Please Help: My Dog Killed My Other Dog Today-Updated Post #166

[Christine]

There are dog rescues, who practice no kill. There are rescues in every state, for virtually every breed. A shelter is not the only option. Just for your future reference, since you obviously were not aware of the existence of canine rescue.

I was aware of rescues but only thought that they applied to certain breeds. Like I know there is a retriever rescue and a JRT rescue but, my JRT does not have papers, and I didn't think they would take her.

Not blaming anyone or really making excuses. You're would be correct in assuming that I did not pursue it aggressively.

 

[Christine]

I haven't read but the first page of replies but I am a bit disturbed about the rush to put Paisley down. Obviously there were some territorial issues between these two dogs. It probably means that you will have to be a one dog family and if you are okay with that, Paisley is good with your family, guests, etc. then that is the answer. If she has shown aggression towards humans than that's another thing. I was told when I got Jude that the only cat he ever liked was a Maine Coon Cat that he grew up with but otherwise, he can't live in a house with cats. I have accepted that we will be a "no cat house". Its a concession. You have already lost one baby, don't put yourself through another loss unnecessarily. If you are angry with Paisley and can't find it in your heart to forgive her, then place her in another home that can understand that she doesn't like other dogs. I can tell you that if Chelsea, my five pound toy poodle could have killed Annie the standard after she had been the only dog in the house for 5 years, she would have.

Thank you Dawn.

There have been two cases of *possible* aggression, I suppose.

One when my dad stuck his hand between the fighting dogs. I believe that was an accident and so does he.

Two, there was one time when Paisley was lounging on the carpet and my son (who as about 9 at the time) decided to get up and starting jumping around the family room with his Star Wars Laser. Paisley did not like that and she sat up and barked at him. He stopped and Paisley laid back down.

 

[Independent]

My DH looked all over the yard. Paisley has a round patch of flesh (about the size of a 50-cent piece) just pulled from her body. No puncture. The hair is totally gone and there is just this raw flesh.

Lola's neck wounds (which I stared at for an eternity) were two punctures. One the diameter of a pencil eraser and once that was double the size of that. With the bigger puncture, I could see right into her neck. To me, those look exactly like bites.

We cannot find Paisley's hair that was pulled off.

Do you have owls, eagles or other predatory birds in the area? I know our neighborhood has lost some smaller dogs and cats to owls & eagles the past few years.

Those puncture marks on the neck could be talon marks.

 

[horseshowmom]

Two, there was one time when Paisley was lounging on the carpet and my son (who as about 9 at the time) decided to get up and starting jumping around the family room with his Star Wars Laser. Paisley did not like that and she sat up and barked at him. He stopped and Paisley laid back down.

I wouldn't even count that one as aggression. Our dogs do that too if there's a lot of commotion going on (like when the washing machine was acting up or DH and DD are "cutting up").

 

[DawnCt1]

Thank you Dawn.

There have been two cases of *possible* aggression, I suppose.

One when my dad stuck his hand between the fighting dogs. I believe that was an accident and so does he.

Two, there was one time when Paisley was lounging on the carpet and my son (who as about 9 at the time) decided to get up and starting jumping around the family room with his Star Wars Laser. Paisley did not like that and she sat up and barked at him. He stopped and Paisley laid back down.

I don't consider a human who gets bit trying to break up a dog fight a "target of aggression". Its an accident. They are unaware. A dog barking isn't a sign of aggression, growling is. I can't imagine how you feel. First the loss of your Lola coupled with anger I would be feeling at Paisley. It natural even if you understand it. Don't make any decisions about putting her down while you are angry or hurt. It will make you feel even worse than you do now.

 

[DawnCt1]

I wouldn't even count that one as aggression. Our dogs do that too if there's a lot of commotion going on (like when the washing machine was acting up or DH and DD are "cutting up").

Exactly. Annie used to run around the pool barking like crazy when the kids were splashing and yelling. Its what dogs do.

 

[TigerKat]

Christine, my heart aches for you. Nothing is black or white, only you can make any decisions needed, but not right now. I pray for you to find peace in your mind with what happened and hope that you will be guided to make the right decisions at the right time. This has been an awful day for you, I will continue to pray for you, my friend.

 

[TeresaNJ]

I don't think any of this is your fault, but I understand how we always second guess ourselves. I initially thought you should put Paisley down, but the more I read, the more I'm not sure. It would probably be one of the hardest things I had to do if I were in the situation you are in. We did have to put our black lab down after he bit my nephew with no provocation. As a puppy he went after a few trick or treaters, biting one in the calf but didn't break skin. He never did anything like that again until about three years later, when my son's friend went to pet him and he lunged at his arm but missed. I was shaken and wanted to put him down then, but he was my husband's dog, we had recently gotten married, and I wasn't around for the Halloween episode. When he went after my nephew that was the last straw. I'll never understand it, other than those three episodes, he was gentle, loving, cuddly, and sweet. I just couldn't continue to worry that he would do this to a baby. My husband was devastated, I felt very bad but wasn't as attached. It's a terrible decision to have to make.

 

[Christine]

While my son is very angry at Paisley now, when he heard me discussing "putting Paisley down" he had a fit. My son said to me "I always thought Paisley was going to do something to Lola, Lola was always chasing her and nipping at her and Lola would never back down." He thinks that maybe Paisley will be "better" now.

Poor guy hasn't eaten all day and wants to go spend the night at his grandma's house.

 

[Christine]

I don't think any of this is your fault, but I understand how we always second guess ourselves.

I thank you for the sentiment. I still just feel like it's ALL my fault. I never want to do the "hard" thing (like push harder to find Lola another home) and this time it backfired. I will probably never forgive myself. Sorry, I'm not REALLY trying to be a martyr, I'm just sick over all of this.

 

[beattyfamily]

Oh my. Your post is the first post ever to make me cry.

I'm so so sorry this happened to you and your family. Your poor baby. Its not your fault though. Please don't blame yourself.

As I sit here with my 5 toy poodles it just breaks my heart to read what happened to you...I would just about die if I had gone through the same thing.

I have 3 boys and 2 girls, and one of my boys is blind so because he can't see, he's constantly getting attached by his brother. He might get too close to him when he has food or just walks too close to him and/or crashes into him and so he gets attacked. Now, thanks to your post, I'll be more careful and aware with the two of them than I've been in the past. I know how hard it would be for me to think about putting him down if he killed his brother. Thankfully, no one's ever gotten hurt. I think its more bark than bite but it's still scary.

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you how very sorry I am. God bless you and may he help you through this and please know I understand totally why you would want to keep the other dog. You do what's best for you and not worry what anyone else thinks.

Take care.

 

[twinklebug]

I still just feel like it's ALL my fault. ... I will probably never forgive myself. Sorry, I'm not REALLY trying to be a martyr, I'm just sick over all of this.

I PMed you Christine.

For your son, when you're ready, consider planting a memorial tree for lola in the yard. Something that will continue to grow and bloom for years to come.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't know what I would do. My first thought was to put the other dog to sleep, because I don't know if I could trust it again. But reading all your added comments, I'm not sure what happened. Maybe something else got into your yard and attacked your little dog. Maybe something got in and agitated the little dog and the other one was afraid and attacked out of fear. Or maybe the little dog was trying to squeeze under the fence and the other dog attacked then.
I don't know.
I think talking to the vet, who can look at the injuries and evaluate them should be helpful. If you have a digital camera, maybe take some pictures of the fence too. That might help the vet.

Also, I don't know if she checks her email every day, but I have heard this lady, Katie K9, on her radio call-in show where she answers caller's questions. She really seems to have a very good insight into dogs, dominence and what motivates dogs. She might be able to help you if you email her.

And, there was no way that you could been totally vigilant with those 2 dogs 24 hours a day. Maybe there was more you could have done, but 'what if' will just make you crazy. You did what you thought you could do.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Christine, I am so very sorry. I truly feel that your vet will help you make the right decision. I am also sure that you will know what to do. Again, I am so sorry.

 

[tevagirl]

I am so sorry, Christine. What a horrible thing to have happen.

 

[Freyja]

I am so sorry.

 

[chyam]

Christine........please know that my heart aches for you and this is coming from someone who had a similar situation about 10 years ago.........at the time I had 4 dogs, the one that was attacked was a Saluki (Flutter) who was such a gentle soul, but once they taste blood it is hard to make them stop, I immediately had the other 3 put down........it was awful but I could not even look at them for what they had done, I cried for days, I wouldn't leave my bed, I just kept thinking that it could have been a child or one of my cats. I have to agree with the others you should have someone have that dog put down, you will never be able to trust it again especially if you want another dog. I will say a prayer tonight for Lola and hope that she did not suffer. You also need to think about your son, now that your other dog doesn't have Lola to pick on she may turn on him...........I'm sorry but I simply could not trust that dog.

 

[Pugdog007]

I'm so, so sorry. Prayers to you and your family during this difficult time.

I've had dog fights before between my pugs, but never would I consider that one could kill the other. This is not your fault.

 

[Taylor]

I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

I am so sorry for your loss today Christine. In a way, you have experienced 2 losses - the loss of your beloved pet and the loss of trust in your other dog. You must be heartbroken.