Amy & Jeff: 10/24/11 20th Anniv. Vow Renewal **8/4 - We surrender!**

[LuvLuvLuv]

i think i've started to tell you that i really like your dress about 5 times in the past couple days, but work has been crazy and interrupting... and i realized i didn't tell you! so there... i love your dress, lol!!

 

[pixie921]

i think i've started to tell you that i really like your dress about 5 times in the past couple days, but work has been crazy and interrupting... and i realized i didn't tell you! so there... i love your dress, lol!!

LOL!! Thank you!! I love it, too!!

 

[Jilian]

I love the dress shoes & purse! I was just @ David's the other day admiring those same shoes. Nice choice!

 

[pixie921]

I love the dress shoes & purse! I was just @ David's the other day admiring those same shoes. Nice choice!

Thanks Jilian!! I guess they just recently started carrying those shoes in ivory and white ... they were only in colors before, so I was lucky and it was good timing.

 

[pixie921]

DISCLAIMER: This post is completely non-VR related (aside from the fact that we had to dip into our VR funds to pay for part of this debacle), so please feel free to just skip right over it! I'm just upset and alone and need to let this out.

This afternoon ds fed our 2 dogs and let them into our (fenced) backyard afterward as usual. He heard them barking a few minutes later and went out to get them, but they wouldn't come in. He went into the backyard and found that the dogs had cornered a groundhog. He couldn't get them to leave it, so when he went over to try and get them, our big dog, Shep, started to tussle with it. The groundhog bit him and Shep started screaming. Ds got the groundhog to get away and got the dogs inside and Shep was bleeding. It wasn't a big, gaping wound, but still, he was bitten.

We tried to reach our vet but they were closed, and the local Emergency vets don't carry vaccines. Our local PetSmart vet said we could bring him in but first we had to call the State Dept of Agriculture to see what the protocol is. They told me since we didn't manage to catch the groundhog, we have to assume it was rabid and if Shep isn't current on his rabies shot (Jeff thinks he is, I'm not sure; I had literally pulled out the vet's number this afternoon to call to set an appt. to make sure the dogs were vaccinated, if you can believe that), then we have to put him down.

The vet flushed the wound, gave him antibiotics, and a rabies booster. She said there's only been one reported case of rabies in a groundhog in the state this year, so we're probably safe; however, the state still requires what they require. So we spent almost $200 and we may still lose our dog due to what would be our own stupidity and procrastination. I am a terrible dog mom!

And then to make things even worse, Jeff was on his way home when it all happened, and I was watching for him to get here. He turned onto our street (we're 5 houses off the main road) and then a big, black pickup truck came barrelling after him. The guy stopped in front of our house and started screaming that Jeff had cut him off. He was swearing, screaming, and threatening. I wasn't worried about Jeff physically ... he's a trained bodyguard and 6th degree black belt in aikido and has trained the Detroit SWAT team (but I do have to remind him that he can't outrun speeding bullets), but now this psycho knows where we live!

Jeff yelled to the guy that he (the idiot) was doing 80 up the center lane, but that he didn't cut him off, and the guy kept screaming. Jeff yelled "I'm sorry, I don't have time to deal with this" and came inside. The guy sat out in front in his truck for a couple of minutes and then drove off. I'm scared we're going to wake up to slashed tires and keyed cars.

So my afternoon consisted of rabies and road rage. Not fun, not good, and now we have to pray that Jeff's right and I'm wrong about Shep being current on his vaccine.

So if you have a prayer or a good thought to send our way, it would be very much appreciated.

 

[princesswendy720]

I am a dog mommy and I'd be devastated if something happened to my pup. I know state rules vary for Rabies...it is once a year here in NJ but there are some states where it is once every 3 years.

 

[Jilian]

I'm sorry about your dog and that jerk who followed your H home. That is scary! Did you get a plate #? If so maybe you could report him just in case something does happen? I hope tomorrow is a better day!

 

[BethieTink]

DISCLAIMER: This post is completely non-VR related (aside from the fact that we had to dip into our VR funds to pay for part of this debacle), so please feel free to just skip right over it! I'm just upset and alone and need to let this out.

This afternoon ds fed our 2 dogs and let them into our (fenced) backyard afterward as usual. He heard them barking a few minutes later and went out to get them, but they wouldn't come in. He went into the backyard and found that the dogs had cornered a groundhog. He couldn't get them to leave it, so when he went over to try and get them, our big dog, Shep, started to tussle with it. The groundhog bit him and Shep started screaming. Ds got the groundhog to get away and got the dogs inside and Shep was bleeding. It wasn't a big, gaping wound, but still, he was bitten.

We tried to reach our vet but they were closed, and the local Emergency vets don't carry vaccines. Our local PetSmart vet said we could bring him in but first we had to call the State Dept of Agriculture to see what the protocol is. They told me since we didn't manage to catch the groundhog, we have to assume it was rabid and if Shep isn't current on his rabies shot (Jeff thinks he is, I'm not sure; I had literally pulled out the vet's number this afternoon to call to set an appt. to make sure the dogs were vaccinated, if you can believe that), then we have to put him down.

The vet flushed the wound, gave him antibiotics, and a rabies booster. She said there's only been one reported case of rabies in a groundhog in the state this year, so we're probably safe; however, the state still requires what they require. So we spent almost $200 and we may still lose our dog due to what would be our own stupidity and procrastination. I am a terrible dog mom!

And then to make things even worse, Jeff was on his way home when it all happened, and I was watching for him to get here. He turned onto our street (we're 5 houses off the main road) and then a big, black pickup truck came barrelling after him. The guy stopped in front of our house and started screaming that Jeff had cut him off. He was swearing, screaming, and threatening. I wasn't worried about Jeff physically ... he's a trained bodyguard and 6th degree black belt in aikido and has trained the Detroit SWAT team (but I do have to remind him that he can't outrun speeding bullets), but now this psycho knows where we live!

Jeff yelled to the guy that he (the idiot) was doing 80 up the center lane, but that he didn't cut him off, and the guy kept screaming. Jeff yelled "I'm sorry, I don't have time to deal with this" and came inside. The guy sat out in front in his truck for a couple of minutes and then drove off. I'm scared we're going to wake up to slashed tires and keyed cars.

So my afternoon consisted of rabies and road rage. Not fun, not good, and now we have to pray that Jeff's right and I'm wrong about Shep being current on his vaccine.

So if you have a prayer or a good thought to send our way, it would be very much appreciated.

OMG Amy!!! I am so sorry you have had to go through all this. I am sending huge positive vibes that everything works out okay. I am cat mom, so I understand how much you love Shep.

Hope that tomorrow is better for you and that Shep feels better soon.

 

[elleinad16]

hugs to you and hubby and the pups!

 

[pixie921]

I am a dog mommy and I'd be devastated if something happened to my pup. I know state rules vary for Rabies...it is once a year here in NJ but there are some states where it is once every 3 years.

I'm sorry about your dog and that jerk who followed your H home. That is scary! Did you get a plate #? If so maybe you could report him just in case something does happen? I hope tomorrow is a better day!

OMG Amy!!! I am so sorry you have had to go through all this. I am sending huge positive vibes that everything works out okay. I am cat mom, so I understand how much you love Shep.

Hope that tomorrow is better for you and that Shep feels better soon.

hugs to you and hubby and the pups!

Thanks, girls.

All the cars were okay this a.m., so that was a happy thing, LOL. Hopefully that will be the end of that. Why are people so horrible??

On the bad news front, we have indeed been horribly neglectful pet parents. Shep is not up to date, and so we unfortunately have to put him down. I am absolutely furious with myself for being so stupid and not making sure he was current. I feel like throwing up.

Jeff is taking it pretty well, considering Sheppie is really his baby. He did point out that Shep is 10-1/2 and has cataracts and arthritis (his legs sometimes go out from underneath him when he's trying to stand -- that kills me) and he's become a bit crabby and snappish (he went after ds' girlfriend and our niece this week, both of whom he honestly knows and loves). He said he's been thinking that we might have to go this route in the next year or two so it just sucks that it's happening now.

I told him to make appts for our other dog and our two cats to make sure they're all caught up on EVERYTHING ASAP.

So ... that's my bummer update. It's nothing but our own fault and I'm absolutely sick about it.

 

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

Oh Amy, I'm so so sorry. Sending a million your way!!! Thinking of you at this sad time xx

 

[NicknNancy]

I'm so sorry to hear about that ! I have 2 cats and they are my babies! I couldn't imaging having to put them down (even though I know one day I will have to). Be strong! I will be sending prayers your way.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Amy, I am so sorry that all of this has happened. This really is not fair. I can understand that you are heartbroken.

Corinna

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

oh no i'm just catching up now and i am soooooo sorry

i don't know what i'd do if something happened to baxter i'm calling right now to check on his shots--i'm bad about time escaping me. i'm just devastated for you. lots of prayers for your family

 

[pixie921]

Oh Amy, I'm so so sorry. Sending a million your way!!! Thinking of you at this sad time xx

I'm so sorry to hear about that ! I have 2 cats and they are my babies! I couldn't imaging having to put them down (even though I know one day I will have to). Be strong! I will be sending prayers your way.

Amy, I am so sorry that all of this has happened. This really is not fair. I can understand that you are heartbroken.

Corinna

You guys, I appreciate the support so much. I can't even tell you, because I have been so upset about this and know that it's all our own fault. I feel so guilty and so responsible, and there's no getting around it, and just ... ugh. And his poor little paw is all raw and red, and he's so sad in his crate.

Jeff has an appointment at 5:30 tomorrow to have it done, and then he'll take him to be cremated right away so he can keep Shep's ashes.

oh no i'm just catching up now and i am soooooo sorry

i don't know what i'd do if something happened to baxter i'm calling right now to check on his shots--i'm bad about time escaping me. i'm just devastated for you. lots of prayers for your family

You know, that makes me so happy ... the idea that something good would come from this and someone else's furbaby will all up to date.

to all of you for your kindness and understanding!!

 

[donald&daisy]

Have you actually looked at the rabies control act in your state? In Arkansas you can do a quarantine either at a vet clinic or at your local shelter and then your dog can go home. I would make someone show me the law before I even considered euthanizing my pet. I only know this because I run my City's animal shelter. Of course, that would be expensive and it sounds like your doggie has had a nice long life. I just wanted to put the option out there.

 

[pixie921]

Have you actually looked at the rabies control act in your state? In Arkansas you can do a quarantine either at a vet clinic or at your local shelter and then your dog can go home. I would make someone show me the law before I even considered euthanizing my pet. I only know this because I run my City's animal shelter. Of course, that would be expensive and it sounds like your doggie has had a nice long life. I just wanted to put the option out there.

Thanks for thinking of us, and thanks for the PM (I PM'd you back). Michigan requires a 6-month total quarantine -- no human or animal contact other than meals, etc. -- if you elect not to euthanize. We can't bear to do that to him.

Jeff told everyone at his office today what happened, and at least 3 of them were going to go home and make appointments to have their dogs' vaccines brought up to date. I'm glad for that; hopefully others will be spared the guilt, regret and all the other ugly things that go with our neglecting to vaccinate on time.

 

[starrynightgrly]

I'm soooo sorry to hear about your dog I love animals and know what a tough time you must be going through. Your in my thoughts

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Oh heavens my sweet Amy - As you know, I was away for a couple of days and missed the first of these sad posts. I really don't know what to say!! My heart goes out to you all. We don't have pets at the moment - our jobs and shifts means it would not be fair on an animal, but I have had dogs in the past and know how they become one of the family.
I suppose, in a way, one good thing may be that Shep has gone from your lives now before he became older and, maybe, did something in his old-age that may have tainted your precious memories of him. It sounds as if it may have been going in that direction, doesn't it?
It makes me so grateful that we don't have rabies at all here. They have it in Europe, but us being an island, it makes it easier (with strict restrictions) to keep it away from our shores!!
My hugs, love and prayers go out to you and the boys, sweetie. Keep your chin up at this most difficult time.

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Oh my gosh I'm so sorry. I'm cuddling with my dog right now, and I can't imagine what you're going through. We're already planning on getting his shots done next weekend, but now it is a DEFINITE need.

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