. I had two Rottweilers, one of which (a female) was a docile as could be and the other (a male) was more aggressive and eventually killed a neighbor's Min Pin that had gotten out of his yard and wandered over toward my house. After that, he started killing chickens and I had to rehome him immendiately. My point is that you don't need the stress or the liability and I think you have made the right decision to get rid of the dogs even though it hurts so bad to do so. It's especially difficult to find a home for Pits because you don't know if the new owner has intentions of fighting them or not and unless they have lots of experience with that breed, they probably don't know what they're getting into. Too many people get Pits because they have a reputation and make good "guard" or attack dogs. I see stories on the news several times a year about people being attacked, some children, because the owners couldn't control them or they accidentally got out of their yards. I'm not suggesting that you put the dogs down without investigating all the other options but you should make a decision before they have a chance to cause any more damage. I say this because I fear that if you try to separate them when they're fighting or attacking another animal they could quite possibly turn on you or your husband. If there is any way you can separate them in secure enclosures, that would be your best bet until you can act on your decision. I'm just so sorry that you're having to deal with this on top of everything else.
Big hugs,
Anniebee
Oh, Amy
My heart goes out to you. It is such a difficult decision to make, but you MUST put your physical safety first. I know you're heartbroken. Amazingly, with time, your heart will heal although I'm sure doesn't seem possible now. I would research for other Rescue Groups. There are some wonderful groups who will evaluate your dogs and then help you make an informed decision about what is best for them. I hope you find the help and support you need to get through this really difficult time.
Hugs to you and your hubby,
Larelyn
My dear Amy, I am so sorry that you have had such a scare and how upsetting it must be to see your dogs turn like this. Whatever you decide I am sure that it will be the right decision for not only you but your husband too.
Take care and lots of hugs I send to you.
http://lindasimpsoncraftypieceofheaven.blogspot.com
Amy, I am an ANIMAL LOVER, but also an ANIMAL ATTACK surviver!! I got attacked by a German shepard when I was just 4 yr. old and I had to have 300 stitches on my face and head!! The dog had my head in its mouth and my mother had to beat the dog almost to death to get it to release me. I am now a mother and have a 4 yr. old son and we have 2 dogs!! I know it is hard because they are family, but your life and well being and the lives of othere are MORE IMPORTANT!! Even if it is hard I don't feel living with the death or fatal injury of someone else would be worth the pain. If I had any feeling that it could or would happen again I wouldn't waste any time getting rid of them and giving them to someone stronger and more capable of caring for them so that they wouldn't hurt anyone or anything again. You can't take back an accident or a death rather it be an animal or a human. I feel for you, I know it is hard. But there is a point when LIFE must be MORE IMPORTANT!! Have a good week and my thoughts and prayers are with you durning this hard time!!
Amy, I am so sorry to hear about your pets. I am a pet owner and have rescued 5 dogs of my own. I would keep the pig and take the pits to an animal shelter. You will probably have to pay to give them up, but they will be somewhere that someone else could find them a home. Obviously they can't be together anymore because of blood shed. Another thing you need to think about is your homeowners insurance. If your pits get out and hurt anyone of course you will be blamed, but there are plenty of insurance companies that have a list of dogs that they consider very dangerous and it will either cost you a lot more money to keep them or they won't insure you at all. I think you really need to consider yourself, husband, pig and if you have children. I would take your neighbors dog and know that you did the right thing. I know that it is breaking your heart, but you don't want to get hurt or injured by them either. If I were you I would keep looking for a pit rescue in your area or even state and shelters in your area. I hope to hear from you soon. Hugs, Dee:)
Amy, I am sorry to hear about this horrible news. I did just leave you a message, but I have another suggestion that no one is going to be happy with. If you can not get a rescue or a shelter to take the dogs your only choice would be to put them down. This way you know you did the right thing and no one will get hurt. I know it sounds really horrible and others might think I am being mean, but I am not. I would never own a pit because of their reps. I have owned a 200 pound English Mastiff and people were scarred to death of him because of his size and he was a big baby. I know how you feel. I have lost 4 dogs in the last 3 yrs all due to illnesses, and it sucks, but that is the only and last suggestion that I can give to you. Hugs, I am thinking about you. Dee;)
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