On the fate of good dogs.
Today was my last day at OMSI, and it was surreal. I expected to be more nostalgic--it is, after all, a very bitter-sweet ending to an era--but instead I just didn’t care. You see, yesterday Duke attacked a Fed Ex guy, so I was a bit more distracted than anticipated.
I have no idea what’s going to happen to this dog. All Animal Control wants from us is to quarantine Duke for 10 days. He must be in his Kennel or in a separate room at all times, can only go outside on a leash and with a muzzle, and after that if he shows no signs of rabies then they fine us $500 and don’t bother us again unless there is a second incident. The Fed Ex guy, despite needing four stitches, won’t press any charges. The story could end there, but for two caveats: 1) home owners insurance says we can’t keep the dog, and 2) Mom is now terrified. Not just of Duke, but also the responsibility of owning him. I mean, if this happens again then Animal Control will take him and euthanize him, no doubt about it. We now only have two options: euthanize him now, or find a rescue that can handle him.
I am not optimistic, honestly. I saw too many dogs like this come in to the Humane Society when I worked there. Duke is 6, has bad arthritis, and has a history of biting. Even if they deem him fit for adoption, who would take him? I don’t know of any other rescues that can handle aggressive dogs, either, and the ones I do know of don’t want to deal with them.
It just kills me because this could have been prevented. Yes, Duke has always been scared of strangers and was abused before we got him, but before I moved out we had a great report going! I walked him, I tried to socialize him, and he seemed under control. He hasn’t had the attention he needs from the humans since then, I think, especially now that there‘s competition from Samba. It’s not surprising he’s becoming a crabby old man dog.
Needless to say, I’m kind of a wreck about it. Duke is the kind of canine buddy soul mate you only get once or twice in a lifetime. We’re going to try our best for him, but…well, I don’t have much hope at this point.
I have no idea what’s going to happen to this dog. All Animal Control wants from us is to quarantine Duke for 10 days. He must be in his Kennel or in a separate room at all times, can only go outside on a leash and with a muzzle, and after that if he shows no signs of rabies then they fine us $500 and don’t bother us again unless there is a second incident. The Fed Ex guy, despite needing four stitches, won’t press any charges. The story could end there, but for two caveats: 1) home owners insurance says we can’t keep the dog, and 2) Mom is now terrified. Not just of Duke, but also the responsibility of owning him. I mean, if this happens again then Animal Control will take him and euthanize him, no doubt about it. We now only have two options: euthanize him now, or find a rescue that can handle him.
I am not optimistic, honestly. I saw too many dogs like this come in to the Humane Society when I worked there. Duke is 6, has bad arthritis, and has a history of biting. Even if they deem him fit for adoption, who would take him? I don’t know of any other rescues that can handle aggressive dogs, either, and the ones I do know of don’t want to deal with them.
It just kills me because this could have been prevented. Yes, Duke has always been scared of strangers and was abused before we got him, but before I moved out we had a great report going! I walked him, I tried to socialize him, and he seemed under control. He hasn’t had the attention he needs from the humans since then, I think, especially now that there‘s competition from Samba. It’s not surprising he’s becoming a crabby old man dog.
Needless to say, I’m kind of a wreck about it. Duke is the kind of canine buddy soul mate you only get once or twice in a lifetime. We’re going to try our best for him, but…well, I don’t have much hope at this point.