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Thursday, October 1, 2015

Taking a break

With very heavy hearts, we will be taking a break from blogging for the foreseeable future. 

As everyone knows, we have been fostering and failing for DRNA for several years now, and we are at the end of our ropes with regard to a pack member who is a biter .  We knew that this pack member was one when we opened our hearts and home to them, and actually did not see it for several months, long after we finalized the adoption process (so much for fostering!)  

Over the course of the past 15 months, this pack member has bitten three people who are not family members- breaking the skin twice. We reported the bite incident the first time as it occurred in our home, the second incident was reported by the bitee before we even had a chance to do so, and tonight a third person, in her 70s, was bitten and blood was drawn.  I had the pack out for oblutions and was corralling Sweetie , thinking erroneously that the other three members were already back inside.  Out of the blue, and not heeding any commands given, this woman was bitten on the back of her left calf.   I know her by sight from the neighborhood, assured her that the rabies shots and all others are up to date and offered to pay her medical expenses. Her companion kept going on about the need for a tetanus shot and the two went home to bandage the leg.   

I had Geoff call our vet, who is aware of this pack member's history, including the biting.  We were advised that we had to wait to see what animal control would do.  We also contacted DRNA, who told us that we would have to put the animal in question down as they no longer had any trainers who could help and that this animal was not adoptable, even with living with us for almost three years and going to training, etc.  Our vet contacted our city's animal control and now we have to wait until we hear from them.  A mandatory 10 day quarantine must occur and will - the animal in question is in a crate as I type this.  Our city is a no kill city, so we have no idea what will happen, but the prognosis is not good.  

Please keep us and our pack in your prayers- I had to put Chip down a year ago for atacking and biting me and I still have trouble dealing with that, and am looking at the same thing again, albeit for different bite issues.

We have also decided that as our pack goes to the Rainbow Bridge, we will not be replacing them.  We love our dachshunds and our beagle Sweetie, but this has proven to be too much .

UPDATE-  Snoopy has been taken into quarantine by the city health department.  He will be there for ten days and we are allowed to visit, but since this is his third incident, he will most likely be put down at the end of the quarantine.  Geoff is following to help get him out at the other end and he is quite upset and aggressive.  My heart is breaking but I don't know what else I can do for him.  


10 comments:

Hailey and Zaphod and their Lady said...

My heart is sad to hear that you are dealing with all of this. Take care of yourselves and know you are in our thoughts and hearts.

Two French Bulldogs said...

Sending our thoughts your way. Hang in there
Snorts,
Lily & Edward

easyweimaraner said...

I'm so sorry... for you, for Snoopy and for Chip... I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers... and I send you a big hug... that's so sad...

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

We are so very sorry to hear this. Our hearts are breaking for Snoopy and all of you. ((Hugs))

stellaroselong said...

This breaks our heart.
stella rose

The Ladies of Beaglebratz Manor said...

Oh Agnes - Such a sad and horrible time you are having and with everything else you have been through the past few years - what with personal medical and with your pack. I have never dealt with a biter in all my years of being a doggy mom - have no idea what I would do. I do wish I could take it all away and I wish we lived closer so I could be with you at such a difficult time. I do hope I will see you on FB a little - with all that is happening, it is good to "talk" it out and not keep it all in. I will pray for you, Geoff and your pack and for Snoopy too. Keeping you all in my thoughts.
Mom Kim

Sheltie Times said...

You are in our prayers. This has to be a huge blow to you and your family. I do hope this does not create even bigger health issues for you. We will miss you and hope that all of you can find peace.

Millie and Walter said...

We are so sorry to hear this news. We know that you did all that you could to help make Snoopy better but sometimes it just isn't enough. You didn't fail him because you did try. Sometimes our rescues come with too much baggage and all the loving in the world can't make it better. We will keep our paws crossed for all of you during this difficult time.

TimberLove said...

We send much respect and sincere wishes that the future holds nothing but good for you and yours,

NukNuk & Family

White Dog Blog said...

We were wiggy-waggy overjoyed to hear that your boy has been given a reprieve after quarantine and will be allowed to come home. And your preventative solution for the future sounds like everyone in the family wins. We never gave up believing.