Hi again Everyone!!
I have not been ignoring all the wonderful support at all but several things have been going on aside from Dixie's scary and upsetting behavior. First of all, the INTENSE heat here in NY--today it hit 105 with horrendous humidity so it was a lost day. But today was the FIRST DAY IN EIGHT DAYS that Dixie didn't have one vicious incident while hiding. I have all of her favorite territorial spots blocked with clear plastic carpet runners --NUBS UP--so that Dixie cannot get under anything and get comfy. I am more convinced than ever now, that something spooked her on that day that she went temporarily lame and turned vicious from that point on. From the time she lifted that paw and started limping she has been wierd and dangerous when in or under ANYTHING. Anyway, I now firmly believe that something totally TRAUMATIZED her and she is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome--I am not kidding. I am so happy about this FIRST DAY WITHOUT INCIDENT i COULD CRY..I have been so happy for the first time in over a week. My little Dixie, at LEAST FOR THIS DAY, RETURNED TO ME.
The other thing that has me totally concerned and very, very upset is the fact that on Sept 7th, I go in for major lung surgery. I have been agonizing over what to do with Dixie for the week or so I will be in the hospital, esp. with what she is now going thru. I mean who in hell can care for her SAFELY?? Kenneling her is JUST NOT AN OPTION as she will spend 7 days in a crate and could come home worse. The neighbor that normally invites her for play dates with her animals is now afraid of Dixie and I cannot have that either. And so, at this point, it looks like my cleaning lady (who is a doll and can really use the money) will come to MY HOUSE AND LIVE HERE FOR THAT WEEK. This is a pretty good solution I think but here again, she is not a dog person and I wonder if she will be able to keep her cool if Dixie should "go off' on her. I have so many people involved in this horrific situation and also many alerts out. I will def. give Marie directions to my vet in case Dixie really is unmanageable a/o dangnerous. But at this point, this solution is the only one that gives me even a modicum of peace of mind. I am just so worried about Dixie's care while I am gone that words cannot describe my own fears for Dixie.
But today was really GOOD. I was very low key, didn't approach her at all, was quiet and calm and even had her off the leash IN THE HOUSE for a few hours. So maybe, JUST MAYBE (please God) Dixie will slowly get past whatever traumatized so very badly and turned her into Cujo.
I will do my best to keep you all posted on Dixie's progress or not, and I thank you all for being here. Tonite, though, I am at peace knowing that Dixie had such a calm and UNEVENTFUL DAY--God, it was good to see my happy little Yorkie back--I almost trusted her again today. So maybe between now and Sept 7th, she will gain back the confidence she definitely lost when she went temporarily lame from whatever spooked her or hurt her. Thank you all, VERY, VERY MUCH. Sue |