Please bear with me as I share something..
I need(for me that is) to put this someplace & wanted to wait until closer to the end of evening on this thread where there are animal lovers & genuine people lovers...(for at least we east coast folks it is close to end of evening).
I have had a pretty heavy heart the past 24 hours.. I went to get the "rescue dog" last evening. A bit apprehensive but really felt led to be there. took my pooches along, as we were all going to do a hike on way home. this new dog had NEVER had a walk in the woods. NEVER. He was going to have a new life with me for sure.
The owner was not there. They had moved out a few weeks prior & just came to let dog out in yard, feed it & put back in basement. They lived about 45 minutes away. The day for euthanizing was Thursday. Apparently the wife never wanted/liked the dog & was abusive to it. He is a pedigree boxer that turned 10 in July.
The next door neighbor & her sister were there & they were so glad I was going to save the dog.
Well, it did not go well.
The dog, as I mentioned, has been physically abused & was very defensive. It seemed happy to be with me jumped in glee, wagged his tail, licked my hands & face but suddenly without any provocation lunged at me & sliced into my ear (ala Mike Tyson)..
that wasn't the killer though..
over the course of the next few hours there it became evident that this dog could perhaps be re socialized but NOT in my situation. No fenced yard.. no separation from my dogs/cats/invalid mom..none of which I was willing to sacrifice.
The pooch on leash did jump into my van & was wagging it's tail & got along with my dogs. My dogs were the aggressors ... probably mostly jealous.
I was in a van w/o kennel or way to keep him separate. My brainstorm of a few lawn chairs did not work. I was going to keep my dogs in front of van & new dog in back (there are no seats as this is a Kennel-van & is used for bikes, kayaks, dogs & hauling.
I had to leave him & would try hard to find someplace to get him next day after 5 - a foster situation etc.
When I left we were all crying.. the neighbor, her sister and me. I felt like such a failure but also felt it would be a big time mistake to change the van ride home & the situation I described.
I wrote up w/my pix an email & sent it to everyone locally. Those also sent it to their lists. My one neighbor was willing to keep him in his fenced yard until a "situation" could be found.
I took Oliver & Toby out on a LONG walk today, wishing Wahoo could be with us.. My dogs normally have two big walks a day (that is running loose etc for an hour or so).. on days when there is only ONE walk, it is much longer 2-3 hours.
When I got home I had the email messages that Wahoo had been euthanized a day earlier...
Part of me feels a relief, it is for the best.. part of me feels a lot of anger (yes, i am a grief counselor & know all about the stages/grief) towards the abusive owners, & also guilt..If I had chanced bringing him with me last night, he would still be alive
Here is his pix that I took. I understand that in 10 years of ownership there was never one pix taken.
RIP dear Wahoo - see you at the rainbow bridge & I when I join you I promise to run and play & hug you..
I promise