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11-23-2011, 10:21 PM | #1 |
YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 342
| Feeling like a horrible mommy to Sophie Today my husband and I were at the dog park because we take Sophie once a week so she can be off of her leash and be safe...or so we thought that was the case. Sophie is pretty independent and tends to wander around with us and doesn't interact much with the other dogs - usually it is just a quick sniff and she continues walking around or sniffing the grass. She isn't aggressive toward the other dogs and tends to back away from them if they come running at her. Today we were minding our business waiting for a couple of dogs to enter into the park before we left, to avoid the entrance being hectic, we were waiting on the opposite corner from the gate so we could leave right after they came in. Bad idea...these 2 boston terriers came running through the gate and straight toward Sophie...backing her in a corner. Sophie put her tail between her legs and tried to get away from them, unfortunately the two dogs latched onto her, one on her ear and the other on her back leg - it all happened so fast. My husband was trying to pick Sophie up, the one on her leg let go but the stupid one on her ear just bit harder. I can still hear Sophie's scream and the look she gave me was pure fear. The owner finally came over and tried to shoo her dogs away but wasn't really trying that hard because the one was still trying to jump on my husband to get to her. We checked her over and there wasn't anything wrong with her (thank god) but we were going to get the owner's name anyway, just in case. Well, because my husband and I were so concerned with checking her over after the dogs were taken away we didn't notice that the lady had left and no one there knew who she was either. I feel horrible for the obvious reason that I didn't protect my baby and it was a horrible feeling watching her scream and hoping to god that the dog would just let go of her ear but the biggest reason...we didn't take her to the vet. She didn't have any reason to make us feel we needed to at first. She was shaky but calmed down once she was in the car with us and has been eating/playing around/drinking since it happened. She has even been chasing the cats away from her treats.. However, she has been quieter than usual at times - like she stayed in our bedroom and slept while we were downstairs, which she never does and I just noticed that the tip to the middle of one of her ear is bright red. I don't know what I am looking for. I just feel really guilty and stressed about what happened...I can't really afford a vet right now (I don't work because I quit to help with my mom - but she will go to the vet if she has to, we have a credit card for these things, just not the means to pay it off) and I didn't get the owner's name so I can't even make them pay to have her looked at. I have been giving her so many hugs and cuddles tonight and lots of extra mommy attention. I just can't get myself to not feel like it is my fault and every time she looks at me all I can picture is the face she made when she was scared and yelping...it almost felt like it was a "why are you letting this happen to me" kind of face...it really makes me feel like I failed her. I know her injuries are minimal and it could have been so much worse but I can't help but blame myself for not picking her up when those dogs came in the park, getting the dog to let go faster or not taking her straight to the vet or getting the owner's name. Right now she is sitting beside me happily chewing on her bully stick, but I can't help but wonder if all the extra cuddles I think she has needed are really just for me. |
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11-23-2011, 10:37 PM | #2 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: USA
Posts: 954
| 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. |
11-24-2011, 12:22 AM | #3 | |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Riverside, RI -- USA
Posts: 103
| Quote:
Parents are not perfect, hell, nobody is! You can just learn from this, and try not to let something like this happen again. In all honestly, it was an accident. Accidents happen and are not in your control. You did try to get the other owner's info. But I'm sure with all the commotion and stress that was going on it was hard. Just keep an eye on her ear. If it is red, or if there is an open cut, then I would definitely take her to the vet. The other dogs may not have their shots so you have to take precautions on that. Just give your pup a little extra love and hugs today. She knows you did your best and she isn't mad at you. Try not to be so hard on your self. I know it is hard, but cuddle up with your pup and just keep an eye on her!
__________________ Love Hugs Paw Prints Merry Xmas Keri & Little Lucky | |
11-24-2011, 07:13 AM | #4 |
Therapy Yorkies Work Donating Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Central, Florida
Posts: 3,863
| If you were a bad parent you would just shrug your shoulders and say 'Sh*** Happens , get over it !' I have actually heard a parent say that to a frightened child, that was kicked by another child ! I wanted to kick that dad and then I wanted to hug that kid and tell them how sorry I was that they got hurt. No matter how careful we are, things can go wrong, accidents can happen and we can not control every situation. Sadly the world is full of selfish people, bad pet owners, crime, sin and rudeness. All we can do is is be the best person we can be. We can be kind, responsible, polite, fair, honest, loyal, and loving. We should not judge ourselves incompetent, when things happen we are not responsible for. You did the best you could. You are a good person and Yorkie parent. Hugs
__________________ Teresa & Rubin, Gracie, Abba, Ginny Joy and Julia Rose Act like a dog, be kind, forgiving, and loyal. |
11-24-2011, 07:19 AM | #5 | |
YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Louisiana
Posts: 445
| Quote:
__________________ loving mother to Emme, Nigel and Marjarita RIP Gizmo and Lola | |
11-24-2011, 08:03 AM | #6 |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| You are NOT a horrible mommy at all. Accidents happen and it sounds like in this case you were lucky. I have seen some very rambunctious Boston Terrier's. They always tend to plummel other dogs and they have a different sort of language. I've noticed a lot of other breeds do not like them and their play styles. And it often, like you said, looks worse than it really is. I dogsit a Boston Terrier/Beagle mix and he's just not very good at communicating with other dogs. He can be way too rough and not know when to stop. The owner has stopped taking him to the dog park and worked on calming behaviors outside of the fence on a long line. Anyways, it's scary, no matter what! But honestly, since she seems like she's okay physically, she is probably picking up on your energy. When Nala (6lb yorkie) got "attacked" once at the dog park, she was shaken up, we walked out, checked her over and made sure she was okay. Then we went back into the park (once that dog was gone) so we did not immediately leave and cause it to have ended in a bad experience. Then she was absolutely fine and forgot about it. Dog parks can be wonderful things but unfortunately, there is a chance of something like this happening. I still frequent our dog parks before the good outweighs the bad for me. I would just mentally act like nothing happened; act normal! Be very happy, give her treats, but don't give her anymore attention than you normally would. Good luck - I hope Sophie is okay!
__________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier |
11-24-2011, 08:17 AM | #7 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 799
| Please don't blame yourself. Sometimes things happen we don't have any control over. You did everything you could considering how fast everything happened. It sounds like Sophie is fine - just a little shaken up. Don't beat yourself up. Just be glad she wasn't hurt anymore than she was. And have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
__________________ Hi from Oklahoma City from me and the girls: Holly, Lacey & Tinker Belle |
11-24-2011, 09:07 AM | #8 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: JONES,AL U.S.
Posts: 113
| Bless your heart! Don't beat yourself up mentally! Accidents DO happen and there is sometimes nothing we can do about it. Cesar Milan made a wonderful statement one time on one of his shows and it's soooo true. DOGS LIVE IN THE MOMENT! They take their cue from how we are feeling alot of times and if you feel guilty or worried, your Sophie will pick up on it and this may be the reason for her quietness. You are a kind and loving, caring mommy or you wouldn't be here posting about what happened. My mom and step dad used to raise Boston Terriers and they have a tendency to hang on when they attack and even jump dogs twice their own size, if not trained properly. Hence the need for early thorough training, but the owner should have stayed and took her medicine. She should be ashamed of herself for leaving like that! Chances are, you didn't catch her because she didn't want to be caught. She didn't want to have to pay a vet bill should your baby have needed one! Some pet owners are not responsible owners, and IMO, there should be some kind of law in place that screens perspective pet owners beore they are allowed to buy or adopt a pet. I've worked with rescue's for over 20 some odd years and it never fails to disgust me of the negligence of some owners, either toward their own pets, or other people's pet! I hope you, Sophie and family have a wonderful holiday and don't worry, if there were more people like you, and the wonderful ones here on yorkietalk, we wouldn't be having the HUGE problems that we do here in the states! I would just keep an eye on her in the bite spots for any open abrasions, cuts, swelling and redness. If all doesn't look right in next 24-48, then I would go to the vet with her, just in case. |
11-24-2011, 11:00 AM | #9 | |
YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 342
| Thanks guys. I am trying to not act worried around her, but it was hard to not give her extra attention because she had been staying with my aunt from Sunday-Tuesday night while my husband and I were away for our anniversary and I missed her a ton. Quote:
She has been fine with my in-laws' dogs at the moment and we will be going to my parents' house tonight with her because my mom is in the hospital and we need to go by and feed their dogs, so I am sure she will be fine with them as well. We are taking her to the vet later today as she has been shaking her head all day and even though it isn't as red as it was last night, it is starting to feel really warm and becoming a dark purple-y colour with a yellow crust. She has also been rubbing her ear on everything she can - which could be dangerous because earlier she tried to rub it on gravel and rough carpet and when she is laying down she will jump up out of nowhere and run in a few circles with her tail down and lay as close to me as she can. It is probably nothing major and I really can't afford vet appointments, but there is definitely something off with her and I don't want to take any chances. | |
11-24-2011, 11:05 AM | #10 |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| Awwww poor girl I agree I would rather be safe than sorry and take her in!
__________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier |
11-24-2011, 12:20 PM | #11 |
♥Love My Puppies!♥ Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: US
Posts: 5,786
| I'm sorry you had to go through seeing Sophie attacked like that. It must have been horrifying. I'm glad she wasn't seriously hurt. I hope everything goes well at the vet. Poor baby. You are doing all you can for her and you are a GOOD MOMMY.
__________________ RIP My Sweet Darling Angel Daisy 08/09/03 - 10/02/15, RIP My Sweet Baby Boy Teddy Bear 02/01/04 - 02/11/16 Photos HERE |
11-24-2011, 01:34 PM | #12 | |
Katie Scarlett's Mommy Donating Member | Quote:
You are a good Yorkie Mom and I know you love Sophie so much! I'm so sorry you had to go through that. And poor little Sophie going through it as well! I hope the vet gives her the ok. I'll be praying for you guys! And hugs to you!
__________________ Aymee & Katie Scarlett | |
11-24-2011, 01:49 PM | #13 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hanford, CA
Posts: 4,895
| I am very sorry this happened to your baby . This is in no way your fault , it happened very fast and nobody had time to think about it. I am glad she was not hurt badly. I am sure you guys wanted to get the heck out of there too, so it is easy to forget to talk to the owner. Obviously the owner had no control over her dogs ,that is the sad part. you are not a horrible mommy! The owner of those dogs was negligent and I would say she is to blame. I hope little Sophie will be ok and the vet bill will not be too costly. Give yourself time to recover from this bad experiece, Sophie needs time to recover too.
__________________ "No matter how little money & how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you rich." |
11-25-2011, 11:02 AM | #14 |
YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 342
| Thanks everyone. I feel better now, especially since we went the the vet yesterday evening - I would have updated sooner but my mom has been in the hospital all week and we went to visit her afterward. Good news - Apparently there was a small cut where the tooth must have gone in - the vet saw it on both sides of her ear and said she was surprised, but happy to see, that it didn't go through the ear. All the red and purple I saw was a bruise type thing from the bite and the yellow crusties were from the wound and was starting to show signs of infection - so we were given a cream and an antibiotic injection. She had a really mild fever when we took her in so we had to take her back this morning to see if we needed an antibiotic to take home - but thankfully the fever has gone down and we don't need to give her any oral anti-biotics, just the cream. Bad news - she was diagnosed with grade 1 LP in both knees last year and then we were told one of her knees has gone to grade 2 and the other was borderline grade 1 and 2 at her last vet appointment. Well, the vet thinks the trauma of the other dog grabbing at one of her legs has made it worse because the one that was borderline 1 & 2 is now grade 2 and worse than the other leg...at first we thought it was just a coincidence, but her vet appointment was less than a month ago and there hadn't been any changes in her knees up until the other day. We were told that surgery is an option in the future, that the stage of her LP doesn't need immediate surgery, but with it being both knees, it is something we should start looking into. Sadly, that is beyond what we can afford right now so we don't know what we are going to do for her. Now I really wish we could have gotten that person's name...I wouldn't have expected much, but she could have at least taken some sort of responsibility for this. We ended up talking to the people that run the park, and they said they would keep an eye out for her and the dogs, but I am not holding out much hope for this. I know it could have been a lot worse but Sophie seems more affected by the experience than her injuries...so refuses to go near other dogs that she doesn't know...and just wants to sleep and be alone. Thanks again for all of the reassurance. |
11-25-2011, 02:14 PM | #15 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| Stuff happens and we learn from it. I would not take your pup to the dog park anymore unless there is money available for immediate veterinary care. I wouldn't let my pup around other dogs until his accident insurance kicked in. We almost needed it too... Dogs parks are a nice idea, but it is so unpredictable. You just have no idea how those dogs are going to behave. Good that you went to the vet. All dog bites have to be assessed to make sure antibiotics aren't needed.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
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