Saturday, my Beloved and I were scheduled to walk in the MS Walk here in Phoenix. A friend of ours from California flew out to walk with us. Friday night they were chatting, and because we had to get up at 3:30 am, I went to bed about 9:30.
About 11:30 that night, my Beloved came into the bedroom carrying our 14lb Chihuahua / terrier mix, Joey, and very calmly told me I needed to get up and drive her and the dog to the Emergency Animal Hospital. It seems our 70lb shelter rescue dog, Sadie, had gone ballistic and attacked Joey.
3 hours and $400 later, we were on our way home with our bandaged pooch. I had declined an overnight stay at the hospital for my little dog, and declined many other items suggested by the vet on duty. I left with the dog, an anti-inflammatory, an antibiotic, and some pain killers (1/2 a pill every 8 – 12 hours as needed).
I love that little dog, Joey. Probably more than I ought to. Certainly more than I have ever loved a dog before. I would be heartsick if she died. She has been a household member for almost 7 years now. However, Joey is a dog, and there is a limit to how much money I will spend on a dog. In the current economic condition for the Cliffmeister household, $400 was pushing that limit pretty hard.
Sadie has been a good dog, and has never exhibited aggressive behavior before. I doubt if Joey, who thinks she is the alpha dog, is completely innocent in this confrontation. However, I know that Joey can growl and snap, but does not bite. Sadie, who does not growl or snap, is evidently quite capable of killing. My Beloved, who witnessed the entire event, grabbed Sadie and struggled with her for quite a time before she was able to rescue Joey. Joey suffered multiple lacerations of 4 cm (1.5 inches), many puncture wounds, and heavy bruising. Sadie now appears intent on finishing the task she started, and lunges at Joey when she sees her. Sadie is now on a short rope in the back yard.
This is difficult on so many levels. I prayed for Joey, and I cried that night in my bed when I thought she wasn’t going to make it through the night. Then I felt guilty, or at least ridiculous, for praying for and crying over a dog. Sadie has been with us for 9 months. She has been a good dog, but she cannot stay with us.
We have two other small dogs (Jaimee and Moby), and I don’t want a repeat of Friday night’s activities. Jaimee is obviously afraid of Sadie now, and yet somehow very protective of Joey. Moby is a pup, and apparently unfazed by all this commotion.
Joey is probably not innocent, and yet Sadie will bear 100% of the remaining consequences. I am going to take her to the shelter tomorrow, and explain exactly what happened. I believe Sadie would be an excellent companion for someone without other dogs and I would not recommend placing her with a family that has children. What the shelter decides to do with her at that point is up to the shelter.
I am not pleased at all with the situation and how it is going to turn out. In hindsight, I guess I should have stuck with either all little dogs or all big dogs.
Regarding the Emergency Animal Hospital, I am grateful they were there and open and had a vet waiting for us. I did not like the bill, or the implication that I was somehow negligent in not giving them carte blanche to repair my little Joey.
I am taking little Joey to my regular vet for a bandage change and general look over this afternoon. He is a good, honest, fair vet. I know he will be respectful, tell a joke or two, and be generally sympathetic to the situation. He has treated all 4 of my dogs.
I’m sure Cesar Milan would know exactly what to do. I don’t, and I’m not home during the day. I only know this way of preventing a little canine murder.
God Bless,
Cliff
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