[DollyCali]

Just got home from my support group at church. Heavy discussion as one can imagine at times with a grief support group. I have facilitated several dozen of these types of groups & each is unique & special for participants.

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

[Darksheare]

Drats.
Vengeance upon his previous owners.
Peace upon you and yours.

[Dog]

You tried Dolly ....you really tried.

Chin up..

[HairOfTheDog]

So sorry ((((DollyCali))))

((((Wahoo))))

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Dolly,
I imagine what you must feel. It's heartbreaking, but it may be for the best. After what those horrible owners did to that poor dog, he may not have been safe to be around. You did the best you could. I sure wish it turned out differently.

[Victoria Delsoul]

I'm so sorry to hear that, Dolly. He was a beautiful dog.

Perhaps he's in a better place now.

Who's this—alone with stone and sky?
It's only my old dog and I—
It's only him; it's only me;
Alone with stone and grass and tree.

What share we most—we two together?
Smells, and awareness of the weather.
What is it makes us more than dust?
My trust in him; in me his trust.

Here's anyhow one decent thing
That life to man and dog can bring;
One decent thing, remultiplied
Till earth's last dog and man have died.

Man and Dog
--Siegfried Sassoon

[tuliptree76]

Oh no! You tried, Dolly. That's more than what the owners did. Some people don't deserve to have pets. And sometimes, we are a little too late, and there isn't much that we can do about it. You gave him a little love before his time came, and I'm sure he appreciated it.

((((Dolly))))

[The Mayor]

That is a true shame Dolly but my friend you did the right thing. You tried and that is all that you could do. They are beautiful dogs, a friend has one and she is a doll.

10 years in an unhealthy atmosphere is tough and it would be hard to break old habits and inner feelings.

I hope and Pray that your ear is OK, see a doctor, K?

[HoHoeHeaux]

Oh bless your heart. What a sad, sad story and what a dreaddful life that poor dog must have had. But look at that pix you took! He was so happy. You gave him happiness on last day on this earth. I feel awful for you tho. I am so sorry.

Thanks for the ping HOTD, and... I love the cat and dog haiku!

[JustAmy]

Ohhhh .... what a beautiful dog.

What a horrible experience for you and Wahoo. I do not know why people take animals if they are not going to give them the love they deserve.

Poor Wahoo. I'm sure he is romping and playing with others at the Rainbow Bridge.

Have your ear checked tomorrow; you don't want to ignore it and let it get infected.

((((( Dolly )))))

[potlatch]

I think you make a wonderful effort Dolly, don't blame yourself. If he had been raised with love he would not have been so agressive.

Thankyou for pinging me HairOfTheDog.

[Mama_Bear]

Your story made me cry, because I know how badly you feel. Bless your kind, gentle heart, Dolly. You did what you could and that is all anyone can do.

I am so sorry this story didn't end differently, for Wahoo and for you.

[prairiebreeze]

What a beautiful animal. He didn't start out as a rough dog and the previous owners are despicable.

You did your best and that's all anybody can do.

[Billie]

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

Dolly, that breaks my heart for you, and for Wahoo that he had to live in a 'prison' for 10 years. It is no wonder his behavior was confusing. People that mistreat animals (and he *was* mistreated) have absolutely no business owning one.

You tried so hard, Dolly, please don't beat yourself up over circumstances beyond your control.

Weinie and Codee and Mits and Bear and all our others will see he never has an unhappy day again.

[TweetyinOhio]

Dolly, you do have such a big heart, I know that if the situation was different you would have worked it out. I'm sorry things didn't go just right. Hang in there, the boxer is in a good place with The Lord.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

I'm glad to know you, DollyCali. You are a very conscientious person, the world is a better place for your efforts. The Mayor is right, do take care of your ear tho.

[lysie]

*Crying*

Oh, Dolly you have such a kind heart.

I understand all the emotions you are going through. ((Dolly))

I'm a believer that dogs have little concept of time, so the good loving moments Wahoo got from you were like a lifetime of tender care to him. ((Wahoo))

Now, I'm off to hug my pets.

[MEG33]

I saw you reference this on the other thread...and went back and hunted..Oh, dear..

.I am so sorry this happened .It sounds like Wahoo is better off now at the Rainbow Bridge than with the owners..Some people do not deserve pets.

You gave it your best..You have a loving heart.

Take care of yourself..Hope your ear gets well soon.

[Titan Magroyne]

I'm so sorry that, in an attempt to help a creature in need, you are left with the guilt that belongs to the dog's owners. But you wisely chose to keep peace in your home, and in your heart you know there was only so much you could do.

Years ago, my parents took in a pom that evidently some woman had abused. He's had a happy 8 years with them and may soon need to take that final trip. I'm just glad that the little guy enjoyed life as a beloved pet after whatever happened to him up to the age of 6.

And I know what you mean about not making a bad match between one's pets and a rescue. For about 7 months, I kept 2 fosters whom I was suckered into rescueing. The female was dominant and so is one of my dogs, so keeping them separated was a must. Plus, even the sweet little male was food aggressive toward my puppy. In getting ready for a road trip, I was forced to enclose all 4 dogs in my van for a few hours while I was in a class at work. My youngest was in her crate, which was positioned to block the aisle in front of the bench seat in back where the 2 fosters were, along with a piece of plywood on top to hopefully keep the fosters and my dominant female apart. Well, luckily (?) the fosters distracted themselves with shreading a nice shirt I had hanging back there and ripped into some bags of potato chips, leaving my dog alone. I ended up paying a ridiculous amount of money to board those 2, as there was no way of accomodating all 4 dogs on my trip to see friends. I don't really regret the money that I spent to ensure their well-being and happiness, but I won't get suckered into doing it again, either. :o)

[dixie sass]

Dolly, As you noted I'm two day late in reading the story about WaHoo. What a beautiful face he had and he was smiling too.

I'm sure he is happier where he is than with the two people that owned him. Forgive my anger at them, but they should be euthanized for their treatment of him.

You must have a lot of stars in your crown.

[SnarlinCubBear]

He's a gorgeous bear, Dolly. So sorry, for him, and you.

Dogs should not be made to live like he lived.

It's just so sad.