Feeling like a horrible mommy to Sophie

[danniko]

We will likely still go to the dog park when Sophie is ready to go - she didn't do that well in the store tonight with the other dog that was there but she was happier to see people than she was before - odd little dog.

If we avoided dog parks until we could afford emergency vet appointments, our dog would never go anywhere. We will likely never have a lot of spare money...we are trying to save money to buy a house soon so we no longer live between my parents' house and his parents' house and we are hoping to start a human family when we are able to move out.

Obviously, if it was an extreme emergency, we have the money to pay for whatever she needs...it would just use a fair chunk of our savings - which is hard to build back up because we live off of one income at the moment...but I would never let her suffer.

I am not trying to sound rude but I just don't like being made to feel like since I don't have thousands of extra dollars to spend in case of an emergency that I should make her spend the rest of her life alone and basically inside. I do the best I can for her and by saying that I should avoid dog parks until I can afford immediate vet care makes me feel like I have no business having her because if I can't afford it then I shouldn't have her because her quality of life will suffer if I try to avoid all situations that could end in disaster.

On that note, she is probably going back to the vet anyway in the morning.

[VelvetRose]

Originally Posted by impish

Being a good parent isn't about doing it perfectly. It's about caring and learning from the times you don't do it perfectly. And truely things happen that aren't always in your control. She is fine, home and safe with her family. Give her extra love and learn from the incident.

And thank goodness she's going to be fine.

^ I couldn't have said it better. She is lucky to have a Mamma who loves and cares for her so much.

[Ellie May]

I didn't say hundreds of dollars of cash should be available at all times though. There should be a way to pay in an emergency (credit card, Care Credit). That's not to say that you don't currently have a system in place. I think insurance would really benefit your pup.

I understand at first it wasn't apparent that your pup should see a vet. However, now for the future you know bites do require a vet assessment. Not long ago I saw a dog that had gotten bit. Owner didn't think much of it. Ended up being over a joint. There were some serious questions about whether the leg was going to be okay after hundreds of dollars of surgery to drain the infection.

Also, I'm sure your pup is UTD on rabies. If not (and really even if she is), there is a whole 'nother issue with her and your safety now because the owner of the other dogs got away.

[danniko]

She is UTD on her rabies, we wouldn't have taken her anywhere without her being so. I know dog bites should be looked into right away, that is why I was feeling like a horrible mom to Sophie, I was just too shaken up and honestly, wasn't thinking straight - but no worries, now I know to take her right away. I love our vet but I feel like if I had gone right away she wouldn't still be acting the way she is...but as soon as we get to the vet she acts perfectly normal again...my husband thinks she is just playing head games with me...but she is completely not herself, she lays there staring at me and acts like a ragdoll when I move her. She isn't sleeping, she just lays there staring off into space...but when we get to the vet she bounces around and barks for attention.

We have looked into insurance many times but I don't know which one is best for her/which company is best. I started looking into again last night, but I have no idea which one would be best for her or us.

Thanks though, I didn't mean to come off as rude...I was just stressed from being told that my mom was going to be in the hospital for at least another 5 days (she went in for dehydration and stomach bleeding, then she got an infection where her stomach drain is and now they think she may have another blood clot in her lung and on top of that she just had chemo last week...) . So I didn't mean to come off as rude, but I am just worried about my mom and to be honest, Sophie means the world to me and I hated feeling like I was ruining her quality of life.

[Ellie May]

You aren't ruining her quality of life because you are getting it taken care of. I wonder if she is more traumatized than anything. Can you check her temp? Gums pink and wet? Pretty surprised they didn't give you a take home antibiotic. She will probably be needing one.

I had just gotten a pup this summer and another dog (relative's dog) bit a piece of his ear off. Thread is actually on YT. He came out of it just fine with Cephalexin. I'm sure your girl will too.

[Evenflo09]

I'm so happy to know she is doing so good! When you wrote that she was shaking her head and rubbing, I was thinking there might have been a cut or nip somewhere. I know what you mean about funds. My husband and I live from pay check to pay check right now. I'm disabled and get a small check once a month, but he recently went on short term disability, and things are ruff right now,LOL. I don't have much money to buy either of my babies all the things I'd love for them to have, but they are loved and cared for to the best of my ability, and I'm sure it's the same for you too! About the dog park. I don't think you should stop taking your baby there, but if she has shown anxiety since the attack ( submissive urination like you said she did ) then I would wait a bit and give her time to calm down. I would also try to keep her away from ALL dogs for a couple days if that's possible. Not just because she is traumatised ( which she is ), but because other dogs will sense and smell this from her. It could be a possible second attack. Dogs will naturally become dominate or try to dominate another dog that's feeling insecure or fearful. She must feel very secure with the vet and that's a great thing! If this is your go to place, then maybe take her to another part of the park away from the scene of the crime so to speak? I know your worried, but sounds like you are doing all in your power to love and care for her! I just wish like heck the owner of the other dogs could be found and made to face her responsibility for your babies vet bills. You know it's sad, but folks who don't care about their furbabies, leave them outside in the cold and rain, let them roam offleash all the time, nothing happens to them, but people like us who try everything in our power to take care of our fur kids seems to have it all happen. Our babies get hurt, lost, stolen, etc all the time. It's a cryin shame! I hope U all are happy and healthy and doing great!

[kjc]

Glad your pup is going to be fine... just wanted to say that I don't take mine to dog parks... instead we go for walks and occassionally to the stores, or to a relatives' or friends' home. They are never off-leash unless they are in a fenced area. I just won't risk having them get hurt: there are frequent loose dogs in my neighborhood and wildlife and I feel best to keep them as safe as possible, even if it means depriving them of some freedoms other dogs may have. I think they are happy, not that they couldn't be happier..... like on a farm in Hawaii, lol, but I do the best I can.

And I don't think people who frequent dog parks are bad owners, not at all. It is just a risk I choose not to take with mine.

[Suze225]

Poor baby & poor Mom!!!! Things happen!! Just happy that everything is ok. You were probably more affected by it than your little Sophie!